Machines Of Grace
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
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.
One of the hardest driving songs is “Psychotic,” which unleashes schizophrenic guitar riffs and furious drum beats. Twenty years later and a bit more seasoned than their Axis days, Machines Of Grace breathes new life into the songs that once roared on Lansdowne Street.
What would the ‘80s be without a power ballad? Here is where the Savatage influence comes into play with the heart-wrenching, love-gone-wrong ballads, ”This Moment,” and “This Time.” Zak Stevens bleeds his heart out with the acoustic finger picking of Matt Leff.
For those of you that like your metal a little bit heavier, Machines Of Grace does not disappoint with the Metal Church hard driving resemblance “Bleed.” The band also tries to pull off what Dokken did on “Hell To Pay” delivering two great versions of the same song; one acoustic and one with the band on the final acoustic track, “This Time.”
Overall, if you love the ‘80s era and Savatage, you will enjoy the debut of Machines Of Grace. It is good to see a band have a second chance in the industry after Grunge took over the city. The renditions of the Wicked Witch songs soar with the melodic vocals of Zak Stevens and guitar melodies of Matt Leff.
Track Listing:
1. Just A Game
2. Psychotic
3. Fly Away
4. Innocence
5. The Moment
6. Between The Lines
7. This Time
8. Breakdown
9. Soul To Fire
10. Promises
11. Bleed
12. Better Days
13. This Time (Acoustic)
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10