Label(s):

Independent

Released Year:

2023

Type:

EP

Tracklist:

1. Warlock's Trance2. On We March

SAVAGE OATH is a new band from the States and the “Savage Oath” EP is its first recorded work. The band may be “new”, but its members are for sure well-known in the heavy metal area; Brendan Radigan, the voice of SAVAGE OATH, is the singer of SUMERLANDS in “Dreamkiller”, which was among the best albums for 2022. Leeland Campana on guitars is also a member of VISIGOTH, and Carlos Llanas was one of the guitar players in “The Armor of Ire”, the great debut of ETERNAL CHAMPION.

So, we might as well say that SAVAGE OATH is an all-star heavy metal band, coming from some of the most promising new names of the field. Fortunately, the two songs of this new EP verify its members history. We are talking about the best songs of classic heavy metal for 2023.

SAVAGE OATH seem to have taken the best features from their current and previous bands in order to create a magnificent new project that would sound extremely fresh and direct. Their aim is achieved 100% as the new songs are one of the best and most honest efforts we have heard with regards to “bringing classic 80s heavy metal to the 2020s”.

Both songs have roots in the 80s, but everything is up to date. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G guitar melodies everywhere, great powerful vocals (in a more “classic heavy metal style” than in “Dreamkiller”) and an incredible epic feeling compose this EP. Simple, dynamic (but not harsh), melodic (as needed) heavy/power metal that knows how to keep the balance between melody and power.

SAVAGE OATH has made a great start and the fans anticipate for a full-length album in the same spirit where the quality of the whole album will be in similar high levels. If this goal is achieved, then we are talking about one of the best classic heavy metal bands (not NWOTHM) of our time.

P.S. This review is dedicated to Tassos Stamatoukos.

Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.