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SAVAGE - SONS OF MALICE (7)
Savage – if you’re old enough  to remember – are an old school NWOBHM band from Mansfield and have changed somewhat over the years since the debut album ‘Loose and Lethal’. It has been over ten years since last album ‘Xtreme Machine’ was released and Chris Bradley, Andy Dawson, Kristian Bradley and Mark Nelson have been finally writing again.
What was created is a nicely produced, well-crafted album. Entitled ‘Sons of Malice’, it has a more solid feel to it compared to earlier releases. It has a slower tempo, offers more rhythm, with great solos, cool stomping riffs and a great British metal feel to it. Reminiscent of Saxon and the other old school British metal bands from the 80’s this album brings me back to my youth, remembering weekend pub metal festivals and lots of underage drinking.
‘Sons of Malice’ has an almost blues hard rock feel in songs like ‘Fallen Idols’ and ‘Choose Revolution’ – it is obvious that Savage are still influenced by masters such As Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple and Rainbow. ‘Junk Yard Dogs’ and ‘The Hanging Tree’ having acoustic starts tricks you into thinking it might be time for a ballad but no, you are soon thrown into a rollercoaster ride of riffage and tempo changes – great songs for summertime driving with the windows down and the stereo maxed out. ‘The Hanging Tree’ is probably the highlight of the album having put a lot of thought into the song writing and motors on at quite a pace in relation to some of the other songs.
All in all ‘Sons of Malice’ is great, and you will like it if you’re not a young whipper-snapper (like me!) and grew up through the 80’s listening to bands like Savage, Saxon, and into the NWOBHM scene.
Reviewed by Matt Finch.
Sons Of Malice is out now on Minus2Zebra.
You’ll like this if… you need a retro soundtrack to rock your summer.
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