Reviews
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Wednesday, 23 December 2009 02:13 |
"The Moment is the sort of track that has "AOR hit single" written all over it". "Zak Stevens' voice is excellent as always and is certainly a highlight of this album". "Guitarist Matt Leff really shows his talents throughout the album and from what I've read about him and those who know him, he is very under-rated, has definitely paid his dues, and deserves his share of the spotlight".
To read the full review, visit http://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/detail.php3?id=5952 |
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Goldmine Magazine - 4 Star Review |
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Monday, 10 August 2009 21:41 |
Machines Of Grace
Independent Release
Grade: ★★★★
The esteemed metal band Savatage may never
record again, but at least key past and present
personnel — Jon Oliva, Chris Caffery and Zak
Stevens — all continue to make music. Stevens, lead
vocalist for Savatage from 1992 to 2000, actually
fronts two major projects these days: Circle II Circle
(which has released four albums) and the new
Machines Of Grace (which includes Metal Church
and Trans-Siberian Orchestra drummer Jeff Plate,
along with journeymen Matt Leff on guitar and Chris
Rapoza on bass.) Boasting broader appeal than most
other bands on those players’ resumes, the self-titled
debut from Machines Of Grace was produced by Paul
David Hager, whose credits include Sammy Hagar,
the Goo Goo Dolls and even Pink.
In fact, the album’s diversity may startle some
headbangers. In addition to solid anthems that
straddle rock and metal, less heavy songs such as
“The Moment” and “This Time” give Machines of
Grace unexpected depth. The acoustic “Innocence,”
despite its status as a ballad, packs almost as
much power as the thundering “Psychotic” and
mid-paced monsters “Fly Away” and “Between
the Lines” — thanks to Stevens’ muscular
and unwavering delivery. On the other hand,
“Breakdown” rocks like it’s 1988 all over again.
— Michael Popke |
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Tuesday, 28 July 2009 00:00 |
Machines of Grace - Album Review
By Deb Rao
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
During the heyday of metal in 1989 Boston, one band that ruled the Lansdowne
area metal clubs such as Axis and Bills Bar was Wicked Witch. The golden vocals
of Zak Stevens and catchy in-your-face guitar-driven melodies earned the band
a loyal following with metal fans in the Hub.
They say what comes around goes around, and 20 years later Wicked Witch has
taken on a second name, Machines of Grace, which features Zak Stevens (vocals,
Circle II Circle, Savatage), Matt Leff (guitars), Chris Rapoza (bass), and
Jeff Plate (drums,Trans Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, Metal Church.
Machines Of Grace has just released its debut self-titled album, which features
renditions of the early Wicked Witch’s catalog plus some new songs, too.
Opening Wicked Witch song, ”Just A Game” sets the tone for this
guitar solo-oriented album, featuring melodic vocals and love-gone-bad lyrics. |
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Read more...
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Friday, 24 July 2009 00:00 |
Machines of Grace - Album Review
By Greg Prato - All Music Guide 2009
Try imagining what a union of two former members of Savatage would sound like,
and you'd think long epics in the grand prog metallist tradition, right? Well,
judging from the self-titled debut release from Machines of Grace, the answer
is not exactly. Featuring former Savatage members Zak Stevens (vocals) and Jeff
Plate (drums), Machines of Grace do possess an unmistakable '80s flair about
them -- but with a much more succinct and mainstream rock-based songwriting style
(and with a decidedly more modern production to boot), cases in point being such
tracks as the King's X-esque "The Moment" (which is directly comparable
to the aforementioned band's early classic "Goldilox"), the acoustic
guitar-driven "Innocence," and the riff-heavy "Fly Away." Possessing
elements of both vintage and modern metal, Machines of Grace just may find themselves
picking up fans of both hard-rockin' styles with their self-titled debut.
3.5 Stars
As originally seen here. |
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Babylon Magazine Album Review |
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Tuesday, 14 July 2009 18:30 |
Genere:
Metal
Etichetta:
Autoproduzione
Tracce:
13
Nuova band nata da una costola dei Savatage. Della dipartita Zak Stevens e Jeff Plate, in un momento di pausa tra i loro svariati progetti, trovano il tempo di formare un nuovo ensemble. Coadiuvati da Matt Leff, chitarrista dotato di tecnica non indifferente, e da Chris Rapoza al basso, i due ex Savatage realizzano un piacevole dischetto di robusto heavy rock. Particolare attenzione è stata dedicata alla melodia, tanto da rendere la prova di Stevens più efficace e varia, di quella svolta con i Circle II Circle. "Machines Of Grace" contiene brani ancorati ad un suono legato allo stile degli anni '80, ed altri che si rivolgono ad un pubblico più attento alle sonorità moderne. Nei contenuti l'album non stride, anzi l'apporto di Leff è ragguardevole per la sua capacità di sapersi adeguare a seconda della situazione musicale. La struttura dei brani predilige un andatura cadenzata, che rappresenta lo stile che Stevens predilige. Per chi apprezza il singer americano, nonostante le non esaltanti prove con i Circle II Circle, avrà modo di apprezzare i Machines Of Grace. Dateci un ascolto senza remore.
Fight for the rock
Originally seen on http://www.babylonmagazine.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6229&Itemid=0 |
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Sunday, 12 July 2009 00:00 |
3.5 Stars
The members of Machines of Grace, newly formed metal band from Boston, might
not enjoy reading this, but their self-titled debut isn’t going to make
anyone’s jaw drop. I have to choose my words delicately (which seems odd
when describing a metal band) but that last thing anyone wants is four Boston
rockers after them. Machines of Grace don’t play exceptionally fast, they
don’t sound especially heavy and their solos aren’t stunningly epic.
That’s not a knock against them or the album. The music just doesn’t
provoke an instant, visceral reaction.
Machines of Grace grows on you, and that’s even better. Being the fastest,
loudest, heaviest or any other superlative isn’t a guarantee of quality.
Even Metallica eased up on the speed metal. Nobody likes a one-trick pony. Not
for very long at least.
It might seem like having to grow on listeners is an unenviable position but
it’s not a problem for Machines of Grace. Though their songs all fall under
the umbrella of “metal,” they exist in all gradations of “metal.” Acoustic,
hard and alternative/modern rock, they can do it all equally well. “Soul
To Fire” sounds mostly like hard rock but mixes in an alternative feel. “Innocence” is
a steady, driving acoustic track. “The Moment” is solid modern rock
track. This is a CD you can keep in your stereo for a few days without growing
tired of it.
The freshness that Machines of Grace maintains is due in large part to Matt Leff’s
guitar playing. Just listening to him play, it’s easy to hear that his
sensibilities and tastes are not confined by his band’s chosen genre. He
does employ some hot metal licks when appropriate, but he doesn’t rely
on shredding to impress.
The album’s lyrics thread the theme of confusion, and often self-delusion,
which isn’t ground breaking for a metal band. Though the lyrics are straightforward,
they rarely sound blunt. Overwrought lyrics are a pitfall it seems for many bands
of the genre. Machines of Grace isn’t going to win any Pulitzers, but their
lyrics are simple (not a bad thing) without being obvious. Zak Stevens’ singing,
like the lyrics, isn’t the best you’ve heard but it also isn’t
the worst. His voice was made for fronting a metal band, but many people have
been given that gift and are currently using it. Fortunately for him, he has
a better than average band playing behind him. It should be noted that Stevens’ best
work comes on “Better Days.”
Yes, Machines of Grace is comprised of veteran musicians, but this is still their
debut album. And it’s a damn fine one from beginning to end. Hopefully
this Machines of Grace is an indication of good things to come.
Dennis Mersmann MuzikReviews.com staff writer
July 12, 2009
© MuzikReviews.com
Originally seen here:
http://www.muzikreviews.com/reviews.php?ID=692 |
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