Review NASTY SAVAGE “Jeopardy Room”

Nasty Savage is not only one of the most influential bands in thrash metal. The band from Florida also had an influential effect on bands like Obituary and Death.

It was 1983 when ‘Nasty’ Ronnie Galletti founded the band that released two brilliant longplayers with the self-titled debut and the sophomore release “Indulgence” plus the “Abstract Reality” EP.

Unfortunately, the band couldn’t maintain the glorious start, which led to a split in 1990 after the release of the album “Penetration Point”.

The fourth album “Psycho Psycho” was issued in 2004 after another reunion of the band, but again things didn’t go in the right direction for a long time. Nasty Savage returned for the next time in 2016 and together with some new bandmates ‘Nasty’ Ronnie releases a new studio album with ‘Jeopardy Room’.

Ten years after “Psycho Psycho” saw the light of day, the thrash metal legend is back and what ended up on this longplayer is really good. The new songs may not challenge the early classics like “XXX” and the TV-smashing days are over. However, all the trademarks of the Nasty Savage sound are present on this album.

After enjoying the intro called “Invocations”, Nasty Savage pushes the pedal to the metal with the title track. Mainly kept in a faster tempo, the song has the typical twists and turns and it’s Galletti’s vocals that take you back in time to the late 80’s.

One song to be mentioned is “Witches Sabbath” and not only because of the occult keyboards in the beginning. Nasty Savage also invited guests to contribute to the song. Obituary’s John and Donald Tardy added their part to this metal highlight, a song that reflects the previously mentioned influences.

Despite being rooted in thrash metal, the new studio album shows a lot of versatility. Songs like the wicked “Aztek Elegance” demonstrate the creative approach of ‘Nasty’ Ronnie and his bandmates.

There is the ferocious heaviness of thrash metal and there is a filigree momentum that allows the band to add twists and turns. The latter is what makes every song on this album a metal feast, with the frantic “Operation Annihilate” reflecting the relentless vehemence of this album.

The last three songs on the album can easily compete with the previous ones. Especially the progressive aspect of “The 6th Finger” with its brilliant solo part is a treat on an album I didn’t expect to be so powerful.

Ten years after the release of their last studio album, Nasty Savage is back with a bang. Driven by ‘Nasty’ Ronnie, the band is able to reconnect with their first era. The album inhales the spirit of the late 80’s thrash metal wave without sounding antiquated. Thrash Metal fans, young and old, should definitely check out this album.