DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell has reunited with his former SWEET SAVAGE bandmates to record new material for the first time in nearly 45 years, according to an exclusive revelation by SWEET SAVAGE frontman Ray Haller in an interview with Eonmusic’s Eamon O’Neill.
Speaking backstage at last weekend’s Download Festival, Haller revealed that Campbell has recorded two brand-new tracks with the Belfast heavy metal pioneers, marking his first studio work with SWEET SAVAGE since leaving the band in 1982.
Campbell, who later rose to international prominence with Dio, Whitesnake and Def Leppard, has maintained a close friendship with Haller over the years and has now become involved in an upcoming archival release celebrating SWEET SAVAGE’s early history and legacy.
“Universal want to put out all the old stuff, so we’re going to,” Haller told Eonmusic. “We’ve gone through all these tapes and all these recordings from the ’80s. Then Viv and I came up with the idea, ‘Why don’t we do two new ones?’ So we recorded two new songs, and they’re ready to rock and roll.”
The new recordings will be included alongside a collection of previously unreleased and rare SWEET SAVAGE material from the band’s classic era. According to Haller, the release will highlight the strength of the band’s early songwriting and recordings, underscoring why they became one of the most highly regarded acts of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and earned lasting respect within the heavy metal community.
Although the new tracks were originally planned for release this year, the project has been delayed due to scheduling conflicts. Campbell’s extensive touring commitments with Def Leppard have limited the time available for promotion, leading SWEET SAVAGE to postpone the release and set their sights on an early 2027 launch instead.
“We think it would be more advantageous to hold it until the start of next year,” Haller explained. “The two new songs are absolutely amazing. It’s Viv, and it’s the Viv that we know.”
The announcement marks a remarkable full-circle moment for SWEET SAVAGE. Campbell co-founded the Belfast band alongside Haller during their teenage years, helping to shape a sound that would go on to influence generations of metal musicians. Although his time with the group was relatively short, his distinctive guitar work on the band’s early recordings became a cornerstone of SWEET SAVAGE’s legacy and an enduring part of its appeal.
SWEET SAVAGE’s status as an influential force in heavy metal was further reinforced when Metallica recorded a cover of “Killing Time” as the B-side to 1991’s “The Unforgiven” single. Haller has often acknowledged that endorsement as a pivotal moment for the band, helping introduce SWEET SAVAGE to a worldwide audience and reigniting interest in the group years after its original breakup.
Campbell’s return comes at a time when SWEET SAVAGE is experiencing renewed momentum, following the successful release of its critically acclaimed 2025 album, Bang. At the same time, the band is working on an extensive retrospective project that will revisit and celebrate its formative recordings, offering fans a deeper look into the group’s influential early years.
For fans of both SWEET SAVAGE and Campbell’s distinguished career, the opportunity to hear the guitarist reunite with the band that launched his musical journey promises to be one of the most anticipated and intriguing metal releases of 2027. The project not only celebrates SWEET SAVAGE’s enduring legacy but also brings Campbell full circle, reconnecting with the group that helped lay the foundations for his remarkable career in heavy metal.
