ALBUM REVIEW: Savage Master - Dark & Dangerous

Savage Master are a female fronted traditional metal band from Louisville in Kentucky. Founded in 2013 by lead vocalist Stacey Savage (real name Stacey Peak) and guitarist Adam Neil, they have an obvious love of the gothic side of life and classic horror and all things metal. They have created a persona and image to reflect this. 

Heavy influences from classic rock bands from the 70s and 80s are evident in their songs and they have crafted a sound that is very familiar but still sounds fresh. 

Dark and Dangerous is their 5th album, released via Savage Kingdom records. After the instrumental Three Red Candles introduction, the album kicks off properly with Warriors Call. This starts with a guitar riff that would not be out of place on any Judas Priest album, pounding with power whilst Stacey comes in with her vocals to combine neatly with the rest of the band. It bounces along and is a solid opener. 

Black Rider opens with a Scorpions style riff and ups the tempo. It’s a great track and Stacey’s vocals shine through. She maintains the classic rock vocals but puts a real gothic spin on them, providing a more interesting take on what could be a mundane track.

The album continues with the Edge of Evil a slower, more ballad style song with I suppose all good classic album needs. It reminded me of a slowed down , complete with a Randy Rhoads style solo [Ed Note: Yes, we are aware that Randy had sadly passed by the time BATM was released and that it was Jake E Lee on it]. It's not a bad song, although in my opinion these tracks do detract from the heavier songs here. 

As we continue through the album, Devil's Child and Scream From the Cellar both have a sound that would fit nicely on any Scorpions or Mercyful Fate release. Big riffs, singalong long choruses which will sound fantastic live are here in abundance and lift the album to another level. The next few songs include Never Ending Fire, and Devil Rock, which was my favourite track here. Throw in elements of 80s hair rock hits with hints of WASP and Mötley Crüe but still retains a NWOBHM feel. I Never Want To Fall in Love and When The Twilight Meets the Dawn continue in the same vein with ample fast riffs and great vocals. 

The album closes with Cold Hearted Death, a slower ballad that for me, slightly detracts from the flow of the overall album. 

Savage Master are a band that have influences from a very distinct era, but they do it very well, Savage's vocals lift the band way above the average. They take the best of the influences and blend it together to produce a very likeable album. I can definitely see dance floors in every rock club in the land filling if any of the tracks came on. I also think that these songs would really shine in a live environment, and Ms Savage's voice would fill any venue.

Dark & Dangerous is released on 25th March via Shadow Kingdom Records.

Review by John Caffrey.