Review: “Septic Tomb” by Savage

Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of Dutch Death Metal act Entrapment, it is written that Savage draw from the poison well of inspiration provided by such legendary acts such as Nihilist, Master and Repulsion carving their name on the tree of pain with a sound that remains faithful to the school of old. After a well received three song demo was given to an unsuspecting world in 2023 via Dawnbreed Records, the band entered the studio once again in May 2025. Recorded at Soundlodge Studios in Germany under the watchful eye of producer Jörg Uken (Anvil, Nailed to Obscurity, Dawn of Disease) four fresh cuts were completed, to be released with the original demo as a single entity titled “Septic Tomb“. For all intents and purposes is this seven track affair a debut album?

Rather than being in chronological order, the new songs are first to rear their ugly head with the uncompromising raw brutality of “Nightmares” making for a fierce introduction. Flavours of Swedish Death Metal and the HM2 sound are found in the buzzsaw riffs, the frantic and frenetic qualities taking us into Death Metal with a sprinkling of Hardcore Punk. It has to be said that the first thought upon listening to this one might well be of Entombed because it has a very similar energy in its caustic abrasions. Which came first? The band or their self titled song? The psychopathic rampage that is “S.A.V.A.G.E.” doesn’t answer the question but it will crack more than a few skulls with a hint of Motorhead influence and an old school ripper of a solo. It’s all blood and thunder as if recorded live on the floor of the studio, the blistering energy a force of darkness hard to replicate.

Borrowing a cup of sugar from Crowbar and Eyehategod means that “Spectral Torment” has a distinctive Sludge Metal flair to it in the first half, a dramatic tempo-shift harvesting a tornado of souls with another blistering solo. Vocalist and guitarist Michel Jonker has such a gravelly tone to his harsh uncleans that they sound weathered by decades of screaming in cathartic fashion and that just adds to the old school vibes which make this sound so great. Title track “Septic Tomb” is the last of the new material, another breakneck head rush through oncoming traffic with rumbling bass and blast beats galore. Part of what makes these recordings sound great is just how raw they are without being particularly muddy, the drum sound tastefully done.

Unfortunately because the original demo tracks haven’t been remastered or remixed there is a noticeable drop of in quality when “Mortal Decay” begins. Its the first of three recorded at BlackLake Distortion by Roberto Timmer back in 2023 and sounds very much stylistically in keeping with the earlier four cuts. Raw and direct, this one doesn’t go straight for the throat, instead dancing with the devil around fires like some kind of occult ritual. There is something of Max Cavalera in the voice of Jonker with that early Brazilian Sepultura sound about the menacing and sininster “Revulsion“. The timing on the solo is ever so slightly out so as epic as it is, it’s not quite landed which helps with that live energy feel. Last but by no means least “Malformation” brings it home in style with mid tempo crush and a little bit of an Astral vibe thanks to a echo effect on some of the vocal phrasing. Filled with memorable riffs and savage arrangements, this record is one for those who love the warts and all live sound [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Nightmares
2. S.A.V.A.G.E.
3. Spectral Torment
4. Septic Tomb
5. Mortal Decay
6. Revulsion
7. Malformation

“Septic Tomb” by Savage is out 6th July 2026 via Milkcow Records and is available over at bandcamp