English thrash metal is on the up grade. In the past, the country's thrash scene has, for a most part, been a case of followers, but at least it has treated us with one thing: Crusty thrash metal. Savage Messiah have nothing to do with crust (well, is there a single crust-thrash band alive today?!), but they are one of many noticeable band currently making waves in the UK thrash metal scene.
Savage Messiah (SM from now on) is the brainchild of ex-Headless Cross axewielder Dave Silver (half of the songs were recorded by that band in the past). However, this guy is 24 carat gold when it comes to guitar playing! In guitars department this fucking hits, maims and kills, simple as that really. Flesh-ripping yet groovy riffage and awesome memorable (read: well composed) lead guitar work are the main foundation of this debut EP. But it would still suck if there wasn't any good songs, right? Right, and in this case you don't have to be afraid of that thing. I've been trying to find and think hard for the band's influences, but can't come up with anything else than this: Overkill. SM's to-the-point riffs and the amount of groove in many of 'em made me think of this legendary US thrash band. Okay, the cool melodiousness of the title track kicks gravel on most of Arch Enemy's stuff (who also are named as one of the influencing bands by SM, and the name is probably taken from one of their songs, too). Generally, I feel SM are more biased towards US thrash metal than anything else. There's one thing in the guitar playing that I find "fucking metal!!!": Pinch harmonics. Let that axe scream, I say, because it drills to my brain and makes me feel alive. And how couldn't there be at least one twin guitar harmony on an English record? Under no circumstances, hehe, here it's on already more heavy metal-esque 'Servant to Your Death'. There's many less melodic riff-o-rama thrashers on offer, like 'Frontline' that takes you to, ummm... frontline, groovers 'W.D.U.' and 'In Cold Blood', and Destruction-meets-Overkill style 'In for the Kill'. On the other periphery lie absolutely smashing 'Conspiracy in Silence' featuring beautiful acoustic guitars. Did I say "beautiful"??? Yes, but not in the pussy, but in the intimate way. The song grows into some thrashing, too. 'Heavens Gate' begins as whirling thrashing, but features a fucking awesome calm atmospheric part.
The weakest element about SM are the vocals of Mr. Silver. Admittedly they add a pretty characteristic touch to SM's sound, but are a bit weak. His creaky voice is powerless for the most of time here. It feels like he's holding back, because there's some pretty intensive singing heard, too. And some heavy metal screams. Anyways, the goodies are heard during slower songs and parts, because guy can sing and his vocals simply sound more powerful on them (just check out 'Conspiracy...'). The vocals do get better by time, at least I've found their characteristic aspect. Majority of the lyrics deal with venomous religions and war, and are okay but nothing special. The sound is good all around. Powerful, sharp, clean... Listen loud! That's the way how this must be listened to (like all the fucking thrash metal, eh???!!!). There's some uncertainty about the drums, whether they are live or machine-made. Considering by the credits, might be both, but tey do sound live, believe me. If they are machine-made, then there's more than one sample per a drum I think, they sound that live to me. The mixing is very well done, as there are all kind of fine details pampering yer ears. I have no complaints about the production, as it simply works. Cover art is okay, a pretty well done collage in the world of covers created with a PhotoShop or similar. This is thoroughly professionally printed despite this is self-produced, mind you.
Savage Messiah succeed in one important department: They sound characteristic, even though I get this Overkill impression from time to time. They also have good songs, some of them excellent. And then they can play you to a swamp, as we Finns say! An important debut release, this, and more than promising one, for both the band and for the English thrash metal.
Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained
Reviewed by Lane
12/04/2007 12:38
