Origin:	Ireland
Genres:	NWOBHM

Last update/review:	September 1, 2011

Sweet Savage

Ireland's Sweet Savage has gained some notoriety over the years for two reasons. One, they were the first band to feature guitarist Vivian Campbell, who was later seen in Dio and eventually found his way to Def Leppard (he's also done time in the recent Thin Lizzy reunion tours). Two, they were one of several NWOBHM bands made famous for being covered Metallica -- the song covered, "Killing Time" (a true NWOBHM classic), was released as a single by Sweet Savage back in 1981 and can be found on one or more early Metallica demos. During their short run in the NWOBHM heyday they were considered a hot property and great things were predicted for them. However, they were unable to secure the record deal they desired, and with Campbell's departure, the band folded. More than a decade later, two of the guys (neither of which was Campbell) reformed the band and eventually recorded the album Killing Time. Replacing Campbell is prodigy Simon McBride, only 17 years old at at the time of the recording. With several of the songs written in the band's early career, it should come as no surprise that Killing Time wasn't exactly contemporary, the band instead preferring to stick to their classic NWOBHM style. The new version of the title track doesn't compare to the original 1981 version, but it's still a fine song. Though not an innovative band, the album was a welcome sight to early fans of the group, and worth a listen for hardened NWOBHM fans. They managed a second album, Rune, two years later, but broke up again afterward. Since then sole original member Ray Haller has kept going, and another new lineup released Regeneration in 2011.