SAVAGED – Rising (2025) *HQ*
Sometimes a band offers exactly what you want. “Rising“, the upcoming second album by classic metallers SAVAGED give you just 35 minutes of no-sense metal to have a good time. A cheap cover art, just like in the ’80s with private releases, “Rising” is fun, uncomplicated heavy metal.
However, we need to emphasize just how crisp the production is. Both guitars cut like a knife, be it low chugs or clean, sharp tone of the leads. Yet, they don’t drown out the vocals even the slightest, and the drums are placed just right so that their presence is impactful, but not to the detriment of clarity.
And since I just mentioned them, vocals are definitely worth talking about. Jamie Killhead does a solid enough job with his powerful shouts, but where he really shines are high falsettos. They have much more oomph to them, solidifying his presence in every song, often sounding like early ’80s metal singers. Choruses have gang vocals layered on top of them, constantly amplifying the already huge catchiness factor.
Generally speaking, Savaged sound is mainly defined by mid-tempo guitar leads being broken up by occasionally gallops or speedy (and at times virtuosic) solos. That said, every track they found a way to twist the blueprint with a section or two to show off their more melodic side.
From start to finish, “Rising” is old-school straightforward heavy metal with a bit of speed metal here and there, which has a lot of catchy and melodic guitar work going on. The greatest strength of this album is that the songs have uplifting choruses, which is after all an essential heavy metal ingredient that should never be left out.
The overall transition from one track to another is also smoothly carried out, which succeeds at helping the album end on a high note with the title track.
This is one fun metal album that really does a great job at entertaining you with every next tune that plays out. Savaged obviously had a goal to make this one rock out for the fans of NWOTHM.
If Tokyo Blade, Night Demon, Accept, etc, are your cup of tea, “Rising” will put a big smile on your face.
Highly Recommended
01 – Ascension
02 – Fire It Up
03 – Queen Of My Salvation
04 – The Long Walk
05 – Across The Burning Fields
06 – The Conqueror
07 – Stars Are Falling
08 – Texas Bloody Texas
09 – Rising
Jamie Killhead – vocals and guitar
Joan Grimalt – guitar
Aleix Coll – bass
Cristian Blade – drums
Pre order:
savaged.bandcamp.com/album/rising
