Savatage (/ˈsævətɑːʒ/) was an American heavy metal band founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The band was first called Avatar,[1] but, shortly before the release of their debut album Sirens (1983),[2] they changed their name to Savatage, as Avatar was already taken by another band. Savatage is considered a significant member of the American heavy metal movement of the early-to-mid-1980s and has been cited as a key influence on many genres, such as power metal, progressive metal, speed metal, thrash metal, death metal and symphonic metal.[3][4][5][6]
Savatage has released eleven studio albums, two live albums, four compilations and three EPs. The band first reached substantial commercial success with its third studio album Fight for the Rock (1986), which peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200.[7] Its next four albums—Hall of the Mountain King (1987), Gutter Ballet (1989), Streets: A Rock Opera (1991) and Edge of Thorns (1993)—were also successful but more critically acclaimed than Fight for the Rock.[7][8] On October 17, 1993, six months after the release of Edge of Thorns, guitarist Criss Oliva was killed in a car accident. Following his death, Jon (along with producer Paul O’Neill) decided to continue Savatage in memory of his brother. The band released four more studio albums, and went through several line-up changes before going on an extended hiatus in 2002. During the years—partly even before the hiatus—members founded various new bands such as Jon Oliva’s Pain, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Circle II Circle and Doctor Butcher. On August 2, 2014, Savatage announced that they were reuniting for the 2015 Wacken Open Air;[9] despite having discussed the possibility of more shows and new music,[10][11][12] the band went on hiatus once again. Although Savatage technically remains inactive, half of the members of the band claimed in interviews during late 2020 and early 2021 that they have been working on new material for a possible follow-up to Poets and Madmen (2001).[13][14][15]
Discography:
Vocals (1983-1993, 2000-2002, 2014-2015), Keyboards (1986-1992, 1993-2002, 2014-2015)
See also: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ex-Doctor Butcher, ex-Jon Oliva’s Pain, ex-Avatar, Oliva, ex-Alien, ex-Black Diamond, ex-Metropolis
Johnny Lee Middleton
Bass, Vocals (backing) (1985-2002, 2014-2015)
See also: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Big Shooter, Cold Blooded Sapphire, Johnny Lee Middleton, ex-Lefty
Chris Caffery
Guitars, Vocals (backing) (1989-1990, 1994-2002, 2014-2015)
See also: Artension, Chris Caffery, Spirits of Fire, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Doro (live), ex-Doctor Butcher, ex-Metal Church (live), ex-Tim Ripper Owens (live), ex-John West, ex-Metalium, ex-Rondinelli, ex-Big Mouth, ex-Dirty Looks, ex-Witchdoctor, ex-Adam Bomb (live), ex-Heaven (live), ex-Spread Eagle (live)
Zak Stevens
Vocals (lead) (1993-2000, 2014-2015)
See also: Archon Angel, Circle II Circle, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ex-Wicked Witch of Boston, ex-Machines of Grace
Jeff Plate
Drums (1994-2002, 2014-2015)
See also: Alta Reign, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ex-Wicked Witch of Boston, ex-Machines of Grace, Sunsonic, ex-Metal Church, ex-Chris Caffery (live), ex-John West, ex-Doctor Butcher
Al Pitrelli
Guitars, Vocals (backing) (1994-1999, 2002, 2014-2015)
See also: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ex-Widowmaker, ex-Van Helsing’s Curse, O’2L, ex-Megadeth, ex-Alice Cooper, ex-Asia, ex-Blue Öyster Cult, ex-CPR, ex-Danger Danger, ex-Flesh & Blood, ex-Hotshot, ex-Michael Bolton, ex-Mojo Bros., ex-Morning Wood, ex-Place Called Rage, ex-Talas, ex-Vertex
Past Members:
| Keith “Thumper” Collins | Bass (1983-1985) |
| See also: ex-Krunch, ex-Avatar, ex-Jack Starr’s Burning Starr, ex-Solar | |
| Steve “Doc” Wacholz | Drums (1983-1993) |
| See also: Reverence, ex-Avatar, ex-Crimson Glory, ex-Metropolis | |
| Criss Oliva | Guitars (1983-1993) |
| (R.I.P. 1993) See also: ex-Avatar, ex-Black Diamond, ex-Metropolis, ex-Tower | |
| Alex Skolnick | Guitars (1994) |
| See also: Metal Allegiance, Testament, ex-Legacy, Alex Skolnick Trio, ex-Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ex-Anthrax (live), ex-Ozzy Osbourne (live), ex-Attention Deficit, ex-Exhibit-A, ex-Stu Hamm (live) | |
| Jack Frost | Guitars (2000-2001) |
| See also: Frost, Seven Witches, The Bronx Casket Co., Circle II Circle (live), ex-Bird of Prey, ex-Farley’s Ritual, ex-Frost Bite, ex-Speeed, ex-Randall Frost Project, Between Worlds, Aldo Nova (live), Jean Beauvoir (live), ex-Belladonna, ex-Lizzy Borden (live), ex-Marshall Law, ex-Metalium | |
| Damond Jiniya | Vocals (lead) (2001-2002) |
| See also: Lover of Sin (live), Herman/Nebula, ex-Diet of Worms |
| 1. | 24 Hrs. Ago | 04:56 | Show lyrics |
| 2. | Beyond the Doors of the Dark | 05:09 | Show lyrics |
| 3. | Legions | 04:51 | Show lyrics |
| 4. | Strange Wings | 03:46 | Show lyrics |
| 5. | Prelude to Madness | 03:14 | instrumental |
| 6. | Hall of the Mountain King | 05:33 | Show lyrics |
| 7. | The Price You Pay | 03:52 | Show lyrics |
| 8. | White Witch | 03:22 | Show lyrics |
| 9. | Last Dawn | 01:07 | instrumental |
| 10. | Devastation | 03:38 | Show lyrics |
| 39:28 |
batsival.com 
Stained Glass Assassin, March 10th, 2019
When it comes to metal, not just power metal, “Hall of the Mountain King” has to be one of the shining moments in metal history. There’s no doubt in my mind that this particular album is one of those landmark albums that helped shape my mind to the world of metal as I know it and if I had to guess, you might feel that way as well. Aside from being Savatage’s magnum opus, this album epitomizes what it means putting your heart and soul into an album. They say, you only get out what you put in. Well, it won’t take long to realize that the guys from Savatage put every ounce of their metal souls into this album, as the output is simply a masterpiece.
First and foremost, this is far and away, the best vocal performance of Jon Oliva’s career. I’ve enjoyed every piece of work of his, be it Savatage, his solo work or even TSO, but nothing will ever live up to “Hall of the Mountain King.” His trademark wails and shrieks once again, share center stage as the driving force of this album. Now, if you’ve listened to Savatage, this is nothing new, but the amount of emotion and passion Oliva poured into his vocals on this album can truly be heard as he belts out his haunting shrieks on “Hall of the Mountain King”. Of course, Jon’s vocal range is very diverse and there is seemingly no limit to his ability. Whether it’s clean singing, deeper raspy vocals or his harsh shouts, his voice sounds perfectly in tune with the atmosphere of the album; dark, dynamic and powerful.
I mentioned that Jon’s vocals shared the spotlight as the driving force. That is because the second of this two headed giant of power metal brilliance belongs to his brother, Criss’ guitar work. Now, I have mentioned Criss Oliva’s magnificent guitar work before, so I won’t heap too much praise that I have for this man’s ability. Criss plays a wide variety of riffs that are simply exuberant, creating a powerful and robust sound, but also maintains a melodic touch that gives each song its own unique characteristic. The guitar tone set on this album is what I would say, the purest definition of heavy metal. It’s a sound that energizes its listener and captivates your attention while sticking with you long after you listen. The solos on “Hall of the Mountain King” erupt with such fluidity and power, yet are not simply bouts of shredding madness. Yes, there are some speedy solos, but others rely on tempo shifts and melodic sounding chords that help showcase both Criss’ songwriting and ability to wield his axe.
I’ll admit, that due to the Oliva’s musical magical they share, that Doc Wacholz’s drums can almost seem lost within such majesty. That may hold true on many Savatage albums, but on “Hall of the Mountain King” they are just as magical and every part as important to the overall sound. The pounding on the titular track sets the tone of the song, establishing a forceful rhythm and energetic pulse that accentuates the Oliva magic. The same can be said for the bass, which is given more than enough spotlight to showcase it’s heavy, yet playful grooves (see the opening of “Legions”), while the keyboards and pianos help create an enchanting sound that only adds to the already mythological atmosphere of the album.
From start to finish, “Hall of the Mountain King is a Tour de Force. Each song carries it own story, one that adds an additional layer to the album as a whole. From the Iron Maiden sounding “Devastation” to the speed metal laced “White Witch” and the cover of Edvard Grieg’s “Prelude to Madness”. Everything, from the songwriting, musicianship, producing, mastering, hell even the cover art is top notch. When you excel at every facet of creativity, you produced an album such as “Hall of the Mountain King” and you produce one of the pinnacles of heavy metal history.
Highlights: “Hall of the Mountain King” “White Witch” “Beyond the Doors of the Dark” “The Price You Pay”
Into the Abyss of Oblivion
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