Review: Savage “Sons Of Malice” (2012)

Reviewed by David Pearce

Artist: Savage
Album: Sons Of Malice
Label: Minus2Zebra
Year: 2012

Track Listing

1. The Rage Within
2. Black N Blue
3. Sons Of Malice
4. The Hanging Tree
5. Monkey On My Back
6. Junkyard Dogs
7. Blow
8. Waking The Dead
9. Choose Revolution
10. Now
11. Look At Yourself
12. Master Of War
13. Fallen Idols

Savage was formed back In 1979, by Chris Bradley and Andy Dawson when they were 15 and 18 in the East Midlands, after being influenced by bands like Thin Lizzy, UFO, Deep Purple and Van Halen, just as the NWOBHM was breaking in the Uk. There aggressive guitar sound was captured on Suspect Records “Scene Of Crime” a 1981 compilation album for which Savage recorded two songs “Let It Loose” and “Dirty Money“. Lars Ulrich from Metallica got hold of the album and took it back to America for the rest of the band to have a listen to and after that Savage were promptly snapped up by Ebony Records back in 1983 who put them into the studio to record their debut album “Loose And Lethal” which soon became the bestselling metal import album in America. After numerous albums and tours the band decided to take an undetermined ‘time out’, then after having regrouped after a Ten year break in 2011 these heavy metal legends are back bringing you an infectious sixth album called “Sons Of Malice” which was released on the 23rd April of this year on Minus2Zebra Records.

The first song on the album is “The Rage Within” which starts off with some classic style guitar riffs. What I do love when you first start hearing this song is the duel guitars which gives it a solid base for the rest of the song, the vocals are clean and it has a real catchy chorus of “Let It Go” just superb. With thundering drums banging out the beat it is a real good solid start to the album. The Second track on the album is “Black N Blue“, on this song they have change the style like the title says it is more of a bluesy style and its full of groove, the lyrics are clean and full of purpose and it puts the story of the song across perfectly. The guitar riffs and solos are a joy to hear on this song as well. The Third song and the title track to the album is “Sons of Malice” which starts off with a good guitar riff before which then the drums come in then the vocals come through with purpose. I really like this song it has some cracking little riffs and solos that will get you rocking instantly, so far this is my favourite song on the album but I have a long way to go yet. The next three songs are “The Hanging Tree”, “Monkey On My Back” and “Junkyard Dogs”, “The Hanging Tree” starts off with what I would a Spanish acoustic sounding guitar riff which then breaks into some good old fashioned rock, the song has just got the right balance of the vocals and rhythm to keep everyone happy.

“Monkey On My Back” starts off with a great drum beat pounding out the rhythm of the song then the guitar comes in with a cracking riff along with the vocals. The lyrics come over loud and clear and you can tell they loved making this album. “Junkyard Dogs” starts off slow with the vocals starting early but then a really good guitar riff comes the vocals on this are superb, they put over the song perfectly. In the middle of the song it has a quality solo which makes nod my head with excitement because it’s a piece of class. The next three songs are “Blow“, “Waking The Dead” and “Choose Revolution” in these songs you have more of the same quality vocals, soaring guitars riffs, solos and pounding drums, also in the song Waking The Dead the guitars have a galloping feel to them which is another style I really like. The Tenth song on the album is called “Now” and starts off with a cracking little guitar riff which goes into a real rocking style feel which gets my head nodding straight away. Again this song has some great guitar riffs and solos, the vocals are note perfect and the drumming is faultless another quality song. The next two songs are “Look At Yourself” and “Master Of War” again they have some quality guitar work in, soaring vocals and pounding drums just what you need in an album like this I cannot fault this album yet just brilliant. The last song on the album is “Fallen Idols” and it has a real upbeat feel to it from start to finish full of great guitar riffs, the vocals are clean and precise and the drums are pounding the rhythm perfectly. It is a great finish to a truly great album.

Overall

From start to finish this album has some great guitar work, the vocals are out of this world along with the pounding of the drums makes this an album of just pure brilliance. You cannot tell that these guys have been away for Ten years as they hit everything perfectly on this album. I was rocking and grooving around to every song it was that good. I am very pleased that I got to review this album because it is one of the best albums that I have heard this year. I am now looking forward to hearing from these in the coming years because they just show that quality never dies, it just gets better with age.

9/10

Members

Chris Bradley – Vocals / Bass Guitar
Andy Dawson – Lead Guitar / Vocals
Kristian Bradley – Guitar / Vocals
Mark Nelson – Drums / Vocals