Savatage - The Dungeons Are Calling (1985)

I can't believe I was given this album for nothing! Savatage, one of metal's greatest and truest acts, responsible for a couple of half-decent records, and a handful of metal gems. Eventually elevated into the darkest heights and 'The Dungeons...' is simply a frothing, demonic, snorting, metallic masterpiece. Six prime cuts of burning, oaken, heavyweight power metal, creating all sorts of devilish atmosphere's, from Oliva's epic wails and those gargantuan guitars. Oh my god (or devil! 666!), this is a creeping, slithering monster of a mini-lp blessed with a truly classic metal cover and eerie intro to that goliath of a title cut. Thumping bass and drums of death, all stirred by a mighty wand into a hot-bed of almost thrashing rage. This sort of metal takes one beyond the gates, into dangerous swamps, remote mountain regions, yet beyond the void of metal, to a special place only a certain breed dare inhabit. Sounding like a Sabbath for the '80s and beyond, yet oh so modern, yet somehow of its time but with an unreal weight, the crystal production allows it to float aimlessly like a black cloud. So ominous and doom laden, but in a different cosmos to say, Trouble, Oliva suddenly propelled to the dizzying plateau of metal's major league vocal gods. Where does Savatage come from ? Is there a boulder big enough to conceal their armour-plated rack ?Aaaah, terror from the sky, 'By The Grace Of The Witch' one of the greatest metal fests of the '80s, killer riff, a true serpent of ill delight, 'Visions' with its mighty shadow of malice envelopes the village in an eternal blackness, crushing guitars and the foul scent of evil....the horror, the horror. Are you brave enough to flip over to side two ? 'Midas Knight' rumbles, the ceiling caves in, the fire goes out, nowhere is safe, those deep, cavernous drums, Oliva's banshee scream...with two tracks to go the dungeons are indeed calling, 'City Beneath The Surface' is hotter than a dragon's breath, more fearsome than the foaming sea. Do I hear even Metallica and Slayer running for cover ? Oh yes, 'The Dungeons...' is so vast and cutting edge, when experienced I found it to be one the most fantastic metal experiences of my life...something which epitomised the feeling real metallers craved. Six tracks that drag you to an alien passage, filling your heart with trepidation, yet the excitement of every chord strikes a fear worth dying for. Do not taint this record by playing it in random order, savour the vinyl experience as the skull cover glares back at you. This is unholier than thou. Find me a record as gothic, and as gargantuan. On this record, Savatage, for a brief moment, are the best metal band in the world. Yes, it's that good a record, only mathed in monstrosity by Metallica, Slayer, Trouble, and Dark Angel at their best. Pure molten power metal without rival, bathed in arrogance and constructed from the fires of all hell.

A true monster from the unknown.

10/10