Review INCITE “Savage New Times”

Groove metallers Incite have launched a new album called “Savage New Times”. It is already the Phoenix, Arizona-based metal band’s seventh studio album and another fierce release.

Three years after unleashing “Wake Up Dead”, Incite’s latest longplayer contains ten blistering metal tracks, starting with “Lies”. The opener is an uncompromising headbanger. It hits you like a sonic punch and prepares you for the other nine tunes on “Savage New Times”.

Following this breathtaking opener, the next sonic storm on the album is “Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up)”. Incite don’t lower their aim for speed, and most of the tunes on the band’s new album are around three minutes long.

Incite do not focus on layered music with an epic approach. “Savage New Times” is a more aggressive album containing the groove-driven headbanger “Just a Rat”. An exception to this is “Dolores”. The title alone sets it apart from the other nine songs. The piano intro is also unusual and adds a new twist to the album. Last but not least, it is the most versatile song on this album. Starting rather calmly, an evil grin lurks beneath the surface. Slowly but surely, “Dolores” builds in intensity while maintaining a moderate pace. The elegant guitar solo is also notable, and it is all these elements that make “Dolores” special.

In “No Mercy No Forgiveness”, the band picks up the vibe of the previous song before turning into a massive riff inferno. “Used and Abused” is a stomping thrash metal smasher, leading into the roaring metal track “Never Die Once”, which brings you to the title track.

A drum solo kicks off “Savage New Times”, another throbbing headbanger that brings the album to a close.

“Savage New Times” is a furious metal album that uses the typical ingredients in a good way and stays true to the sound that Incite are known for. The album is fuelled by grooving thrash metal, which reminds me of bands like Sepultura, and this is only to be expected given Richie Cavalera’s prominent stepfather.