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 Wickedwitch 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 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, 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 Wickedwitch 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 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.
Twitter Updates
MACHINES OF GRACE, SIGN ON WITH NEW AGENCY, PLOT PLANS FOR 2010. www.myspace.com/machinesofgrace
01:50 PM January 11
saw you guys@ the house of blues in Cleveland..Great Job!
Sep 28, 10:07 PM
I know you guys were just here on 9/25 but once was not enough. If you have other shows booked, please let us know. Thanks
Sep 26, 10:06 AM
Just saw you guys Thursady night at HOB Cleveland. You guys rock! Great energy, great sound. We listened to the cd all the way back home. Hope to see you again soon.
Sep 20, 07:53 AM
Sounds great guys!!
Aug 26, 01:43 PM
Hi MOG, can I contact you guys? can you contact Me? I'm interested on an Interview for My Blog, please Check it out!...good luck to you all! :
http://musicaenprogreso.blogspot.com/
Jul 07, 07:01 AM
Just downloaded the album from Amazon. Loving it! Great job guys!
Jun 26, 08:49 PM
I'm really digging the new CD. I'm writing a review of it now, and can't wait to actually get the 'plastic' in my hands. Great work guys...though I do think you should have put more heavy tunes on the disc, and left a few of the laid back types off....but that's being bloody picky! l-)
Jun 07, 11:02 PM
you guys are awsome , i'm a big fan and love to see you guys come to the area