To be candid with you all, I must say I was very pleased with “Abstract Reality” and thus, quite naturally, I was looking forward to NS`s next album – “Penetration Point” (1989). Well, I was a bit disappointed with the album`s production since the snare was tuned too high; the fact, which was a bit annoying (at least in the beginning). I had the same problem with KING DIAMOND, yup, but with time I got used to it though it was a bit, initially at least, too distracting. The music on “Penetration Point” is even more complex and difficult than before – pushing the limits to the max. However, to properly understand what this album is all about is a different thing. One needs to pay attention to what is going on here…yes, songs on “Penetration Point” are catchy and melodic but, at the same time, suffused with technical complexities. It took me some time to properly “digest” these orchestrations, no worries. Musically speaking, there is nothing new on this album. In other words, the band is bulldozing us with their unique music skills. Which, I am sure of it, limits the pool of listeners quite significantly. To me, it is obvious that people who are professionally involved in music, be it playing, producing or recording it will appreciate this album. You know all these zesty technical parts, the quality and musical expression so distant from the metal music ordinariness at the time. The music kept evolving, exploring, at the same time, more and more remote areas of thrash metal music and beyond…breaking all the rules and directions particular to this kind of music. And NASTY SAVAGE didn’t care! The need to evolve, the urge to keep progressing was pushing the band farther and farther from the cradle of thrash metal. Maybe that was why their music always sounded fresh and progressive. And this album still holds up so well. It is rich in sounds, ideas and so expressively powerful. Anyone who dares call themselves a composer, needs to study this Bible of thrash metal music, that’s for sure.
NecronosferatuS
