Russia and the United States are long-term adversaries who now are entrenched in one of their weirdest periods of their struggle. But that’s basically government shit, with one dictator trying to imitate the other, with only the people suffering. But music transcends all of that, bringing both sides together for the good of metal.
Michigan-based classic metal warriors Savage Master (vocalist Stacey Savage, guitarist/bassist Adam Neal, guitarists Larry Myers and Julien Fried, drummer John W. Littlejohn) join Russian power Mystic Storm (vocalist Svetlana, guitarist Ivan, guitarist/bassist/keyboard player Kostya) on split mini-album “The Power/Wandering Time,” an effort that gives an appetizer of what they both do well. While separated by continent, the bands prove how much they have in common, forging the fires of pure heavy metal that knows no country lines or separating points. It’s a glorious release that doesn’t take much of your time and delivers power that’ll keep your blood moving.
Savage Master starts with “One Step Closer to Love” that has a smoking pace and synth glides, and a blazing, catchy tempo erupts. The singing soars, the soloing catching onto that heat and bubbling over, Savage repeatedly wailing the title as everything ruptures. “The Last Kiss” brings more riffs along with monstrous dialog, jetting forward with Savage howling, “Is this nightmare really true?” The guitars sink through sheets of ice as the drumming plasters even further, a total ’80s aura engulfing and carrying you out. “The Power” digs in and follows a channeled pace, a fantasy feel seeping out of every crevice, Savage’s singing stretching into the darkness. Fluid soloing takes hold, the chorus flexing and powering, a strange space transmission taking over and dragging their sword-and-steel mythos into the stars.
Mystic Storm’s side starts with “Тень Грядущего” (“The Shadow of Things to Come”) that is murky at first before the torches rage, charging up as Svetlana takes total command with her towering voice. Shrieks also burst as the power continues to bubble, the vocals soaring as the playing pierces, the leads glimmering brightly before the drums end everything in rubble. “Блуждающее время” (“Wandering Time”) is hazy and humid, the guitars leaning in and trucking, the singing scorching as their attitude swaggers over racing leads. The pace pulls back a bit as things turn more mystical, taking on a late-80s Maiden vibe, the final gusts bringing fury and electricity. Closer “В Бездны” (“Into the Abyss”) has a strong start, the keys zapping, energy welling to the surface. Svetlana’s singing takes hold with an iron grip, power pushing as the guitars chug, and the soloing melts. The guitars feel like a laser, glowing as lava flows, flattening and barreling to the end.
Combining Savage Master and Mystic Storm makes a ton of sense here, the goddamn Moscow Music Peace Festival vibe of splits proving tensions between countries often only involves politicians and not the people themselves. Or whatever. Each bring their own mark they put on classic heavy metal, and collections like this prove that vintage sounds remain as relevant as ever as long as the musicians making it create from the heart and guts. This is music that is perfect for the warmer months arriving here, when volume and beverages are at their seasonal apex.
For more on Savage Master, go here: https://savagemasterofficial.bandcamp.com/
And for Mystic Storm, go here: https://mysticstorm.bandcamp.com/
To buy the album, go here: https://shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-power-wandering-time
For more on the label, go here: https://www.shadowkingdomrecords.com/
Meat Mead Metal 