Machines of Grace

Machines Of Grace is an American hard rock music band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band features two former members of Savatage, namely vocalist Zachary Stevens and drummer Jeff Plate. Zachary Stevens is also the vocalist for Circle II Circle and Jeff Plate is the drummer for the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Metal Church and violinist Mark Wood. The band plays varied genres of hard rock including; heavy metal, acoustic rock and melodic metal.

History

For a period of eight years from 1992 until August 2000, Zachary Stevens and Jeff Plate were members of Savatage. After four albums with the group, Zachary left in 2000 citing family reasons. During the winter of 2002/2003 Zak started his comeback, co-writing (with former Savatage lead singer Jon Oliva and guitarist Chris Caffery). The remaining members of Savatage eventually turned into the Trans Siberian Orchestra, of which Jeff Plate is currently the east coast band's drummer.

Zak and Jeff played in a band called Wicked Witch previously, with Boston area guitarist Matt Leff. Matt and Zak first met while attending Musicians Institute in Hollywood California. Upon graduating they moved to Boston Massachusetts and met Jeff. These three musicians have reunited under the band name "Machines Of Grace". When it was time to bring in a bassist, Chris Raposa was the first to get the call. Matt and Chris played together for several years in the Boston area metal band "Trigger Effect". Trigger Effect was chosen as one of the top unsigned bands in the USA by Sam Goody Record Stores, worked with Grammy winning producer Neil Kernon, and toured the Northeast as an opening act for Iron Maiden, Queensryche and Rob Halford.

When 13 songs were ready to be recorded for the Machines Of Grace album, producer/engineer Paul David Hager was brought in. Paul previously mixed Wicked Witch live and in the studio, so he was the first choice for the Machines Of Grace debut album. Paul has worked with many artists including The Goo Goo Dolls, Pink, Butch Walker, Megadeth, Miley Cyrus and Letters to Cleo.

The album was recorded at Pyramid Sound in Ithica New York, Studio Metronome in Nashua New Hampshire, Red Room Recorders in Tampa Florida and 37' Productions in Rockland Massachusetts. It was mixed at Skip Saylor Studios in Hollywood California and mastered at Sterling Sound in New York City.

The band is releasing their debut album, featuring 13 songs, worldwide in the Spring of 2009 and will do sporadic touring to support it.

Band members

Current members

Zachary Stevens − lead vocals
Jeff Plate − drums
Matt Leff − guitars
Chris Raposa − bass guitar

Discography

Studio albums

Machines Of Grace (2009)

References

External links