Saviours

Saviours are an Oakland stoner metal band that forms in 2004 and remain active. The group centres on guitarist and vocalist Austin Barber, with Scott Batiste on drums, Sonny Reinhardt on guitar and Chris Grande on bass. Their sound draws on doom metal, hard rock, heavy metal, speed metal and stoner metal.

Style and influences

The band mixes heavy riffs with a punk-derived intensity, using d-beat rhythms, fast momentum and a sound shaped by 1970s doom, NWOBHM, Bay Area thrash and early black metal. Their approach also reflects West Coast hardcore punk and skate culture, with Black Flag and BL'AST! among the references that inform their style. Their music is described as combining aggressive riffing with harmonic guitar lines and a forceful live delivery.

Career

Saviours begin with a line-up formed by Austin Barber and drummer Scott Batiste. They tour extensively and share bills with Kylesa, The Sword, Mastodon, Saint Vitus and High on Fire. Their live reputation develops through these tours and through performances across the globe.

The band releases a series of EPs and albums on Level Plane and Kemado. Their discography includes Warship (EP, 2005), Crucifire (2006), Cavern of Mind (EP, 2007), Into Abaddon (2008), several 2009 EPs including Slave to the Hex, Acid Hand and Burning Cross, and the albums Accelerated Living and Death's Procession (2011). Accelerated Living is recorded at Lucky Cat Recording Studios in San Francisco with producer Phil Manley, known for work with Trans Am and The Fucking Champs.

Recognition

In 2009, the San Francisco Bay Guardian presents the band with a Goldie Award as part of its Guardian Outstanding Local Discovery Awards, recognising them as a notable local act in the Bay Area heavy music scene.