Band:	Nasty Savage
Album:	Jeopardy Room
Style:	US power metal, Thrash metal
Release date:	October 10, 2024
Guest review by:	Cynic Metalhead

01. Invocations
02. Jeopardy Room
03. Brain Washer
04. Southern Fried Homicide
05. Witches Sabbath
06. Schizoid Platform
07. Aztec Elegance
08. Operation Annihilate
09. Blood Syndicate
10. The 6th Finger
11. Sainted Devil

When it comes to iconic names in thrash metal, Nasty Savage stood long as a fascinating outlier, whose eccentricity and momentous riffs carved them a niche that’s held sway over dedicated fans since the ’80s. Fast forward to 2024, Nasty Savage has once again returned with almost a brand-new team, except with frontman Nasty Ronnie being the sole original member in it. This detail is critical to bear in mind, as Jeopardy Room feels both reverently close to their early days and simultaneously elated to see what fresh faces can bring on the table. Let’s dive into it.

From the very start, Jeopardy Room is drenched in a hauntingly nostalgic atmosphere, with opener “Invocations” setting the stage for a brutal yet eerily immersive journey. The visual aspect, too, is a callback to the Nasty Savage of old; the cover art combines the surrealism of Salvador Dali with the sci-fi touches of Jean Giraud aka Moebius, reminding fans of Indulgence and Abstract Reality. Unlike their last reunion effort, Psycho Psycho (2004), which felt uneven and lacked cohesion, Jeopardy Room is a more refined offering that combines a modern production with the raw spirit of their vintage sound.

One of the album’s undeniable advantages is the reimagining of “Witches Sabbath,” a track that first appeared on their demos but never received a studio version. This re-recording renders the ominous vibe of early Nasty Savage with a Mercyful Fate-like eeriness, punctuated by haunting riffs and subtle keyboards. It’s nostalgic yet refreshing, assaying a band that knows how to chill and thrill without feeling stale and pale. Yet, Jeopardy Room isn’t entirely a flawless comeback. Ronnie’s vocals—though charismatic—are noticeably more restrained, constraining his signature high-pitched screams that once added a dynamic flair especially in their first two releases. This isn’t necessarily a misstep, as Ronnie adapts his style to a deeper, more rugged tone that suits the album’s darker themes. However, some listeners might miss the old vocal fireworks, as it was a conventional part of Nasty Savage’s identity.

The new album is solid yet not uniformly groundbreaking. Especially songs like “Brain Washer” and “Aztec Elegance” bring a taste of the contorted, psychopathic thrash Nasty Savage is known for, with angular riffs and erratic rhythms that almost evoke the rawness. “Aztec Elegance” in particular stands out, with an eerie intro and churning guitar lines that hint at an otherworldly vibe. However, there are moments undermining the album like “Schizoid Platform” and the title track that struggle to make a lasting impact, occasionally feeling one-dimensional and lacking the progressive edge that elevated earlier work. Not everything here is purely thrash, though. Songs like “Blood Syndicate” inject a sinister vibe with female moans on heavy riffs, while the instrumental piece “The 6th Finger” fills with complex riffs and a technical bass solo. These moments of experimentation help to keep the album from falling into predictable patterns and musical oddities.

Adding to that, Jeopardy Room sometimes leans a little too heavily on nostalgia, seemingly aware of the need to bridge past and present, but not quite succeeding at blending them seamlessly. The production—polished yet aggressive—fits the band’s classic aesthetic, but it didn't deter much from relying on conventionality without adding much that’s fresh or groundbreaking.

Overall, Jeopardy Room is a respectful and energetic ode to the band’s legacy. It might not reach the heights of aforementioned releases, and with standout tracks like “Witches Sabbath” and “Aztec Elegance", Nasty Savage v.2 have a lot to prove. For those who grew up with the band, this album will likely be a rewarding listen. To newcomers, it’s a reminder that while Nasty Savage might not be firing on all cylinders as they once did, they still know exactly how to unleash a vicious thrash assault.