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SavatageSavatage is a progressive metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979. The band is known for their mountain of sweeping concept albums. Jon and Criss formed the band in Florida with the name "Metropolis", which was changed soon to "Avatar". With this name the band released an EP called "City beneath a Surface" in 1982 and took part in some heavy metal compilations. However the band had to be renamed again because of another band with the same name and so "Savatage" (a mixture of Avatar and Savage) was born. Jon Oliva became the lead singer, Criss Oliva took the guitar passages on himself, Steve Wacholz was the band's drummer and Keith Collins became the bass guitar player, but was soon replaced by Johnny Lee Middleton. The first works by Savatage were strongly influenced by famous metal bands such as Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. Their first two albums "Sirens" and "The Dungeons are calling" were released on an independent label. In 1985 Atlantic Recording Corporation made a contract with them and released their third album. After the release of their forth album Savatage had been touring with Metallica, KISS and Motrhead in 1986. In 1987 Savatage released their first commercially successful album "The Hall of the Mountain King" which was the base for the band's fame all over the world. This album introduced a new style that would shape the band's future: It was an expansive concept album, featuring symphonic instrumentals and the influence of their new producer, Paul O'Neill. The concept album style would become a tradition with their next album, Gutter Ballet. A new band member was introduced in 1988: Chris Caffery, who had been playing with Savatage the whole tour in 1987, as second guitar player. In 1991 the band created their first rock opera, Streets. After their tour, though, Jon Olivia was forced to step down from his position of lead vocalist because of increasing vocal problems. Zak Stevens took over the position, and the band recorded their next album, Edge of Thorns, another expansive concept album. For the first time the band began to see chances of mainstream success and recognition, getting radio playtime and a world tour results. In almost bitter irony, though, Chris Olivia was killed by a drunk driven in a car accident. The loss of their lead guitarist shook the band, but they decided to persevere and continue his memory. Alex Skolnick temporarily joined Savatage for their release of their ninth album, Handful of Rain, written by Jon and Paul. Chris' memory was held in such songs as Somewhere in Time, a personal ode and song to him. After the tour, though, Alex left. Chris Caffery and Al Pitrelli join the band. The band releases their second rock opera, Dead Winter Dead, an ambitious project that would rely heavily on symphony. "Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24" achieves radio popularity during the Christmas season. While they toured the Europe and Japan, they forwent on an American tour to work on their new project: Christmas Eve and Other Stories, recorded by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, comprising of Savatage and a large orchestra. Their eleventh album is released in 1998, The Wake of Magellan, dealing with concepts such as the worth of a life, suicide and drug abuse, basing itself around real-life events such as the Maersk Dubai. Savatage would focus on TSO for a while, releasing Christmas Attic, but the release of Poets and Madmen in 2001 highlighted Jon Olivia's return as lead vocalist. Lineup Current Lineup: - Jon Oliva - Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Damond Jiniya - Lead Vocals
- Chris Caffery - Guitars
- Al Pitrelli - Guitars, left in 1999 to join Megadeth, rejoined when Megadeth disbanded
- Johnny Lee Middleton - Bass Guitar
- Jeff Plate - Drums
Former members: - Criss Oliva - Guitars, died in a car accident in October 17, 1993
- Steve Wacholz - Drums, left in 1993
- Keith Collins - Bass Guitar, was asked to leave in 1985
- Zachary Stevens - left in 2000
- Jack Frost - Guitars
Discography External links
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