January 29, 2019

Episode 24 – This is the Ritual of Divination: Nasty Savage ’87/’88

58 minutes

Emerging from the swampy wastes of Florida, Nasty Savage created a body of work built on the inimitable vocals of Ronnie Galetti (aka Nasty Ronnie), hammering percussion, and a harmonic guitar language that has yet to be replicated. This episode of Radical Research takes a focused look at the band's most feverishly creative period, represented by 1987's Indulgence LP and 1988's Abstract Reality EP. Neither thrash nor power metal nor prog, these two pieces of music vibrate at a pitch all their own, but have influenced artists who occupy a broad space of the heavy metal spectrum. Join us as we disinter these savage gems and apply the RR scalpel. And remember: You Snooze, You Lose!

Note I: Nasty Savage was among the first metal bands to popularize the use of Morrisound Studio in Tampa, Florida, which would come to be known as the crucible of the then-primordial Florida Death Metal scene.

Note II: We briefly mention the cover art that attends the two subject albums, rendered by Lewis VanDercar. Your Radical Research hosts are passionate advocates of visual surrealism and VanDercar is one of the form's most unsung practitioners. You are urged, should you be so inclined, to investigate the man's work.

Note III: You could do way worse than buy this thing right now: https://www.discogs.com/Nasty-Savage-Indulgence-Abstract-Reality/release/3063475

Note IV: And you could do plenty worse than checking out LotFP’s RPG, Towers Two, with a special discount -- at this link only -- for Radical Research listeners: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?discount=96d8ca0fe

Note V: The steady band lineup of Galetti/Meyer/Austin/Beeson had trouble keeping a bass player for any length of time. The bassists on Indulgence and Abstract Reality were Dezso Istvan Bartha and Chris Moorhouse (RIP), respectively. Hail.

Music cited, in order of appearance:

“Stabbed in the Back” (Indulgence, 1987)

“Divination” (Indulgence, 1987)

“Indulgence” (Indulgence, 1987)

“Inferno” (Indulgence, 1987)

“Hypnotic Trance” (Indulgence, 1987)

“Incursion Dementia” (Indulgence, 1987)

“Distorted Fanatic” (Indulgence, 1987)

“?” (Indulgence, 1987)

“Abstract Reality” (Abstract Reality, 1988)

“Eromantic Vertigo” (Abstract Reality, 1988)

“You Snooze, You Lose” (Abstract Reality, 1988)

“Unchained Angel” (Abstract Reality, 1988)

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.

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