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SWEET SAVAGE
Bang
earMUSIC

Legacy Acts. A definition for bands that you've been familiar with for at least 20 years. So there's all the history and memories you have with those bands and their songs. And I think it's kinda tough to be a Legacy Act because of everything I've mentioned above. Mostly because it's somewhat of a no-win situation for them. Follow me on this. There're some Legacy Acts that you never have to worry about because they will always sound just like you remember them from the first song you ever heard. AC/DC is my example here. They are what they are, nothing more, nothing less. And most people are very happy with that scenario. They want them to sound like they've always sounded. But there's some folks who think that they should change with the times, and hate the fact that they still sound like they do. "We want something new sounding" they cry! And there's the rub for the Legacy Acts. There's going to be a certain amount of people that will be alienated no matter which way you go. And some Legacy Acts WANT to change! They don't want to feel boxed into a certain sound, they want to be able to change with the times and to play to their own whimsy and create what moves them, the audience be damned. I see it both ways. And while sometimes it can bring a massive new audience for a Legacy Act, for example how AEROSMITH reinvented themselves in the 80's. They had another run in stadiums and brought them back to the glory days of the 70's. I personally HATED it. Don't own any of that era and never will. But again, personal preference and taste. But most Legacy Acts have done it to a certain extent. Times change, tastes change, and reinvent yourself or get left behind. From KISS to RUSH to SLAYER to ANTHRAX, I could go on endlessly. But I think you get the gist of my point.

Which brings me to the review of the latest from Irish NWoBHM stalwarts SWEET SAVAGE. They had at one point Mr. Vivian Campbell, before he went on to fame and fortune with the late great Ronnie James Dio after he parted ways with BLACK SABBATH. Even though you might not be familiar with SWEET SAVAGE, they made their mark with certain bands. Bay Area bangers HEATHEN covered the track "Eye Of The Storm" on their Recovered album, as did German speed merchants NOT FRAGILE on their split with their German brethren Z-IRON. And the mighty METALLICA covered the crushing track "Killing Time" on the massive "The Unforgiven" single back in 1991. During the heyday of the NWoBHM S.S. only put out 3 uber rare singles (I only have 1) and the track "Eye of the Storm" on the legendary 1981 compilation The Friday Rock Show from the BBC that also had DIAMOND HEAD, DEMON, WITCHFYNDE & BLACK AXE among others. The band (basically bassist/vocalist Ray Haller is the only constant from SWEET SAVAGE's formation in 1979) has put out the occasional album here and there but has never been a constant musical force for whatever reason. I jumped at the chance to see what S.S. had to offer in 2025. And that brings me full circle back to my opening paragraph about Legacy Acts.

I thought the band were just brilliant back in the day and fully expected the old cranium to be aching from the non-stop heavy metal attack that I thought I was about to hear. But is that what I got? In a word, No. That was definitely not what I got. Instead I got downtuned guitars. And electronics. Like a Tron video or something. And a much more subdued Ray on vocals. Played it a couple of times. Hated it. BUT, did I hate it because it was bad OR because it wasn't what I thought a SWEET SAVAGE album should sound like? With those thoughts in my head, I gave it another listen. I REALLY listened. How much did it change my viewpoint? Well, if you're an Old School fan of the early S.S. I doubt you'll enjoy it. I have a couple of my closest friends in mind and I base that statement off what I know they will say. HOWEVER, if you're more open minded, like something more futuristic then stick around. Clean crisp production, some heavy riffing going on here and there. "I See The Light" is kinda Alt-sounding to be sure. Let me say this: if you're a fan of the NWoBHM and can remember JAGUAR, and how amazing the Power Games album was, and then what a radical departure This Time was then that should get you in the ballpark somewhere. "Live And Die" is almost modern day pop sounding. I suppose they could open for OASIS with this album and be pretty well received. "The Meltdown" is an instrumental of sorts, all computer sounds. "Bad F Robot" reminds me of FILTER at first. NOW I know what this reminds me of!! FEAR FACTORY!! I'm not kidding. Heavy guitars, with all kinds of electronic sounds. If you love FEAR FACTORY, then this will kick you in your robot nuts. And bolts. Joining Ray on this album is Marty McCloskey on drums, and Phil Edgar on guitars. Don't know who did all the programming on this, no mention of them whatsoever. "Dirtyland" might be the most straight ahead song on here, got a kinda 80's vibe to it. 13 songs. 43 minutes. This might be cool background music on a futuristic movie or TV show, like Aliens possibly.

I know it seemed like a bunch of random thoughts there, and that was pretty much what I was thinking while I was listening to it. I feel like it's my duty to you, the reader, the music fan, or whoever you might be to try and look at things in a more abstract way when I feel it's warranted. And in this case it definitely was. No need to rehash everything I already said, so hopefully I've given you at least a fair idea if this will appeal to you or not. As for me, the jury is still out on this. Being realistic, is this something I would pull out and blast on my Rega turntable, or ride down the road on my Harley tooling through the highways of Houston? Doubtful. The older SWEET SAVAGE is much more my thing. But give it a shot if you're a bit more adventurous. I'll be curious to hear and see what the rockers out there think of this. Horns up!🤘

There is Vinyl for this, 2 variations I believe: red & black. Play it to your HP or Macbook, see what happens.

2.5 Out Of 5.0 Skulls