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
Lilith/Eve
Machines of Loving Grace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A shoddy simulation
Of paradise in leopard tights
There's a sinking fascination
With the neon light
And inside inside it's war all the time
With the budding blonde hookers
Desire's a violent jackhammer of the heart
When the world descends into helter skelter
And the girls crawl in for shelter
Lilith/Eve I'm looking for something
Come together over me
I don't know what I want
A wife or a lover
I'm looking for something in between
I'm talking blood on grass
An overwrought suburbanite heart attack
And paint it all black
Because the end is accelerating back to the beginning
And everybody's falling in line
With the balding blind hustlers in their heroin hovels
Giving dollar sucks inside continentals
With the radios blaring out helter skelter
And the creatures crawl in for shelter
Lilith/Eve I'm looking for something
Come together over me
I don't know what I want
A knife or a lover
Come together over me
In the song "Lilith/Eve" by Machines of Loving Grace, the lyrics describe a dark and gritty world filled with desire, violence, and chaos. The singer is searching for something, but they don't know exactly what they want - maybe a wife or a lover, or something in between. The imagery suggests a kind of dystopian society where people are consumed by their base impulses, and there is no clear distinction between good and evil or right and wrong.
The first verse paints a picture of a neon-lit city where the singer is drawn to a "shoddy simulation" of paradise embodied by leopard-clad women. There is a sense of danger and uncertainty as desire becomes a "violent jackhammer of the heart" and the world descends into "helter skelter." The second verse delves deeper into this dystopian landscape, with references to blood on grass and suburban heart attacks. The final lines of the song suggest a plea for connection and understanding: "Lilith/Eve I'm looking for something / Come together over me / I don't know what I want / A knife or a lover / Come together over me."
Overall, the lyrics of "Lilith/Eve" explore themes of desire, uncertainty, and chaos in a dark, dystopian world. The use of biblical names adds a layer of mythic resonance, suggesting that these themes are timeless and universal.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm talking darkest night
I'm referring to the darkest moments of life
A shoddy simulation
A poorly made imitation
Of paradise in leopard tights
An attempt to recreate a paradise-like feeling with flashy clothing
There's a sinking fascination
There's a deep-seated interest that steadily declines
With the neon light
With the bright, artificial lights
And inside inside it's war all the time
There's constant conflict and turmoil within one's mind
With the budding blonde hookers
With the young, inexperienced prostitute women
And their decadent art
And their indulgent and excessive way of life
Desire's a violent jackhammer of the heart
The feeling of desire is intense and aggressive
When the world descends into helter skelter
When the world falls into chaos and confusion
And the girls crawl in for shelter
The women seek refuge in a safe haven
Lilith/Eve I'm looking for something
I am searching for a specific type of woman, represented by Lilith and Eve
Come together over me
I want these women to unite for my benefit
I don't know what I want
I'm unsure of what I truly desire
A wife or a lover
I can't decide if I want a traditional partner or a more intimate relationship
I'm looking for something in between
I want a relationship that is a blend of both traditional and intimate
I'm talking blood on grass
I'm describing a violent scene
An overwrought suburbanite heart attack
An exaggerated reaction to the mundane
And paint it all black
To darken and cover up the unpleasant aspects
Because the end is accelerating back to the beginning
The end is coming fast, and things are going back to where they started
And everybody's falling in line
Everyone is conforming and following the crowd
With the balding blind hustlers in their heroin hovels
With the aging and oblivious drug dealers in their seedy living spaces
Giving dollar sucks inside continentals
Providing sexual favors in exchange for money, inside luxury vehicles
And the creatures crawl in for shelter
People scramble for protection from danger
A knife or a lover
I can't decide if I want to be with someone or harm them
Come together over me
I want women to unite for my personal benefit
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MICHAEL BERNARD FISHER, SCOTT BENZEL, STUART B. KUPERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
scarybaldguy
20 years old and this entire album still hits harder than almost anything you'll find today. #kidsthesedays
Arthur G
Yeah, man. Concentration is epic album!
Khanh Quan Tran
true that brother
olasol
Thanks for posting the entire album. By far MOLG were my favorite band during the era of "lords of Acid", "Genitorturers", "Sleep Chamber" and "My Life With the Thrill KIll Kult". Only got to see them once in Boston.......check out "God Lives Underwater"......my second favorite discovery of that era.
figureheaduk
The song for a rainy night in the electronic city..
Geoff Kelly
Which is me tonight.
Zorgoon
wow, this song has lyrics that tell a story and make you think. kind of reminds me of The Crow. Skeevie, grimy, dark.
Mystychrysm The Human Prism
Hands down my favorite album by an American band!!! This whole album is so great and goes so well with KMFDM who were my first industrial love. Concentration has held up better than anything else, industrial or not, because it has such intricacies in a mix of 80s EbM, 90s Industrial, and a futuristic yet timeless vibe. Plus the lyrics and vocals are to die for (or to)...off into the smoking ruins of an apocalyptic wasteland of occult heroes and heroin nodding visions.
Arthur G
When I've been listened it for the first time, I thought this one is from KMFDM "Nihil" and Raymond Watts was on the vox. But when I've found who was the real artist I admitted that MOLG is way more complex and darker than KMFDM. Concentration is a industrial masterpiece. This will be a great soundtrack fit for some dystopian Vampire the Masquerade universe for sure. Goosebumps!
Ben Campbell
If Neuromancer ever gets turned into a movie, this song better be in the soundtrack.