I know HM Records is an extension of this fine magazine, and I know it would be the polite thing to do to only say nice things about this video -- but I'm an 80 year old woman, I don't have time to play polite games. This video stinks and so does 5/6 of what this video stands for. I'll give it a one-out-of-six rating, since all the so-called "artists" here do talk about God and there is a good old-fashioned altar call at the end (God bless Disciple's Kevin Young; but someone please tell his mother that he needs a haircut.). Whoever originated the saying, "You can't judge a book by its cover," obviously hasn't seen this video. One look at the picture of Eric Clayton's dirty hands holding this bloody mask will tell you that we're talking plain old evil here. I don't know how a face painted white with a turquoise jewel on the forehead can bring Good News. As far as I can tell, Saviour Machine is the resurrection of Beli Ligosa or some sick Halloween prank. While Mr. Clayton does say some intelligent things about art, performance, and the role of music in a dark culture, I'm not fooled into thinking that God could use this. It's just too scary. For instance, the one song we almost see the entire performance of is aptly named "Killer." How could the Good Lord use a song called "Killer?"
The three Disciple boys, even though they're from the Deep South, are shown taking their Cain-raising antics to the country of Germany. I don't know why this video couldn't focus on more bands from this Christian nation. Extol is from Norway and Kohllapse is from Australia. I'm starting to wonder if this Christian rock movement isn't part of a worldwide, theocratic, occult conspiracy. Is it a coincidence that the one American band featured on its home soil is called "Mindrage?" I don't think God would name one of His bands with the word "rage" in it. After all, rage is another word for anger. (We all know that anger is wrong!) Even though the videos by Mindrage and Kohllapse are titled with biblical words -- "Sewn In Weakness" and "Thorn" -- they are filled with clenched teeth yelling and fist-raising screams, respectively. Even the Disciple video, "I Just Know," features two of the members jumping up and body slamming each other. Now, while I appreciate a good body check in hockey -- along with blood, hair and teeth on the ice -- I don't think violence has any place in sacred music.
Not everyone appreciated my review of Living Sacrifice in the last issue, but I cannot deviate and say that this is a positive review, either. I would never allow my grandson to watch this video, nor would I show this to my heathen neighbors (since it would communicate to them the false notion that they could look just like the world if they became a Christian). My best advice is to use this video to tape a Jimmy Swaggart sermon.
