ALBUM REVIEW: Savage Master – Dark & Dangerous

Kentucky Heavy Metal traditionalists Savage Master are back with their fifth album, out via Shadow Kingdom Records on March 28th.

A haunting instrumental with soaring guitars kick off the Heavy Metal spirit in classic fashion before we dive headlong pounding riffs. The percussive blows and powerful vocals sit either side of the guitars, riding gloriously into the night with a demonic blaze left in their wake. Proudly displaying their archaic influences, Savage Master feels like a lost gem of yesteryear with some modern touches, a middle ground that they have straddled for many years now. The leads are fantastic, cutting through with a bit of Andy LaRoque style soloing. Everything sits pleasantly in a strong balance and as you find your neck moving and fists clenching, the first moments ensure you will be in this for the duration. Savage Master don’t need bells and whistles, they just play old fashioned Heavy Metal the way they want to; wild and free…

Between the eerie charnel passages and furiously anthemic choruses the band ebb and flow naturally. Every twist feels natural and intentional with a smooth pathway to tread, going deeper into the dark. “The Edge of Evil” is the first song that sticks out a bit haphazardly for me, feeling a bit lazy compared to those either side of it and lacking some of the dynamics of it’s following “Devil’s Child”. This song ramps up that chilling atmosphere with some wonderfully performed vocals and intricate riffs. They play with this occult and darkened imagery while providing primitive headbanging moments to tie things back to that pure Heavy Metal spirit which is done most favourably. Giving a bit of Mercyful Fate theatrics to the more Judas Priest-esque choruses, that’s not a bad balance to have by any headbanger’s standards.

Savage Master craft a fun, memorable and energetic album with nuances of something a bit mystical too. There is a simplistic enjoyability to the songs but also something a bit more than meets the ear that suggests something special about the band. I remain a fan of their entire body of work, this being a cool new addition. I can never quite put my finger on what makes Savage Master’s sound such an addictive one but their slightly unconventional approach to the music they make is certainly endearing. Finishing on their strongest song, “Cold Hearted Death” is unlike anything the band has released before with a more ethereal and brooding feeling to it that sends the album off majestically. Punchy, to the point and never a waste of time; their new album is a series of mysterious and metallic anthems that deserve a spin by lovers of the old school with a preference to the more occult imagery of bands like Witchfynde, Coven and the like.

If you love real Heavy Metal, you will enjoy this belting record from Savage Master. It’s a confident, creepy and majestic cut of real 80s worship done well. There is a unique feeling to their songs despite their strong traditional roots that sets them apart and overall gives quite a memorable impression. I’ve enjoyed most of their body of work to date and definitely would say “Dark and Dangerous” is a high point for me. Hear the screams from the cellar…