Published: July 10, 2025
Photo: Mark Hylands
Before joining DIO and DEF LEPPARD, guitarist VIVIAN CAMPBELL cut his teeth in SWEET SAVAGE — now, the rock metal cult band is back with Bang, their first new album in years.
Formed in Belfast in 1979 by bassist and vocalist Ray Haller and future Dio/Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, Sweet Savage were part of the first wave of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
But unlike their peers, Sweet Savage never released a full album during their first run. Instead, they became underground legends, gaining wide recognition after Metallica covered their track "Killing Time" and released it as the B-side of their multi-platinum single "The Unforgiven." The friendship between the two legendary bands continues to this day.
Sweet Savage are not here to revive nostalgia, but still, on the new album, their roots are unmistakable — aggressive, fast-paced metal infused with industrial textures and punk rock's DIY ethos.
From the explosive title track to the slower, hard-hitting "Live and Die" and the anthemic "The Chosen One," the album keeps shifting gears without losing punch. Every track feels urgent and direct — this is the sound of a band with nothing to prove and everything to say.
Frontman Ray Haller is backed by longtime drummer Marty McCloskey and guitar force Phil Edgar. The album features guitar work by former band member Simon McBride, who toured and recorded with the band before launching his solo career and joining Deep Purple.
Sweet Savage is back with BANG — and yes, the album hits as hard as the title suggests.
BANG TRACK LISTING:
"Bang"
"Bad F Robot"
"Leave Me Alone"
"I See the Light"
"I Don't Know"
"Live and Die"
"The Meltdown"
"Mad World"
"The Chosen One"
"Dirtland"
"Time"
"Outside"
"Victorious"
LP SIDE SPLIT:
Side A: 1-6
Side B: 7-13
BANG FORMATS:
*1CD Digipak
*LP (black, 180g, Gatefold)
*Ltd. LP (Transparent Red)
*Digital
METALLICA frontman James Hetfield joined SWEET SAVAGE on stage at an August 20, 2008 concert at Marlay Park in Dublin, Ireland (where SWEET SAVAGE supported METALLICA) to perform "Killing Time"
Campbell was a member of SWEET SAVAGE from 1979 until 1982, when he joined DIO.
