Hailing from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, comes a band that’s ready to jump around and thrash like no other. Dropping their third release titled Savant Attack, Brazil’s Savant took November with fiery force.

Founded in 1999, Savant has cemented their presence in Rio De Janeiro’s Thrash scene. Having shared the stage with global giants like Nuclear Assault, Artillery, and Torture Squad, the band unveils their third album Savant Attack!

Currently consisting of members Antonio Vargas (guitar, vocals), Frederico Lima (bass, vocals), Daniel Escobar (guitar, vocals), and Felipe Saboia (drums), the band’s third album digs deep into the themes of what motivates human action, and the philosophical aspects of the human mind. Wasting no time comes the title track, “Savant Attack” that screeches onto the scene with eerie anticipation. As the guitars begin and the drums rise, we prepare ourselves for battle. Signature thrash tuneage kicks in and we’re sent flying into the double-kickers.

Simple but perfectly executed lines like, “fight for future, I’ll never give up,” are as hype as ever. Fists flying into the air and fans singing along as if knowing the song by heart feels instant.

It’s snappy, fun and filled with fight. You get these tasteful solos, the killer drums, and the simple yet catchy lyrics that thrash offers up, giving Savant an instant feel of familiarity.

“One Step to Madness” unveils full thrash vibes with heated drums and relentless rhythm vocals take a deep dive while simultaneously soaring high. It’s feverish and unpredictable with a wild breakdown and feral solo that drives you to unleash the beast. Wasting not a second of sound, this track really takes ‘madness’ to the next level.

“Stacked Time” rolls with the punches, coming at us with punching drums and hardened bass before the energy ramps up once more. Vocals take command on this track, bringing in a new fear alongside the paralyzing guitars that threaten our peace.

The screams set the atmosphere, bringing pressure to the scene and sending a sense of dread into play. Precarious guitar work echoes through, and we’re ensnared by the delicious solo that lingers well into the song’s finale. A track that, at first, seems simple, but is more complicated than it lets on.

Sneaking in is “Dark Fate” that has guitars at an all time high while bass chugs along in an unsettling harmony. It’s immediately catchy, with perfectly patterned riffs that get you moving. Giving me Kreator vibes with its slower rhythm and rough vocals calling out, this track is easy to find yourself head-bopping along with. It’s a break from the speed and relentlessness yet shows thrash strength all the same. Crafting a carefully timed solo, while still letting paranoia keep its grip, this track is an absolute delight to the senses. “Unveil your Face” fights us with rhythmic solos to kick off the battle. It immediately cranks the heat, blasting us with bludgeoning drums and punchy bass that really gets into your bones.

“On your feet, be brave,” gets under your skin in a way you feel both pressured to join in and obey. It’s as if the clash of percussion and guitar make for unmatched tension you simply cannot ignore.

This track holds my favourite guitar solo on the entire album that kicks off just before the 3-minute mark entering a breakdown of head-banging madness. A track to keep on your playlist.

“Rejected Prophecy” brings in the whine of guitar strings, changing the vibes from unison to rejection. It’s a track with a melody that spits in your face and denies your assigned destiny. A quick hitter rejected prophecy hammers us with the rejection of conformity and organized religion, that divinity and destiny are personalized and chosen by the individual path. This message is further enhanced by the high-octane harmony and noise of this track that keeps pushing until the very end.

Captivated by morality, we encounter “Burden Visions”. Stepping up on a lighter approach, this track truly tackles the inner workings of the human mind. Featuring tranquil vocals, we take a glimpse into the constant battle of light and dark that our mind endures.

It’s ethereal and somber in its composition, displaying the complexity in philosophical wanderings that Savant embraces. Far from the simplicity that Thrash can showcase, this track features the depth in which melody can enhance emotional turmoil. From blinding rage to relinquished desire, this ballad-like track picks up on the struggles within, with guitars soaring in and drums beating loudly.

A track that’s as divine as it is deep, Savant truly showcases their range on this one, giving us an instant classic, and for me, an immediate favourite.

“Walk Alone” kicks us in the teeth with some reminiscent Medadeth tuneage. Raucous guitars strum steadily while the melody swings up and down; a sway of momentum between thrash speed and eerie vocal harmony. It’s a quick track packed with raw solos and unpredictable rhythm that both perplexes and intrigues. Still, Savant waste no energy by pounding on the relentless fever of intensity, keeping this track in line with the album whilst still letting its own, unique dynamic stand out.

“Build Your Future” captures the extreme metal sensation with whining riffs and sporadic drum work. An ode to the future you create, through the many steps you choose to take, it’s an anthem to truth, bravery, and victory.

The repetitive chorus rings through, like a motivational howling that demands an answer.

How you separate yourself, despite your similarities to those around you, is what defines your path. Will you go along, swimming the rapid current, or will you take the upward stream away? It’s not nearly as heavy as the previous tunes but its one of many favourites for its constant strength and the courageous message at its core.

As we come to the album’s last tracks, “Before and After (roads)” rises to challenge our views. A crossroads of sorts, this track picks up the pace while remaining calm and smooth.

“Everything starts somewhere in time, a newborn dream beyond skyline red,” gives us that boost of confidence we need. The inspiration we feel to move forward. It’s a simple message that no matter where you are in life, there are always options. To start a new job, a new hobby, life in a new town, there are always new paths.

As you travel through your journey there will always be ‘before and after roads’; those that get you to where you are, and those that will take you where you WANT to go.

The album’s end comes with “Cyber Script(ures)” that rings in like a dreadful bell. Rhythm picks up and we’re met once more by Savant’s signature speed and vicious vocal strength.

“They’re trading privacy for wishes. Reality by dropper feeding addictions,” sets the stage as one hell of a vivid verse. The harsh vocals and truth that come with this fraction of lyrics packs a punch, relaying the life we’ve all come to know and embrace.

It’s a solid outro, fueled by our own doomed reality that many idly follow along with. Honesty is spewed in simple format, backed by a frightful melody and chugging bass that gets into your ears and sticks. It’s thoughtful, progressive, and harsh yet all too frequent.

To solidify not only their music but their message, Savant leaves off with this track, while we are left to face the heavy realizations they’ve set into motion.

Coming full circle, Savant unveil a titan of an album with Savant Attack filled with philosophical dread and morbid reality. And yet, they embrace the human reaction; how we deal with and make choices to change the feelings of dread and the impending doom knocking on our door. Pair their simplified, yet perplexing messages with feverish rhythms, unhinged riffs, and menacing bass lines, we are thrown into a pit of reflection that we can’t help but face down. Savant’s thrash reputation coupled with their dynamic embrace of metal combinations sets them up for familiarity yet admirable stance that’s hard to ignore.

You can stay up-to-date with Savant by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well as Bandcamp and YouTube!