SAVAGE MESSIAH

Written by: Alex Stojanovic
THE FATEFUL DARK Album Review
Published on: January 30, 2014

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There's no question that the British metal scene is one of heavy metal's most beloved scenes, spawing some of the biggest and most influential names in heavy metal. Those being Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Venom, Saxon, Diamond Head and Motorhead. As the worldwide metal scene grew vigorously, the British scene continued to spawn some of the greatest bands around today, but there's an underground scene in Britain that definitely deserves a lot more recognition with bands such as Mutant, Evile and Onslaught. However, there is one British band that is more than worthy of being given the metal torch, and that is the London-based melodic heavy thrashers Savage Messiah.

Heavily influenced by Megadeth, Testament, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Iced Earth, Savage Messiah started off in 2007 with the release of the self-financed and self-released EP entitled Spitting Venom, which received moderate acclaim. The EP scored the band a deal with Candlelight Records, and in 2009, the band released their full-length debut album Insurrection Rising, produced by world-renowned producer Chris Tsangarides, containing heavy thrash influences of Megadeth, Testament and Metallica. The band toured on the album supporting Overkill on a European tour in early 2010, as well as Death Angel. In August of that same year, the band signed a worldwide deal with Earache Records, and released their sophomore album Plague Of Conscience in January 2012. Comparing Plague Of Conscience to Insurrection Rising, the album contains more melodicism, while still maintaining the heavy thrash influences. The band incorporated Iron Maiden style melodies and harmonies and Judas Priest style heavy grooves. Plague Of Conscience is the band's most ambitious effort to date in terms of songwriting and performance. The album has received high acclaim from Metal Hammer UK Magazine and Burrrn! Magazine in Japan. The band is about to release their latest studio offering The Fateful Dark in March, which is a culmination of the previous two albums in one delightful package.

Another interesting factor about the album is the band's choices of cover songs as the bonus tracks. The band chose three of the most influential names in British heavy metal. Those being Iron Maiden, Motorhead and Diamond Head, but their choices of songs will be eye-opening to many fans because the songs are the less obvious tracks from the three bands. "Be Quick Or Be Dead" from Iron Maiden, "Lightning To The Nations" from Diamond Head, and "Killers" from Motorhead. This will come as a breath of fresh air to many fans after constantly seeing bands cover the more obvious tracks from the influential bands in the world.

The Fateful Dark shows that the band consolidated their style and songwriting, It features some more thrash elements than the previous albums, but still maintains the melodicism and high-class musicianship that fans of the band have come to love. If an album contains this much versatility and diversity, it's guaranteed to stand the test of time. When I first started listening to Savage Messiah, it was love at first listen, but I was annoyed by the fact that I was the only one among my family and friends who love metal that was aware of the band and their music. When I introduced the band to my friends, they have developed the same huge passion for the band and their music as I have. We are on a mission to spread the word of Savage Messiah to as many people as we can, and we await for the band to come to Canada and play some shows, either headlining or supporting. Spread the word, buy the album when it's released and STAY SAVAGE!!!!

Highs: This album contains just about everything metal should be about. It will be a real treasure to any metalhead's record collection.
Lows: None at all

The thrash is on great display in the first three tracks. "Iconocaust" kicks off the album with an short eerie but smooth introduction before the track takes a sudden left-hand turn and the massive thrash attack launches, giving the listener great expectations. "Minority Of One" contains one of guitarist Joff Bailey's most impressive melodic solos where the influence of Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith shines brightly. The track contains a lot of room for the vocals to breathe, and vocalist Dave Silver showcases his vocal brilliance on tracks like "Cross Of Babylon", "Hellblazer" and the album's ballad "Live As One Already Dead". The thunder of drummer Andrea Gorio and bassist Stefano Selvatico gives the songs more punch underneath the rampaging riffs and solos that are sure to give your ears a good punishing.

The apocalyptic sized riffs and chords give plenty of room for Dave Silver and Joff Bailey to showcase their superiority at soloing and magical harmonized leads. A good example of this would be on "Cross Of Babylon", "Live As One Already Dead" and the album's thundering title track "The Fateful Dark". "Zero Hour" starts off as what is for sure to be quite the headbanger, but gives the listener a great surprise, as the thrash comes back before the solo comes in, and is continued through the following tracks, "Hammered Down", which may be the thrashiest song on the album, and "Scavengers Of Mercy". "The Cursed Earth" closes the album with a massive bluesy influence in the beat, which is an amazing example of what classic heavy metal was all about.

BAND INFO

Savage Messiah is: 
Dave Silver - Lead vocals & guitars
Joff Bailey - Guitars & backing vocals
Stefano Selvatico - Bass & backing vocals
Andrea Gorio - Drums

Label: Earache Records

Website:
www.facebook.com/SavageMessiahMetal
www.myspace.com/savagemessiahmetal

THE FATEFUL DARK album tracks:
Iconocaust
Minority Of One
Cross Of Babylon
Hellblazer
Live As One Already Dead
The Fateful Dark
Zero Hour
Hammered Down
Scavengers Of Mercy
The Cursed Earth
Be Quick Or Be Dead (Iron Maiden Cover) (Bonus Track)
Lightning To The Nations (Diamond Head Cover) (Bonus Track)
Killers (Motorhead Cover) (Bonus Track)