This is the Savage Grace’s second album that came out in ´86, even though they were formed back in ´81 one year before Queensryche started. I mention this because there are huge similarities between both of their early sound and geography, as they are both from the pacific north west area. Whereas Queensryche went on to add a more melodic and progressive edge to their music, Savage Grace continued down a more power metal path with this release and unfortunately, this would be their last record until a comeback album in 2023.
As with a lot of bands around this time, they sound quite good and had some decent ideas but they went with the “let’s produce ourselves” option where maybe spending a few extra dollars on a producer would have been more beneficial. I actually quite like the album because you can see they are trying to have that edge and there is even a track that early Venom would have been proud (Trial By Fire).
However, it’s the more Maiden inspired We Came, We Saw, We Conquered that I like the best, and this is what they should have concentrated on a bit more. Of course thrash was king at this time and there a few tracks like Age Of Innocence that have a foot and some double kicks in that camp. As I mentioned, I quite like the record and if you’re a lover of 80’s metal in general you may like it too.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
