1. Savage Grace were Detroit's progressive rock band of the late '60s. With… Read Full Bio ↴1. Savage Grace were Detroit's progressive rock band of the late '60s. With chops galore and a background rooted in jazz and R&B (with some good old-fashioned Detroit rock & roll thrown in for good measure), Savage Grace stood out from the rest of the Michigan bands as something special and as something quite eclectic. With Guitarist Ron Koss, keyboardist John Seanor, and drummer Larry Zack as the nucleus of a jazzy trio called Scarlet Letter (with two albums on Mainstream), the addition of vocalist/bassist Al Jacquez transformed the group into Savage Grace. The band was soon signed to Reprise and released its eponymous debut album in 1969. Upon moving to Los Angeles the following year, the group embarked on a second album, which took almost two years to complete. By 1972, the trail had ended and the bandmembers went their separate ways. Savage Grace never achieved the success that seemed like their due; certainly their musicianship was top-notch and their songwriting was good enough, but in the long run they were perhaps a bit too eclectic to find a mainstream audience.

2. Savage Grace is a heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. founded in 1981 by Christian Logue. The first official line up was Dwight Cliff-Vocals, Brian East-Bass, Dan Finch-Drums and Christian Logue-Guitars.
Savage Grace performed several live shows with this lineup and recorded several demos.
One track from these early demos, Scepters Of Deceit was featured on the Metal Massacre 2 compilation album.
In 1983, John Birk replaced Dwight Cliff on vocals and Kenny Powell was added as a second lead guitarist. This line up recorded The Dominatress E.P., released on Metal Blade Records. This version of the group played live shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco thru 1983.
1984 saw new vocalist Michael Smith join the band and Kenny Powell depart to form Omen. Former Witchkiller guitarist Kurt Phillips replaced Powell for several months. This incarnation of the group played several live gigs in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.
While recording Master Of Disguise, Kurt Phillips was sacked. Christian Logue cut all the guitars on the recording.
After the completion of recording Master Of Disguise, Mark Chase Marshall, formerly of Agent Steel was brought on board as second lead guitarist.
Shortly before the first Savage Grace tour of Europe, which included a slot on the Metal Hammer Festival in September 1985, Michael Smith left the band. Christian Logue became the new vocalist and sang on all the European dates.
In late 1985, Dan Finch left the group. He was replaced in early 1986 by Marc Marcum.
Marcum, Logue, Marshall and East recorded After The Fall from Grace in the spring of 1986.
Savage Grace did a European tour with Heir Apparent in June 1986.
Upon returning to the states, Brian East left the group. He was replaced by former Heir Apparent bassist Derek Peace. This ensemble recorded the Ride Into The Night E.P. in early 1987.
In April 1987, Savage Grace supported Motorhead on twenty dates across the U.S.
Derek Peace left the group in the summer of 1987. The band went thru several bass players from 1987-1988. Marc Marcum left the band in 1988.
In 1989, Marshall Lee Dickerson was brought in on drums. In December of 1989 the band relocated to New York after signing with a new management company. Mark Marshall chose to stay in Los Angeles.
Mike Branning joined the band on bass in December 1989. Several guitarists filled in with the band in New York and on tour dates throughout the U.S.
Savage Grace recorded ten demo tracks while in New York.
The band left New York to head back to L.A. in April 1992. The band played a handful of dates in L.A and was officially disbanded.
Founder Christian Logue is currently writing a book about Savage Grace to be published in 2014.

Discography:
1983
MINI-LPTHE DOMINATRESS-METAL BLADEMBR1006
1985
LP-MASTER OF DISGUISE-IMPORTANTIMD-004
MASTER OF DISGUISE (Picture) IMPORTANTIMPO-0041985
MASTER OF DISGUISE-BLACK DRAGONBD0011985
1986
AFTER THE FALL FROM GRACE-METAL BLADEMBR1075
AFTER THE FALL FROM GRACE-BLACK DRAGONBD012
AFTER THE FALL FROM GRACE-VAP35175-2
1987
RIDE INTO THE NIGHT-FLAMETRADER1012

Christian Logue - guitars, vocals- (1981-Present)
Dwight Cliff- Vocals-(1982)
John Birk- Vocals- (1983)
Marshall Lee Dickerson- Drums- (1988-1992)
Michael John Smith- Vocals- (1984-1985)
Keith Alexander (R.I.P.)- Guitar-(1991)
Eugene Pink- Guitar- (1992)
Michael Branning- Bass -(1989-1992)
Mark "Chase" Marshall - guitars- (1985-1989)
B. East- Bass- (1982-1986)
Neal Delaforce- Bass (1987-1988)
Derek Peace - Bass- (1987-1988)
Mark Marcum - Drums- (1986-1988)
Dan Finch- Drums- (1982-1985)

Trial By Fire
Savage Grace Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Brian East]

Disciples of Belial met we
In a silent covey at the dead of night
Chant: Trial by fire
The initiation of blood with the covenant of death
Bind the soul to a compact with hell
Chant: Trial by fire

[Chorus:]
Know not thou of wicked deeds, lascivious
Behaviours and wanton greed
Confess thy sins, purge thy soul, verdict is
Given, cry no more, but bear the sentence of a
Trial by fire
The sentence shall be trial by fire

[2nd Verse:]
Voices raised in a hymn of praise, to the glory
Of abjuration of thy faith
[Chant:] Trial by fire
Eat the flesh of the child's breast and cast
Thy spells with malicious intent
[Chant:] Trial by fire

[Chorus]

[Bridge:]
Burn witch burn, burn bitch burn
Burn witch burn, burn bitch burn

[Chorus]

Sentenced to be tried by fire
Sentenced to die by fire

Trial by fire

Trial by fire
Trial by fire

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Savage Grace's song "Trial by Fire" describe a disturbing and violent initiation ritual performed by the Disciples of Belial, a secretive and demonic group. The ritual involves binding one's soul to a "compact with hell" through the initiation of blood and the consumption of a child's flesh. The group chants "Trial by Fire" as they perform the ritual, invoking the sentence that awaits those who confess to their sins and purge their souls. The lyrics also include calls for burning witches, indicating a pervasive attitude of religious intolerance and violent, misogynistic beliefs.

The song's lyrics are deeply unsettling, portraying a world where violence, decay, and wickedness are the norm. The imagery is graphic and evocative, painting a dark and chilling picture of a society where moral decay has triumphed over compassion and empathy. The repeated phrase "Trial by Fire" serves as a chilling reminder of the brutal consequences that await those who fail to obey the Disciples of Belial's dark and twisted commands.

Line by Line Meaning

Disciples of Belial met we
We gathered together as followers of the devil.

In a silent covey at the dead of night
We met secretly at night to avoid detection.

Chant: Trial by fire
We repeated this phrase as a part of our ritual.

The initiation of blood with the covenant of death
Our ritual involved shedding blood and making a pact with death.

Bind the soul to a compact with hell
We made a binding agreement with hell that required giving up our souls.

[Chorus:] Know not thou of wicked deeds, lascivious Behaviours and wanton greed Confess thy sins, purge thy soul, verdict is Given, cry no more, but bear the sentence of a Trial by fire The sentence shall be trial by fire
If you don't know what sins you have committed, confess them now and accept your sentence of being tried by fire.

Voices raised in a hymn of praise, to the glory Of abjuration of thy faith [Chant:] Trial by fire
We sang a song praising the rejection of our faith and repeated the phrase 'Trial by fire.'

Eat the flesh of the child's breast and cast Thy spells with malicious intent [Chant:] Trial by fire
We engaged in cannibalism and used spells with evil intentions, repeating the phrase 'Trial by fire.'

[Bridge:] Burn witch burn, burn bitch burn Burn witch burn, burn bitch burn
We called for the burning of supposed witches or bitches (women considered to be promiscuous or immoral).

[Chorus] [x2]
Repeat of the chorus.

Sentenced to be tried by fire Sentenced to die by fire
We have sentenced the accused to be tried and killed by fire.

[Chant:] Trial by fire
Repetition of the phrase 'Trial by fire.'

Contributed by Isabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS