The Savage Hearts burst on the scene with “Gang War/Speed Kills,” a searing double A-side that captures rock ‘n’ roll’s wild heart. Hailing from the thick gloss of the North x Northwest of Ireland is this sweaty, no-holds-bred troop led by Evan Walsh paying raw, unsanitized homage to mythical Cavan rock hero Eddie Cruizer.
Drenched in garage rock grit, psychedelic fuzz, and a thunderous rhythm and blues swagger, “Gang War” howls with raw energy. This is a street-level narrative, the pulsing tension of colliding worlds. It’s a savage salute to rock’s rebellious origins, served with devil-may-care vocals and a thicket of wild guitar riffs.
Turn the record over, and “Speed Kills” doesn’t just keep momentum: It puts it into overdrive. A lo-fi, speed-freak anthem, it’s a sonic whirlwind that encapsulates Cruizer’s frenetic musical vision. The pounding drums and mangled wails suck you into the raw core of rock’s most uncontrolled, unrepentant side.
The Savage Hearts aren’t merely bringing back a sound but reviving a legacy. With profound respect for the obscure brilliance of Eddie Cruizer, they’ve created a soundscape that feels simultaneously timeless and unstable. “Gang War/Speed Kills” is a fierce declaration of devotion to rock ‘n’ roll’s wild side.
This is not an easy release, not for the faint of heart. It’s for people who live to reach inside a roaring distortion box and find their own way to be free. In come the Savage Hearts, and they’re going to set the world on fire.