Jon Oliva's Pain
Global Warning

In this 2008, among the various more or less anticipated record releases, this "Global Warning" by "Pain" of the great (in every sense now...) Jon Oliva has also been released.

Before analyzing the album, one thing must be clarified: it's useless to delude oneself, the Savatage probably will never come back, and their last work may be destined to remain that "Poets and Madmen" released back in 2001; possibly due to commitments, with Jon juggling between the Pain and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, singer Zak Stevens now completely focused on his Circle II Circle, guitarist Chris Caffery dealing with his solo career... or perhaps more simply economic issues.

So is everything lost? Not really, because those looking for the raw yet melodic sound of the old Savatage would do well to listen to "Global Warning". The product is indeed as close as you can get to the Floridian combo's sound, proudly declared by Jon himself: it is no coincidence that many parts were written together with his late brother Criss in the '80s when they were composing their greatest masterpieces.

In this work, therefore, we find all the souls that accompanied the metamorphosis of Savatage during their career: from rawer and purely metal pieces reminiscent of their beginnings with "Sirens", to the symphonic elements of the "Dead Winter Dead" era, all enhanced by a couple of excellent slow ballads, some good solid mid-tempo tracks ("Walk upon the Water"), and also a few daring experiments (chief among them "Master", with muffled sounds and effected voices).

The band's performance is excellent, particularly guitarist Matt LaPorte, who is both tasteful and skilled, proving to be an excellent performer of both biting riffs and inspiring melodic solos, so much so that in some instances he recalls Criss Oliva. Praise also goes to Kevin Rothney on bass and Christopher Kinder on drums, both engaged in supporting and dictating the rhythms of various songs, a task that is not easily accomplished at times due to the constant tempo changes and breaks in pure progressive style that characterize some tracks, especially "The Ride," with its acoustic-electric alternation in the verses and chorus. Above all, there is the piano and especially the vocal work of Jon, finally back to high levels (despite years of excess and suffering having obviously taken their toll): here, he is capable of transitioning from rough, gritty, almost shouted tones to sweeter and more melodic lines, almost moving in their interpretation, as in the wonderful ballad "Firefly".

In short, an excellent work, which has not enjoyed the right attention it undoubtedly deserves. Savatage fans will find everything they desire and can’t help but travel back in time when hearing tracks like "Stories" and "You Never Know", which are reworkings of pieces written during the "Streets" sessions; or even get emotional over the notes of the ballad "Open Your Eyes", dramatic and theatrical as hasn’t been heard since the days of "Believe"...

A final mention for the lyrics, strongly cynical, disillusioned, and critical towards society, technology, and the decay affecting our world, reducing it to a poor sick body scarred by wars, diseases, and indifference.

In conclusion, a highly recommended album, hoping that this is not the last work Jon Oliva offers us, as he is one of the few figures in the rock-metal world still capable of communicating emotion armed only with his voice and a piano.