Fresh from a European tour, supporting their latest album (fifth, in just over decade), the purple hooded horde have escalated from a kitschy, prop wielding outfit, with satanic laced odes to “whips & chains,” into an international viable act, with musical depth and real singing/songwriting skills prominently on display.
That said, the longtime diehards within the ever expanding fan base need not worry, as onstage, the no-frills, loveably chaotic hi-jinks and Hammer Horror inspired visuals are still a big part of the live set, as was displayed at Milkboy, with four Dark & Dangerous tracks in the running order.
A purple haze shrouds the stage, as droning electronica sound effect intro swirls around. The upstairs venue is barely 20 feet wide, at its biggest expanse, less than ten, back in the bar area. So no room onstage for the coffin that typically conceals singer Stacey Savage. She just walks in from the wings, hands outstretched overhead (like your overly affectionate ethnic grandma, happy to see you once again), as the hooded musicians kick into “Hunt At Night”, those in the know punctuating the titular chorus. More sing-alongs, to mid-tempo “With Whips And Chains”, as the singer brandishes the namesake lash.
Pace enlivens for the bouncy “Child Of The Witch”, Stacey flexing her biceps periodically, as well as her higher register. A lit, three wick candelabra appears towards the song’s end. Some high speed twin leads greet green lit “The Hangman’s Tree”. The expressive singer “sells” the lyrics by acting them out, making a throat slashing motion and punching the air. In the changeover, between songs, without missing a beat, she strips to a black bra. Icy blue light backlights the band for newbie “Warriors Call” is a fist thrusting headbanger, with easy to pick-up-on chorus.
A short flash of guitar histrionics gives the lady another chance to alter her wardrobe, donning a black leather jacket (that will only last the duration of that song), for well received “Myth, Magic & Steel”. Watch out in the front row, as Stacey waves around an impressive, ornamental blade (“Now, that’s a knife!”). No stoppage, just more music, as the rocking, very melodic (at least on record, toughened up, a bit, onstage) “Never Ending Fire” erupts into twin leads and vertical played guitars. The diminutive vocalist saddles in between the guitar and bass for blue/green hued “Crystal Gazer”, with its tasty blues guitar. A thick plume of stage fog envelopes those onstage, to start “Devil Rock”, another crowd sung (even a cappella!) favorite, complete with appearance from the costumed goat mascot. Cue cellphone photo barrage.
It might the death throes of the setlist, but Savage Master is still going strong, just witness the speed and energy on “Spirit Of Death”. Not a whole lot of words to remember, but killer duel guitars. Speaking of which, the six-string introduces a Sabbathy “The Ripper In Black”, the singer now in black, spider web emblazoned cape. More rapid fire twin leads and air punching anthems, this time, red/blue tinted “Black Rider” before the most infamous “Ready To Sin” with its memorable “Under the banner 666, beneath the inverted crucifix” chorus.
Onstage, guitar headstocks point to the sky, while in the crowd, those left on this late Monday night mimic Stacey, and sing along, as she twists her crossed arms to the shape of a cross (Manowar salute style). Fun stuff.
All the elements are there: memorable songs, showmanship and costumes/props. Why haven’t you checked them out yet?
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That said, the longtime diehards within the ever expanding fan base need not worry, as onstage, the no-frills, loveably chaotic hi-jinks and Hammer Horror inspired visuals are still a big part of the live set, as was displayed at Milkboy, with four Dark & Dangerous tracks in the running order.
A purple haze shrouds the stage, as droning electronica sound effect intro swirls around. The upstairs venue is barely 20 feet wide, at its biggest expanse, less than ten, back in the bar area. So no room onstage for the coffin that typically conceals singer Stacey Savage. She just walks in from the wings, hands outstretched overhead (like your overly affectionate ethnic grandma, happy to see you once again), as the hooded musicians kick into “Hunt At Night”, those in the know punctuating the titular chorus. More sing-alongs, to mid-tempo “With Whips And Chains”, as the singer brandishes the namesake lash.
Pace enlivens for the bouncy “Child Of The Witch”, Stacey flexing her biceps periodically, as well as her higher register. A lit, three wick candelabra appears towards the song’s end. Some high speed twin leads greet green lit “The Hangman’s Tree”. The expressive singer “sells” the lyrics by acting them out, making a throat slashing motion and punching the air. In the changeover, between songs, without missing a beat, she strips to a black bra. Icy blue light backlights the band for newbie “Warriors Call” is a fist thrusting headbanger, with easy to pick-up-on chorus.
A short flash of guitar histrionics gives the lady another chance to alter her wardrobe, donning a black leather jacket (that will only last the duration of that song), for well received “Myth, Magic & Steel”. Watch out in the front row, as Stacey waves around an impressive, ornamental blade (“Now, that’s a knife!”). No stoppage, just more music, as the rocking, very melodic (at least on record, toughened up, a bit, onstage) “Never Ending Fire” erupts into twin leads and vertical played guitars. The diminutive vocalist saddles in between the guitar and bass for blue/green hued “Crystal Gazer”, with its tasty blues guitar. A thick plume of stage fog envelopes those onstage, to start “Devil Rock”, another crowd sung (even a cappella!) favorite, complete with appearance from the costumed goat mascot. Cue cellphone photo barrage.
It might the death throes of the setlist, but Savage Master is still going strong, just witness the speed and energy on “Spirit Of Death”. Not a whole lot of words to remember, but killer duel guitars. Speaking of which, the six-string introduces a Sabbathy “The Ripper In Black”, the singer now in black, spider web emblazoned cape. More rapid fire twin leads and air punching anthems, this time, red/blue tinted “Black Rider” before the most infamous “Ready To Sin” with its memorable “Under the banner 666, beneath the inverted crucifix” chorus.
Onstage, guitar headstocks point to the sky, while in the crowd, those left on this late Monday night mimic Stacey, and sing along, as she twists her crossed arms to the shape of a cross (Manowar salute style). Fun stuff.
All the elements are there: memorable songs, showmanship and costumes/props. Why haven’t you checked them out yet?
More photos:
The post SAVAGE MASTER – Dark & Dangerous In Philly: Never Ending Devil Rock! appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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