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SAVAGE
Savage EP

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 8.5/10

Strong mid-80s W.A.S.P. vibes abound here with German metallers Savage, who more than make up for their unoriginal moniker with this fiery debut. Pawel Nemkovic (vocals and guitar), Kevin Steelrider (bass) and Tommy Z. (drums) adorn the cover like some long forgotten trio of shock rockers you’d expect to find in the import racks; think Twisted Sister, Lizzy Borden or the more obscure Philadelphia metalheads Krank to get an idea as to the leathery, lethal nature of this five-track release.

Doused in hard glam aesthetics yet enriched with a metallic, almost theatrical flair, Savage pump their fists, pound their chests and rattle their instruments in order to provide rowdy, rebellious anthems such as ‘(Rock) Hard In The City’ with its raucous chorus and flaming, driving axe work.

‘This Time’ kicks hard with its percussion, while its fizzing riff acts as a steelier T-Rex thrown into a boiling cauldron. Meanwhile, opener ‘War Hogs’ introduces itself with a ‘Kickstart My Heart’ (Mötley Crüe) riff before the W.A.S.P. tirade emerges.

Throughout this EP you become immersed by nuances soaked by a nostalgic 1984-85 vibe, and yet Savage is more than a time machine band. The metal remains hard as ‘Letha Weapons’ channels W.A.S.P. again, while ‘Tortured Pharao’ doomily trudges with a Euro-gothic menacing delight.

Taking me back to the days when I discovered acts like Dr. Mastermind, Witch and a multitude of shimmering shock rockers, Savage allows me to reminisce but also strap in for a rocket ride into the ravishing and relentless side of clattering metal.

Neil Arnold

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