Savatage

Savatage
Savatage at Wacken Open Air 2015
Savatage at Wacken Open Air 2015
Background information
Also known asAvatar (1979–1983)
OriginTarpon Springs, Florida, U.S.
Genres
DiscographySavatage discography
Years active
  • 1979–2002
  • 2014–2015
  • 2023–present
Labels
Spinoffs
Members
Past members
Websitesavatage.com

Savatage (/ˈsævətɑːʒ/) is an American heavy metal band founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979 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 at least one other band. Savatage is considered to be an integral part of the American heavy metal movement of the early-to-mid-1980s and has been cited as a key influence on numerous subgenres of metal.[3][4][5][6][7]

Savatage has released eleven studio albums, two live albums, five 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.[8] 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 and more critically acclaimed than Fight for the Rock.[8][9] 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 lineup 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;[10] despite having discussed the possibility of more shows and new music,[11][12][13] the band resumed their hiatus. The members of Savatage claimed in interviews conducted in 2020–2021 that they were working on new material together,[14][15][16][17] with a reunion of the band confirmed by Jon Oliva in April 2023. The band is currently working on their first studio album in more than two decades, tentatively titled Curtain Call.[18][19][20]

  1. ^ "Savatage". Savatage.com. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  2. ^ "Savatage". Savatage.com. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  3. ^ Marco (July 25, 2018). "Marco's Guide to USPM Part 1". Ride Into Glory. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  4. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry (2007). Metal: The Definitive Guide : Heavy, NWOBH, Progressive, Thrash, Death, Black, Gothic, Doom, Nu. London, England: Jawbone Press. p. 262. ISBN 978-1-906002-87-9.
  5. ^ "JON OLIVA Says SAVATAGE Was One Of First Progressive Metal Bands". Blabbermouth.net. September 9, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  6. ^ "ALEX SKOLNICK, DAVID VINCENT Remember Late SAVATAGE Guitarist CRISS OLIVA". Blabbermouth.net. November 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  7. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (June 18, 2019). "Florida Death Metal's Gory Rise, Groundbreaking Reign: Definitive Oral History". Revolver. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Savatage – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  9. ^ "The Official Savatage Homepage". Savatage.com. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  10. ^ "W:O:A 2015 – first band announcements!". Wacken.com. August 2, 2014. Archived from the original on August 4, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  11. ^ "Chris Caffery Says 'There's A Possibility' Savatage Will Do 'Something More' After Wacken Performance". Blabbermouth.net. December 21, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  12. ^ "Jon Oliva Wants To 'Get In Shape' And 'Knock People Out' At Savatage Reunion". Blabbermouth.net. December 25, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  13. ^ "ZAK STEVENS Talks SAVATAGE – "We Need To Work Hard To Make Sure We Light A Big Fire"". Bravewords.com. October 24, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  14. ^ "SAVATAGE Are Plotting Their Return - "JON OLIVA Is Always Working On New Music, Constantly Sending Me New Songs And New Ideas," Says Guitarist AL PITRELLI". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  15. ^ "CHRIS CAFFERY Talks TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Livestream Event, SAVATAGE Reunion - "Every 20 Years There's A Savatage Record - It Will Be 20 Years In 2022"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  16. ^ "SAVATAGE's JON OLIVA Battled COVID-19 For Two Months: 'I Wouldn't Have Wished It On My Worst Enemy In The World'". Blabbermouth.net. March 21, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  17. ^ "CHRIS CAFFERY Is 'Optimistic' There Will Be A New SAVATAGE Album". Blabbermouth.net. March 21, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  18. ^ BraveWords. "JON OLIVA Reveals New SAVATAGE Album Working Title, Lineup And More - "This Will Probably Be The Last Record We Ever Make, Ever"; Video". bravewords.com. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  19. ^ Blabbermouth (April 20, 2023). "JON OLIVA Says Upcoming SAVATAGE Album And Tour Will Be His 'Way Of Saying Goodbye To Everybody'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  20. ^ Team, Editorial (April 20, 2023). "JON OLIVA Confirms New SAVATAGE Album to Tentatively Arrive Next April: 'This Will Probably Be The Last Record We Ever Make'". Sonic Perspectives. Retrieved May 4, 2023.