Savatage ~ USA ~ Tampa, Florida

Sirens (1983)

I've mentioned Sirens on plenty of posts in the past but have never featured or written anything about it directly. I purchased this on the same fateful January 1984 day that I acquired Manilla Road's Crystal Logic while still on winter break from college. Neither album had much initial impact on me. They were both slow growers. Today I consider Manilla Road's album close to the top tier, whereas Sirens remains merely excellent to my ears. Primarily that's because there isn't any one track that makes you sit up and proclaim "did you hear that?" That is to say, there is no 'Dreams of Eschaton' here. But what Sirens did bring was a superbly crafted traditional heavy metal album. Fantastic bass heavy production with crunchy guitars and Jon Oliva's unique snarling and yelping vocals. Not a dud track among the nine songs on display. Though the band were to later incorporate progressive rock and opera themes, I prefer this earlier incarnation of the group. I think they were to peak on The Dungeons are Calling EP before experimenting with more commercial music and then onto the aforementioned progressive rock ideas of Hall of the Mountain King. Sirens is slower and heavier than the bands it's often compared to such as late 70s Judas Priest, same era Iron Maiden, and early Queensryche. It fills a unique space inside of an obvious context.

Ownership: 

1983 Par (LP). "Legal rights" on the label version. 
2002 Metal Blade (CD). Silver anniversary edition. Liner notes written by former drummer Steve Wacholz. Features three relevant bonus tracks likely taken from the same era (though not documented). 

1//84 (acquired); 1/21/13; 9/28/19; 9/21/23 (review)

Power of the Night (1985)

I bought this when it first came out, but by the 90s I had become tired of this kind of traditional metal sound. Though fortunately the first two Savatage albums (including the EP) still resonated and have continued to become legend in my mind (as noted here). Both are treasured parts of the collection. In retrospect I can see my initial dissatisfaction with Power of the Night, as the album is more straightforward and it wheezes out at the end. But I love the way Savatage brings those big riffs and Chris Oliva yelps his lines. And that heavy bottom rhythm. Keeper for now.

Ownership: 1985 Atlantic (LP)

6//85 (first acquired); 7/15/23 (reacquired / review)

The Dungeons Are Calling (1985)

The Dungeons are Calling is Savatage's second effort, and is a blistering set of six traditional metal tunes. Easily Savatage's heaviest album, I would have to disagree this constitutes nothing more than leftovers.  There are three absolute monster tracks here: 'City Beneath the Surface' sounds like Sabbath's Sabotage album taken to the 3rd power. The title track and 'By the Grace of the Witch' are crushingly heavy, but also melodic and memorable. Jon Oliva is really belting them out here with the best of them. And brother Criss' guitar sound is exactly it. Even the weaker tracks are no slouches. 'Visions' sounds like many a Mausoleum type European rumbler, while 'The Whip' could have been lifted straight from Judas Priest's Defenders of the Faith session.

Ownership: 

1984 Combat (EP)

2002 Metal Blade (CD). Silver Anniversary with bonus tracks.

3//85 (acquired); 12//04; 2/2/16 (review)

Also own and need to review: Hall of the Mountain King; Edge of Thorns; Poets and Madmen

Once owned the following: Fight for the Rock; Streets; Dead Winter Dead

12/4/16 (new entry)