Release date Oct 25/19 (Shadow Kingdom)

Here we have something that will appeal to fans of early North American heavy metal, fully embracing the pulsating riffage and melody that permeated late seventies releases from these shores. Specifically, if Riot's Rock City, Narita and Fire Down Under still receive workouts on your death-deck, Savage Master's third full length Myth, Magic & Steel will likely resonate.

Darting lead guitar runs bringing back memories of Mark Reale are littered throughout here, while muscular riffs and melodic choruses further the comparison. Additionally, there are a few Maiden-type dual guitar interplay parts thrown in, 'Lady of Steel' goes the Thundersteel speed metal route and 'Far Beyond The Grave' sports an aggressive rhythmic attack that evokes comparisons to early Anvil pounders (think 'Bondage' and 'Bedroom Games').

Unfortunately, Stacey Savage's work at the mic doesn't live up to the sublime vocals of the one-and-only Guy Speranza ... but who does? His was a singular voice that was a perfect match for the then burdgeoning USHM sound that Riot perpetrated some 40 years ago. The comely/bodacious Miss Savage's vocals can best be described as wobbly in places, but after repeated listens become assimilated within the upper-tier musical assault. So much so that it would be hard to envisage someone else's vocal embellishments here ... sorta like Jess Cox' croaks on Tygers of Pan Tang's classic Wild Cat. Highly recommended.

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