Saviours

by Stewart Mason
Although they formed in Oakland, CA, in 2002, the Saviours are a deliberate throwback to an earlier time and place, specifically Great Britain in the late '70s and early '80s. Deeply inspired by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal as well as first-generation thrashers like Slayer and early Metallica, the Saviours formed out of the ashes of a minor East Bay thrash and screamo band named after the excellently monikered actor Yaphet Kotto. Singer and guitarist Austin Barber, guitarists Tyler Morris and Mag Delena, bassist Cyrus Comiskey, and drummer Scott Batiste signed with the indie label Level Plane and debuted with the 2005 EP Warship. Their first full-length album, Crucifire, followed in the spring of 2006.