AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM ERIC CLAYTON / SAVIOUR MACHINE:
REGARDING THE “MASSACRE BUMBLE BEE VERSION OF LEGEND III:II” ; )
“Laughter separates us from despair and gives us the ability to love.” - Unknown
Hello friends... If you're reading this, I'll assume you're truly interested in knowing
THE FACTS about this unauthorized release, calling itself: "LEGEND PART III:II:"
If you’ve already purchased a copy of this “monstrosity,” my heart truly goes out
to you... ; ) I wish there was some way I could take it back, but you’ll have to ask
the “producers” & manufacturers of this “bootleg” for a refund, if you’d like one.
(Yes... that was a “not so very subtle suggestion” to demand your money back! ; )
This is only a "basic" outline of a far more detailed, nuanced & complicated story...
Most (“almost all”) of the full background behind this current situation is covered
with EXTENSIVE detail in my recently published book... To avoid this “statement”
becoming a "novel" itself, I'll have to encourage you to read my collective journals
sometime, if you’re really interested in the full complexities of the background, etc.
So... Without further ado... here are the basic facts about this particular CD release...
MCM Music & Massacre Records have manufactured / released a “version of III:II.”
This “version” is more “a compilation” of what I consider to be “random out takes &
demo recordings” from 2004... This CD is GROSSLY incomplete & misrepresentative
of what "III:II" actually sounds like today. What I can deduce from actually hearing
this CD, is the following... MCM and / or Massacre Records decided to hire A FEW
VERY BAD “engineers” to go through hundreds of takes from the recordings I did
in Sweden - Spring 2004. These "unknown engineers" chose SOME takes, TRIED to
put something together and attempted to "mix" something out of it... basically, the
recordings from 2004 have evolved into demo recordings, as far as I am concerned.
Since those sessions, I have re-recorded almost EVERYTHING... I have spent more
than 7,000 hours recording, choosing final takes, editing, etc, etc... This CD is NOT
"III:II" ...not even close... it is SO incomplete, it is difficult to even call it a "demo!" ; )
"Some" of what was recorded in Sweden IS actually being used on the real album.
About 45% of the guitars CJG recorded will be on the album... About 35% of the
drums Thomas recorded will be used... Only 30% of the vocals I recorded will be
used, and not a SINGLE vocal you hear on this CD is the actual vocal I've chosen.
Here is a “fairly” comprehensive list of technical FACTS, all SM fans should know:
______________________________________________________________________________
- This CD is missing the ENTIRE opening song - "Euphrates"
- This CD is missing over 50% of the final guitars... most of the
guitars you hear on this are not even the guitars I've chosen
to utilize... CJG was amazing to work with... his performances
were wonderful, but many of the arrangements have changed
since 2004... Most notably, this CD is missing ALL of the guitar
arrangements my brother Jeff and I are working on... when the
time is right, we will record these parts / arrangements together.
- Over 60% of the drums you hear on this CD have been re-recorded,
edited, replaced, re-programmed and/or are still yet to be recorded.
This is in NO way due to the drum performances... Thomas was an
absolute pleasure to work with... the fact is, arrangements have been
changed, or have "radically evolved" SINCE those recordings in 2004.
- Many of the “live drums” have yet to be performed & recorded by Sam West.
- This CD is missing over 65% of all the final percussive samples/programming.
In the track: “Armageddon,” the percussive programming is “totally absent.”
- There is NO bass guitar on this CD... bass has not yet been recorded.
Bass will be recorded when production resumes... by Charles Cooper.
- There is NO piano on this CD... arrangements have yet to be recorded.
Piano will be recorded when production resumes... by Nathan Van Hala.
- This CD is missing ALL of the choral arrangements which were recorded
in Germany 2004... it is also missing all the children’s choir I’ve recorded
since... I’m not exactly sure WHY all the choirs are missing from this CD?
I “thought” Massacre/MCM had back-up copies of the choral recordings
as well? Maybe they lost them? ; ) Maybe they “forgot” to put them in? ; )
Maybe their team of “crack engineers” couldn’t figure out where the choir
parts were “supposed to be placed?” ; ) I have no idea... what I do know is
this... I have them... They were recorded beautifully... I’ve spent a number
of hours layering them, editing them, placing them... they sound amazing!
- This CD is missing 100% of the ACTUAL vocals... ALL the lead vocals have
either been re-recorded or different "takes" were chosen for the actual album.
- Even the "wrong" vocals they chose and "tried to edit" are grossly incomplete.
- The vocals they chose and "attempted to edit,” were done so poorly, there is
actually a "joke vocal" which they MISSED and failed to EDIT OUT... it takes
place in the song: "The Final Rebellion" - To explain... after "botching" a vocal
take, at the end of a line, I yelled: "YEE-HAW... GIDDY-UP SATAN... C'MON
NOW!" ; ) - This was my way of letting CJG (engineer) know to stop the take...
I had made a mistake in the lyric... This should give you an idea of the SEVERE
lack of attention to detail, during their "editing process!" ; ) It is a joke... tell me,
how BAD of an engineer do you have to be to completely MISS a "joke vocal"
and LEAVE IT IN THE FINAL MIX? ; ) To me... This “moment/occurrence” is
the perfect example of how badly this CD was "thrown together" and just how
poorly it was "produced!" ; ) This "accident" is actually my "favorite" moment
on the entire CD... it's hilarious and it's just one hilarious moment of MANY! ; )
*Unfortunately... the actual album isn’t exactly intended for “comedic relief!” ; )
- The reverbs, compression & effects used on these "WRONG vocals" is terrible.
Not a SINGLE "choice" they made was “appropriate”...Nothing I would have
EVER done to a vocal... even DEMO VOCALS like these, don't deserve to be
treated with such "poor taste!" ; ) I can actually hear a “vocal pitch correction”
effect on many of the vocals... this "fake, processed" effect is loathsome to me;
I would never use pitch correction on ANY vocal, let alone, one of my own! ; )
- There are NO backing vocals on this CD. There are TONS of “BV’s” recorded.
- There are no final samples or final sound effects on this CD. Many recorded.
- The "orchestral mix" you hear is simply a ROUGH STEREO MIX containing
180 to 260 tracks of audio (depending on which song) - The final REAL MIX
of the orchestral arrangements is completely separated by track and EVERY
orchestral instrument is "placed" in its OWN sonic and harmonic "SPACE!"
- This CD is missing over 80 minutes of music... The REAL "III:II" has evolved
into 2 FULL CD's in length since those recordings in Spring 2004... what this
CD has is less than HALF of the running time. None of the segues between
songs were connected properly... there are NO actual "cross fades" at all...?
- NOTHING you actually hear on this CD was chosen by ME... the guitars,
drums and vocal takes "they" chose are NOT the takes I've chosen... what
you hear are ALL takes I have "discarded," or "edited" since Spring 2004.
- Now... let's discuss the packaging... the "artwork!" ; ) YELLOW... really? No
SM fan in their right mind would EVER believe I would choose YELLOW!!!
From now on, SM will officially refer to this CD as “the bumble bee version.” ; )
- There is absolutely NO booklet, no lyrics, no CREDITS... I wonder WHY? ; )
- The "artwork" is just the panels of I, II & “III:I” put together... The ACTUAL
artwork includes 6 more panels, ABOVE the three previous images together.
The OFFICIAL artwork is currently being PAINTED by hand... it's absolutely
amazing work and will show the ENTIRE, completed image as one. Even the
previous 3 images are being REDONE in my original vision for the artwork...
The "digital, graphic art" used in I, II & “III:I” was a pale, demo version of my
vision for the artwork... the "idea" was there... the "execution," never realized.
- Again... The artwork / packaging (or, lack thereof ; ) for this version of "III:II"
is a BLARING indication of just how UNOFFICIAL it is; unauthorized, cheap,
thrown together, grossly incomplete, misrepresentative and totally WRONG! ; )
- For the record... without revealing "too much" about it, the packaging/artwork
planned for the REAL "III:II" is COMPLETELY different than this cheap version.
The packaging & artwork will be so unique, beautiful and distinctive, there will
be absolutely NO QUESTION as to the validity and legitimacy of the product...
- When THE REAL THING is completed and released, the first edition pressing
will be LIMITED, HAND NUMBERED & SIGNED... likely, only 3000 copies...
- Please keep in mind, SM has been working on the actual production for the past
SEVEN YEARS since these demo recordings in 2004... this CD is a mere "shadow"
of what it actually IS... I would have to equate this CD to a "first draft" of a script,
NOTHING more... it is a faint, distant "glimpse" at a FAR greater image/picture.
*For comparison... Even the mere “rough segment mixes” I released in 2007 (over
4 YEARS AGO) sound more complete and FAR superior... I did those little mixes
in a few HOURS... Even the most “novice” SM fan can listen to these samples &
HEAR a distinct difference in “production value.” By all means... have a listen...
http://www.seventhcircle.net/legend.htm - I don’t believe there’s any question? ; )
On top of all the facts I've listed above, Massacre and MCM "produced" this CD
without my authorization, my consent or my involvement... To call this release
a SM "album" is a crime against the consumer... their attempts to advertise this
CD as the actual "Legend Part III:II" is CRIMINAL! It’s a gross “injustice” to the
actual production, and FAR worse, it is a grave injustice to our fans... I consider
this a flagrant LIE by professional liars and a disgusting act of THEFT by master
thieves... pure deception, false advertising and thievery at its worst... its ugliest...
It is the act of cowards, "undermining schemers" and sick opportunists... "Men"
acting with ONE sole intention... TO STEAL YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY!
They are advertising a “commercial product” as something IT IS NOT and they
are "banking on" the fact you will purchase it! They know the loyalty/dedication
of Saviour Machine's fan base around the world... they know that many SM fans
will be completely "fooled" by this release, simply because they are uninformed.
They know that due to a certain level of "fanaticism" among our fans, they will
STILL sell thousands of copies of this illegitimate, unauthorized, ILLEGAL CD,
even after fans ARE informed... Despite KNOWING what it is, KNOWING it is
NOT "III:II," many SM fans will still purchase it, simply out of a sheer "curiosity"
or a "need" to have it... This is what I find most "disturbing" about the release of
these "out takes & partial demos," being falsely advertised as "Legend Part III:II!"
The hideous truth is... The men behind this release... the people who will profit
from the sales of this release are LYING TO YOU, “the consumer”...they are in
fact, "counting on" your fanaticism and they are "attempting" TO EXPLOIT IT!
It saddens me and it makes me sick to my stomach, knowing our dedicated fans
are being taken advantage of in such a maliciously motivated, carefully calculated
and undeniably under-minded way... put simply, it is morally & ethically wrong!
(Then again... when have you EVER known or heard of record companies, agents
and/or music industry managers acting with a faint shred of morality / ethics? ; )
In closing... On behalf of SM and the brilliant, talented artists/musicians I’ve had
& have the privilege of working with, we ask that you DO NOT SUPPORT THIS
RELEASE! DO NOT GIVE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY TO THIEVES AND
LIARS... If your curiosity and/or "need" to hear this "bastardized," unauthorized,
grossly incomplete version is so strong you "must" hear it... If your "fanaticism"
is so overpowering, you can’t stand it and "have to" listen, (no matter how bad
it is, no matter how horribly misrepresentative of the ACTUAL production it is)
then by all means... please do so... BUT... DO NOT PAY FOR IT... SAVE YOUR
MONEY... THIS CD IS NOT WORTH YOUR MONEY... please listen for FREE!
Here is a direct link to download the ENTIRE album (in its full "quality" ; ) for
absolutely NOTHING... As I stated, there is no artwork in this CD... There are
are absolutely no lyrics... it contains no fancy booklet. By downloading the CD
HERE, you are getting EXACTLY what Massacre & MCM have released... You
are missing absolutely NOTHING in comparison to the "hard copy." What you
ARE doing is saving your money and refusing to hand it directly to criminals. ; )
If you choose to wait for the TRUE, complete, official SM version of "III:II," we
THANK YOU and we DEEPLY appreciate your respect for our artistic vision!
Finally... As much as I wanted/strived to maintain this "little surprise," it has now
become extremely important we (SM) "reveal" a VERY special announcement to
our beloved fans around the world... those who have waited SO very patiently &
steadfast... those who've supported the project with unwavering faith & loyalty...
THERE WILL NEVER BE A "LEGEND PART III:II" ...IT DOES NOT EXIST!!!
(don't "flip out" ...just continue to read on... I will explain in extensive detail... ; )
Those of you who have read my journals (only 600 people) know that "LEGEND
PART III:I" was never "intended" for release... "LEGEND PART III" should have
never been "broken apart" and "split," as it was "strongly suggested" I MUST do.
I was pressured by Massacre and MCM to do so... I allowed it to happen in early
2001 and I have regretted it EVERY DAY since! For over a decade now, I've lived
with that mistake... the decision still "haunts me." Those of you who have had the
opportunity to read my book know the full background of the story... For the rest
of you, this is probably "shocking news," but it also comes with wonderful news...
As it was always intended to be released, "LEGEND PART III" WILL ONE DAY
BE RELEASED AS A "SINGLE PROJECT" ...TOGETHER... AS IT SHOULD BE!!!
What you have known as "Legend PART III:I" for the past decade, you may now
consider a "very solid demo!" ; ) It is currently being RE-PRODUCED with all the
missing "intended elements" intact... Though the production of "III:II" has been in
and out of production for 10 years, "off & on forever," (a long, complicated story;
please refer to "Eric Clayton - The Collective Journals / 1997 - 2009" for details...)
IT IS STILL IN PRODUCTION... Don't believe everything you've "heard!" ; ) I've
also read and heard the news that "Eric stopped working on it many years ago."
DON'T BUY IT FOR A SECOND... It's simply not true... I should know, right? ; )
"LEGEND PART III" - THE OFFICIAL RELEASE will contain 3 full length CD's:
(Disc 1 - formerly known as "III:I" / Disc 2 & Disc 3 - the long anticipated "III:II")
YES... THIS IS REAL! ; ) Don't ask when it will be finished... I have absolutely no
idea? ; ) But... I can tell you this... As you probably know by now, SM is currently
performing (and in the process of booking) a number of intimate acoustic shows.
Though we'd "hoped" for more concerts in 2011... due to a number of factors, the
majority of these rare performances will be booked in 2012... SM is performing for
a wide range of "reasons;" many/most of these reasons are very intimate, personal,
Spiritual reasons... ONE of our objectives is to generate enough revenue to resume
AND COMPLETE the production of "LEGEND PART III!" Currently... the line-up
intact is THE single greatest "incarnation" of Saviour Machine EVER!!! We are the
closest BAND we've ever been... We'll continue to "build upon" this intimacy, we
will continue to gain strength, generate income, and TOGETHER... AS A BAND...
WE WILL RESUME & COMPLETE THE PRODUCTION OF "LEGEND PART III!"
Thank you for your time, your support, and your interest in knowing the truth...
Take care / God Bless you all... Eric Clayton / Saviour Machine - August 9, 2011