From the garage to the stage

The Macedonian band, who gained recognition in the Balkan underground after recording their 1999 thrash metal demo “Lord of Hosts” are returning with reissued songs from their early years.

For anyone who remembers the band original era, this is more than just an old recording getting another release. It’s a chance to hear again what Savaot were doing at a time when the Balkan metal underground was developing its own identity.

After the 1999 demo brought the band recognition as a thrash metal act, Savaot took a very different direction with their first full-length album “Voice from Macedonia” released in 2000.

And that’s where things get really interesting.

From Thrash Metal to Macedonian Roots

“Voice from Macedonia” was a drastic stylistic change from the aggressive thrash metal of “Lord of Hosts”.

Instead of simply continuing down the thrash path, Savaot built an experimental sound around traditional Macedonian folk music, Balkan rhythms and regional musical traditions.

The album mixes acoustic guitar with instruments such as saxophone and flute, while keyboards create an atmospheric backdrop. The percussion also moves away from traditional metal patterns, incorporating folksy Balkan rhythms and tribal-sounding elements.

Vocally, the album is just as unusual.

Savaot drew heavily from Byzantine and South Slavic church chanting, with choir vocals adding another layer to the songs. Tracks such as “Jesus Is Lord”, “Alleluia” and “Christ Is Risen” use repetition and chant-like structures that give the album a distinctly regional character.

It’s a long way from the band thrash beginnings and that’s exactly what makes “Voice from Macedonia” stand out.

The new production

Now, after more than two decades, those songs are getting another chance to be heard.

Savaot’s lineup features Chopi on guitars and vocals, Richy on bass, Keljo on drums and Zoc on lead guitar and vocals.

For fans of Macedonian metal, this reissue is also a small trip back to a different era of the scene when bands were building their sound, recording demos and finding their place in the underground.

Savaot may have been away for more than 20 years, but their music is getting another spin.

Old songs. Old memories. A new chance to discover Savaot.

If you missed them the first time around, now might be a good time to hear what they were all about.