Machines of Grace
| Machines of Grace | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Boston, MA, United States |
| Genres | Hard rock |
| Years active | 2009-present |
| Associated acts |
Circle II Circle Savatage Metal Church Trans-Siberian Orchestra |
| Website | www.machinesofgrace.net |
| Members |
Zak Stevens Jeff Plate Matt Leff Chris Rapoza |
Machines of Grace is an American hard rock 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 2000, Zachary Stevens and Jeff Plate were members of Savatage. After four albums and several world tours with the group, Zachary left citing family reasons. During the winter of 2002 Zak started his own band called Circle II Circle, 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 a founding member and is currently the east coast band's drummer.
Zak and Jeff played in a band called Wicked Witch previously. With Mark Stewart on bass 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 Rapoza was called. 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, Queensrÿche 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. 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 Ithaca, 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 released their debut album, featuring 13 songs, worldwide in the summer of 2009 and plays live sporadically.
Band members
Current members
- Zachary Stevens − lead vocals
- Jeff Plate − drums
- Matt Leff − guitars
- Chris Rapoza − bass guitar
Discography
Studio albums
- Machines Of Grace (2009)
See also
- Savatage − Stevens sung lead vocals on four studio albums, Plate played drums on three studio albums.
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra − Stevens and Plate tour with the group
- Metal Church - Plate is the drummer
- Circle II Circle − Stevens is the singer