Machines of Loving Grace was an industrial rock band from Tucson, Arizona, … Read Full Bio ↴Machines of Loving Grace was an industrial rock band from Tucson, Arizona, United States.

Formed in 1989 as Machines of Loving Grace (named for a Richard Brautigan poem), the original lineup consisted of Scott Benzel (vocals), Stuart Kupers (guitar and bass), and Mike Fisher (keyboards), with Brad Kemp (drums) added shortly thereafter.

Mammoth Records released their demo as the band's label debut without any rerecording in 1991. Their self-titled album Machines of Loving Grace was followed by two EP singles- Rite of Shiva and 1992's Burn Like Brilliant Trash which featured Trent Reznor remixes.

Two years later, the band released Concentration. It continued their signature sound, but was more refined in the combination of beat- and bass-heavy riffs, with hard edged guitar. With the release of two videos, the band was able to get national-level MTV airplay, and join in the industrial rock wave that was ushered in by Nine Inch Nails.

1994 saw a new song by the band, Golgotha Tenement Blues featured on the soundtrack to The Crow.

In 1995, Machines of Loving Grace released their third album, Gilt. This record was marked by an increased guitar presence. New band members included David Suycott (formerly of Stabbing Westward and Spies Who Surf) on drums, Ray Riendeau (bass) and Tom Coffen (guitar).

The song Richest Junkie Still Alive was included on the soundtrack to Hackers. The song Tryst was released on the ill-fated MegaMan Soundtrack. Furthermore, various mixes of three of their songs—Perfect Tan, Butterfly Wings, and Lilith/Eve—were featured on the '95 horror Devour. Butterfly Wings was also featured on the television show Due South, in the episodes Chicago Holiday and Flashback.

In 1997, the band was working on a new record, but before it was completed the band broke up. This was precipitated by trouble at the label, and Benzel's desire to work on other projects, among other reasons. A new album was to be called Love Scenes at the Slave Market, but after a fruitless search for a label (Mammoth was in the process of being sold), the project was abandoned.

As of 2006, Benzel is involved with an electronic band called Soulo. Mike Fisher is currently with Amish Rake Fight.

In 2008, Butterfly Wings from 1993's Concentration was featured on the soundtrack of the motion picture Punisher: War Zone.

Previous Members:
Scott Benzel: vocals (1989-1997)
Stuart Kupers: guitar and bass (1989-1995)
Mike Fisher: keyboards (1989-1995)
Brad Kemp: drums (1989-1995)
Ray Riendeau: bass (1995-1997)
David Suycott: drums (1995-1997)
Kevin Doc Sullivan: keyboards (1995-1997)

Discography:
Studio Albums
1991 - Machines of Loving Grace
1993 - Concentration
1995 - Gilt

Remix EPs
1991 - Rite of Shiva
1992 - Burn Like Brilliant Trash

Singles
1991-1992
-- X-Insurrection
-- Rite of Shiva
-- Burn Like Brilliant Trash
1993
-- Perfect Tan (Bikini Atoll)
-- Butterfly Wings
-- If I Should Explode
1994
-- Golgotha Tenement Blues
1995-1996
-- Richest Junkie Still Alive
-- Suicide King

Acceleration
Machines of Loving Grace Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I feel like I'm about out of hell
I feel my cage is shrinking
I can see the light from a prison cell
I can feel the world weeping
Understand me
Understand me

Release - Acceleration

When I feel like I'm about out of hell
I can feel my cage shrinking
I see the light in the cancer cell
I can feel the world weeping

Understand me
Understand me
White light inside of me
Acceleration all around

'Til it don't seem
Like I'm moving at all
'Til it don't seem
Like I'm moving at all

Got caught raping an angel
Got caught stealing
Fire from the sky
Got caught raping an angel

Caught, released and I cry
Release - Acceleration
Into the arm
The feelings are

Into the arm

The feelings are
Down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics for Machines of Loving Grace's song "Acceleration" are raw and emotional, delving into themes of imprisonment, release, and acceleration. The beginning of the first verse speaks to the feeling of being trapped, with the singer feeling like they're in a cage and that it's shrinking around them. However, despite this feeling of confinement, they can see a light and feel the world weeping. The chorus repeats the line "understand me" twice before introducing the concept of "release - acceleration", hinting at a desire to break free and move forward.

The second verse begins similarly to the first, with the singer feeling trapped in their own body, as though they're in a cancerous cell. They can still see the light and feel the world's pain, though, and the chorus continues with the repeating line "understand me" before introducing the concept of "white light inside of me", which may represent hope or salvation. The final lines of the song describe the singer being caught for terrible deeds, including stealing fire from the sky and raping an angel. They cry out for release and acceleration, finding solace in the powerful, emotional arm of the music.

Line by Line Meaning

When I feel like I'm about out of hell
When I feel like I'm almost out of a bad situation

I feel my cage is shrinking
I feel trapped and controlled

I can see the light from a prison cell
I can sense hope even while stuck in a difficult place

I can feel the world weeping
I sense the pain and suffering of others

Understand me
I want others to empathize with my situation

White light inside of me
I feel a sense of spiritual energy

Acceleration all around
I sense that things are moving forward rapidly

'Til it don't seem Like I'm moving at all
Even with rapid change, I feel stuck and stagnant

Got caught raping an angel
I made a grave mistake and hurt someone innocent

Got caught stealing Fire from the sky
I tried to take something powerful that wasn't meant for me

Got caught raping an angel
I made a grave mistake and hurt someone innocent