Review: “Savage New Times” by Incite

It might be hard to believe but having graced a few Soulfly tracks back in the day Richie Cavalera has now surpassed the twenty year milestone with his Phoenix Arizona based Groove Thrash band Incite. Fuelled by themes of death and violence while being politically and socially aware, their dedication to the cause is unquestioned and their conquest of stages world wide continues with new album “Savage New Times“. Produced by Steve Evetts (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Hatebreed), mixed by Arthur Rizk (Soulfly, Municipal Waste) and adorned by artwork from Marcelo Vasco (Slayer, Kerry King) the record is their first in partnership with new label home Reigning Phoenix Music. It’s also their first with new guitarist Layne Richardson of Becomes Astral fame who joins bassist Christopher “El” Elsten and drummer Derek “Lennon” Lopez to complete the line-up…

Opening track “Lies” is one of those tunes which you can tell has at least one persons name associated with it. Boiling it down to its bare essentials, this one deals with someone’s deception and those moments when you see them for who they really are. Cavalera’s rage is a dish best served flaming hot and comes with a side order of rhythmic battery, the bands Thrash fuelled Groove Metal sounds a vision of disorder. What’s interesting about this one is the melodic fade out which has progressive leanings after fierce fires have subsided. That makes way for the rampaging “Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up)“, a cut which feels like it was inspired by “Dark Ages” era Soulfly. Galloping drums provide the backbone, the tasteful groove orientated riffage moving into a little whammy bar action to finish it off. It would have been nice to hear Richardson go all out Pantera on it but he stops just short and it feels like a knowing tease. There is no hiding the Pantera influence on the punchy “Just a Rat” however and if you can stop yourself from screaming “You’re just a rat! Caught in a trap!” during the chorus on the first listen then you might want to check yourself in with a therapist. Pure old school fun, this one is a dark delight from which there is no escape.

Perpetual forward motion is maintained with the unrestrained fury of “Chucked Off” as Cavalera vents his spleen. Someone is playing the victim and he’s holding them to account, the soaring Melodic Death Metal solo a very nice touch to accompany the venomous tirade. Escaping the “Doubts and the Fear” may seem impossible at times but this punchy number with a graceful melodic bridge in the mid section is powerful musing that resonates. As he rightly says, Cavalera has earned his place in this life and you can’t let your personal demons or enemies win. Said to relate to a childhood dream “Dolores” may seem like a bold and brave move on paper at least. A powerful piano introduction sets the tone before the lead guitars come into play and when the vocals come into play the theatrical nature of it is fully unfurled. There is a flavour of Devildriver at their most melodic here, eerie moments in the Gothic fantasy are as impressive as a spellbinding solo. Avoiding clean vocals is paramount and Cavalera achieves this by using some harsh whispered moments to contrast with is powerful death growls. Maintaining the atmosphere and energy of the album “No Mercy No Forgiveness” then slides back into Groove Thrash with consummate ease, Lopez hammering the living daylights out of the kit in the process. Lyrics roared with clenched fists mean you can feel the emotive quality and depth of meaning on this one and that makes all the difference.

The refusal to be mistreated again continues in the lyrical narrative of “Used and Abused” and once again its one you can really make your own. The face melting solo adds the sprinkling of stardust to the groove laden monster, the musicianship once again impeccable. There was always going to be a track with some almost tribal drum fills and that is “Never Die Once” which rumbles to life with new found power. A mid-tempo crusher it has instant appeal with a sound that’s familiar as the band lean on all their experience to produce something of high grade incendiary quality. Saving the title track to last is an interesting style choice when so many bands put it front an centre these days but in truth “Savage New Times” would fit anywhere in this record and still be an absolute rager. Riffs fly in all directions with laser guided precision as Cavalera states his refusal to give up or give in with Metal running through his veins, a fleeting old school whammy bar drop solo a majestic moment to accompany his battle cry [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Lies
2. Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up)
3. Just a Rat
4. Chucked Off
5. Doubts and the Fear
6. Dolores
7. No Mercy No Forgiveness
8. Used and Abused
9. Never Die Once
10. Savage New Times

“Savage New Times” by Incite is out 15th August 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music