NASTY SAVAGE — Abstract Reality (review)

NASTY SAVAGE — Abstract Reality album cover EP · 1988 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Unitron
Graced with an ominous Salvador Dali-esque landscape as it's cover, Nasty Savage's Abstract Reality is quite a unique hidden EP gem in the 80's thrash scene. Creating a perfect balance between technical soloing and pure thrashing rage and moshing, you're entering the Abstract Reality.

The guitar and rhythm section switches between piercing razor-sharp trashing and technical syncopation and soloing, which doesn't sound too dissimilar to what Death would do just a few years later. Nasty Ronnie's vocals for the most part are spitting and snarling, but sometimes he reaches King Diamond-esque falsettos. This is mostly heard on the third track, "Eromantic Vertigo". The preceding tracks, the title track and the punchy "Unchained Angel", are more pure shredding and spit-fire.

The best song on the EP, and maybe the band's best song is the rampaging closer "You Snooze, You Lose". This is a song that's out for blood, slamming the listener to the ground with a downpour of crashing Slayer-esque riffing. This is contrasted with singing guitar solos during the bridge, which are a lot more melodic. When this is all mixed together with some catchy guitar hooks and muscular drumming, it all works as one six-minute thrashterpiece.

The production is a bit muffled, but with music this good, it's not hard to get past that. If you're a fan of raw and caustic thrash, tech thrash, or the later material of bands like Death, this should be an essential listen. While not a full album, sometimes EP's hold a band's finest work. Hope you found this review helpful, feel free to comment!
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