A review of Savage Grace's Master of Disguise (1985)

Ladies and gentlemen,

Usually, I focus on more recent music for my reviews but it happens every now and then that I discover and enjoy some forgotten classics that are often much older than I am. Metal forums are quite helpful in that regard as are streaming devices like Spotify that help me broadening my horizons. This is why I have decided to create a new category entitled Oldies but Goldies where I will occasionally introduce you to great rock and metal records from the sixties, seventies and eighties. I would like to start with an overlooked early speed metal gem released all the way back in 1985 that has grown on me with every spin. Crank up the volume, grab something nice to drink and gather your friends for this violent but fun party album!

Metal's supposed to be fun

Savage Grace's debut record Master of Disguise is a critically overlooked speed metal gem that oozes with charisma. The Californian quintet offers nine energetic songs with a concise running time of thirty-five minutes. Some reissued versions of this classic record include five bonus songs from the early extended play The Dominatress that offer even more value for money. Be careful though, since some remastered versions have replaced the original drum tracks with samples.

I'm usually not too fond of speed metal because many bands perform it in an overtly aggressive way with predictable and repetitive musicianship and exchangeable and gruff vocals. That isn't the case here however. The musicianship is fast but very skilled. The guitar riffs are tight, pitiless and energetic while the guitar solos find the perfect balance between melody and energy. The rhythm section is quite energetic with a vibrant audible bass guitar sound and playful drum patterns that are give the opportunity to shine on multiple occasions. The vocals are youthful, passionate and melodic and will please fans of early heavy metal, glam metal and even punk rock alike.

The record includes numerous highlights. The opening ''Bound to Be Free'' does its title justice and kicks things off with liberating chemistry, energy and speed. ''Fear My Way'' on the other side is an excellent heavy metal song with inspired guitar play and passionate vocals that must work even better on stage than on record. Title track ''Master of Disguise'' opens with an excellent drum solo before bumblebee bass and electric guitar sounds kick in which are followed by mad screams and laughter to kick off what might be the record's most aggressive cut. While most speed metal bands sound negative in their aggressive approach, Savage Grace sound like they were enjoying themselves a great deal while recording this cult classic in the mid-eighties.

The cool cover artwork with the charismatic cop, the naked lady and the beautiful motorcycle already show what kind of cool, energetic and pitiless music awaits. Contemporary social justice warriors might throw a fit by just looking at it but this record is for people who want to have fun instead of discussing social issues to death. Savage Grace's Master of Disguise is a melodic, playful and timeless album somewhere between heavy, speed and thrash metal stylistics with a few glam and punk stylistics thrown in. The final result sounds absolutely unique, grows with every spin and hasn't lost any of its charm in three and a half decades and counting. It's a shame that the band's career failed to develop after this convincing debut or else this group would be considered among heavy metal's most influential veterans of the eighties. Check this forgotten gem out, crank up the volume and party with your friends like there is no tomorrow.

Final rating: 80%