This is one of the albums I have endlessly been waiting for, it seems, or at least for a long 20 years. Sure, now and then – during those 20 years, we heard that the band was somewhat “active” and played live shows here and there. But I got really excited when I learned that Nasty Ronnie`s band was going to be performing live at the Keep It True Festival in Germany. And the very fact that around that time NASTY SAVAGE`s brand new album was to be out too, made that news even better.
When the band released videos for “Brain Washer” and “Schizoid Platform” I became even hungrier for NS` brand new album which I finally got just before Keep It True Festival started. I have been blasting it again and again, and I must confess “Jeopardy Room” is definitely one of the better albums of 2024. Most importantly, the sound`s really unique.
It is very clear and organic. In a word, Jim Morris, responsible for producing “Jeopardy Room” did a great job. Unlike new MORBID SAINT`s album which, though musically very good, appears, sound-wise, to have been castrated of decent production and thus fairly bland and tasteless. Well, in short, everything is just right on this album.
As mentioned, the sound is organic; and as rough as it should be. Simply, it is natural, unpolished, and non-synthetic. Yes, the sound makes this album very strong, listening to “Jeopardy Room” becomes as a result a truly jaw dropping experience. This album stands for pure, unaltered old-school thrash metal performed in a perfect way! No more and no less.
These songs are very energetic, skillfully orchestrated and performed. And, at the same time, quite complex too as “Jeopardy Room” music is quite intricate, multilayered and truly rich in sounds. In a word, there is a lot going on here on this album. How can one get bored with these songs? Impossible. guitar duels between Pete Sykes and David Orman are top notch. The rhythm section is good, really good. Bass lines (Kyle Sokol) and drumming (Jim Cocker) are simply breathtaking. And those Ronnie’s vocals, hell, these are good, I tell you.
The power of his vocals is just unmatched, unbelievable. Well, playing this album makes me really excited. Maybe because it is great to see that over all those years NASTY SAVAGE have remained who they are? They are still unique, one of a kind. “Jeopardy Room” is a multidimensional piece of art with plenty of immortal, powerful riffs and catchy melodies.
Stuff like this makes my heart beat faster, it really does. This album has the potential to become a classic metal album. After “Invocations,” we are faced with the title song “Jeopardy Room.” It is very complex and dynamic, a perfect, rich in sounds song to start an album with. “Brain Washer” comes next. Damn, this song is fast to the max. Guitar solos are as furious as tornadoes.
The guitar lines cut the air like the sharpest of knives. Indeed, a very powerful and energetic song. Awesome riffs are simply enchanting. “Southern Fried Homicide” and its acoustic intros becomes a truly bulldozing behemoth … .slow, crushing guitars gain speed.
This song pulsates with a truly pitch-black atmosphere, lightened, here and there, with guitar solos. “Witches Sabbath” is next and definitely is a killer song: lock stock and barrel!!! Pretty much in the style of classic MERCYFUL FATE albums (especially the guitar lines and song structures), this song also features a guest appearance of Donald and John Tardy from immortal OBITUARY.Really nice. The last song on the A side is “Schizoid Platform” – a very NASTY SAVAGE`ish song in the vein of “Penetration Point” or “Indulgence.” Same quality and atmosphere, no doubt!
The B side starts off with original “Aztec Elegance.” One of my favourite songs this album features. A march-like orchestration that drills into my brain like some infernal hammer! “Operation Annihilate” is one of this album`s faster songs and a tad similar to testament or overkill, if you ask me.
What I am saying is this is not a copy just some elements are kind of similar to what these two bands are all about. Another killer from “Jeopardy Room” is “ Blood Syndicate.” What a powerful, devastating song, this one.
This is how pure thrash metal ought to sound like. sparky solos are just top notch, no doubt about it. “The 6th Finger” is a song full of tempo changes despite the fact this is an instrumental song. You don’t even notice this! Man, this track clearly shows how well NASTY SAVAGE guys can handle their instruments. “Sainted Devil” is, sadly, the last song this amazing album features.
And again, the richness of sounds this track offers is stunning. Indeed, “Jeopardy Room” features no weak songs, no fillers of any sort.
It is all very compact and tight. Hard to stop listening to this album so it comes as no surprise I have been blasting this album for weeks now. Unless you already did, well, I can recommend getting this magnificent recording. A piece of unique music, this one is, that’s for sure. I am looking forward to seeing them in Poland at some point in the future.
And I hope we don’t have to wait for another 36 years to do so! Because, 36 years ago they performed live at Metal Battle Fest in Spodek, Katowice, Poland. I saw them at Keep It True Fest this year and I tell you they did crush, no doubt.
Ronnie is , despite his age, totally mad at stage, smashing TV sets against his head. The range of his throaty vocals is just phenomenal. This is what NASTY SAVAGE is all about. This band stands for passion and sheer love for metal music. Bands such as NASTY SAVAGE create metal music history, support them!!!
Necronosferatus
