Savage Master Dark & Dangerous CD Review

Kentucky’s claim to fame in the Occult Heavy Metal scene, is the one and only Savage Master. And after 3 years, the band have returned with their fifth album entitled “Dark and Dangerous”. Once more the band has signed on with Shadow Kingdom Records to release this effort, it’ll be offered both in CD/Vinyl format on March 28, 2025.
 
I’ve been a huge fan of Savage Master since their debut, “Mask of The Devil”. I’ve always really appreciated the band’s early 80’s Metal sound. It also doesn’t hurt that the band touts a female vocalist that dresses up sultry and sexy while the band wears executioner hoods. I’ve also found myself enamored with the band’s Occult/Horror themed lyrics. Lyrically, the band has always found a way to incorporate subject matter and lyrics that put me in the mind of old Hammer Horror movies as well as some of the older Italian Gothic Horror flicks from the 60’s. The band has also impressed me thoroughly with the recording/production of their albums, which is always a plus.
 
On “Dark and Dangerous” Savage Master have lightened up a bit it seems. This album just doesn’t come off as heavy as the others, sure it’s still Heavy Metal. However, the music and the lyrical content seems much lighter than in the past. The lack of Occult themed lyrics is a bit strange for me as that’s one of the things I’ve always appreciated about the band. The album is also way more polished than anything else they’ve released. The band has also chosen to use some weird effects on the vocals of Stacey Savage. I don’t understand why this was done, it’s a big distraction for me, it takes away from the lyrics and I have a hard time understanding the overall mood of what’s going on in each song. Savage has always had the “it” factor vocally, her approach was always a bit like Betsy Bitch, in that it was reckless and a bit Punkish at times, but it never failed to make an impact. Musically, the album is solid even if it isn’t quite as ferocious as their previous efforts. Highlights include “Black Rider”, “Edge of Evil”, “Screams from The Cellar” and “When the Twilight Meets the Dawn”. For all of you broken-hearted lovers out there, there’s also a BIG ballad on the album – “Cold Hearted Death”.

Overall, I feel about this album like I did about Judas Priest’s “Turbo” when it was first released – a bit indifferent and a little disappointed. But there’s hope, I grew into loving Turbo, and I absolutely adore Savage Master. So, while this isn’t my favorite album from the band it won’t keep me from purchasing the LP/CD when it’s released. I’m eager to get the LP in and toss it on the table and hear it in analog. Maybe a few hours of spinning the record on my turntable might do the trick. Nevertheless, I suggest checking the album out and while you’re doing that, check out some of the band’s other tracks.

~Black Angel