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Rating: For the column "reviews from memory" of (not sure what this means so keeping it as is) Venerdì, I am proposing an album by Savatage, a highly respected American band for unforgettable albums like Streets, Edge of Thorns, and so on.
You should know that these guys, before developing their grandiose and choral style that made them famous, were dedicated to a somewhat more conventional heavy-metal. After a couple of raw chapters—Dungeons are Calling and Sirens—they came up with this unique masterpiece.
In this work, we already find some indications of the path that our Savatage would follow, but inserted in a context still fully heavy metal. But what makes this album extraordinary (also in the sense of extra-ordinary) is a certain aggressiveness in the compositions, characterized by sharp guitar work and captivating and evil vocal melodies that offer little concession to the airiness and weightiness of some of their later compositions.
Much credit goes, on one hand, to that heavy-set Jon Oliva with his unmistakable slightly gritty timbre and high tones delivering an excellent interpretation of the tracks on the disc for posterity, and on the other hand, to the legendary Criss Oliva, who weaves very original riffs and solos with great personality and mastery, all supported by a rhythm section that, as usual, is not spectacular but solid. I'll sketch a description of the tracks. The opener “24 hours ago” fully encapsulates the exceptional elements of this work, great riffs and scream-worthy vocal melodies (in every sense) setting us up favorably for the listening. The track is swiftly followed by “Beyond the doors of the dark”.
After an evocative intro where an insane tapestry of keyboards and clean guitars forms the backdrop for Jon's vocal acrobatics—who casually shifts from low tones to almost childlike ones—the song unfolds into a compelling verse that leads into one of Criss's fantastic riffs, as usual showcasing his class and compositional personality.
Next comes the energetic and tumultuous “Legions”, characterized once again by devious and fitting vocal melodies. With “Strange Wings” there is room for slightly simpler and lighter musical solutions—like the verse with the acoustic guitar—but of sure effect and by no means obvious, all crowned by a very catchy refrain. After an orchestral prelude starts the excellent title track, once again graced by a vitriolic riff. We are perhaps facing the peak of the album, with a great Jon who screams a cappella "In the hall of the mountain kiiiiiing," getting all of us a bit pumped.
The second part of the album offers perhaps less memorable but still very respectable episodes, among which stands out the intense “White Witch” which harkens back to the sound of the band's early albums, and the final “Devastation”, embellished by the acoustic guitar of the late Criss.
Ultimately, it's a unique and irreplaceable episode in the discography of Savatage, if you don't have it and are their fan, feel guilty. Rock On
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 24 Hrs. Ago (04:55)
Behind the wheel just went along I'm tired of hearing the same old song Look I rule the night No end in sight I think I'm going insane, oh yeah Engines grind I hit the red line I'm movin' fast Forget the past I'm burning tread In my head I am gone Twenty four hours ago Yeah Got to escape Can't take any more I grabbed my suitcase And kicked down the door Yeah I've got blood shot eyes Hypnotized I feel no pain Oh yeah Engines grind I hit the red line I'm movin' fast Forget the past I'm burning tread In my head I am gone Twenty four hours ago Yeah Engines grind I hit the red line I'm movin' fast Forget the past I'm burning tread In my head I am gone Twenty four hours ago Yeah Twenty four hours ago Yeah
02 Beyond the Doors of the Dark (05:08)
Listen to me children of the night
Beyond the doors of darkness you will find
A thousand worlds for you to see here
Take my hand and follow me, oh
Beyond the doors of the dark
Demon in your heart
Scream and thrash your head
Turn around now you're dead
Under the darkened haze
Lost here in glaze
Are you looking to be free
A never ending suicide
Of nightmares you have inside
Another day's begun
Under the moon and sun
Circle has been drawn
Life has been prolonged
Hell is eternity
Hell is your destiny
I'll tell you to die
A never ending suicide
Of nightmares you have inside
Oh, beyond the doors of the dark yeah
Beyond the doors of the dark
Oh yeah
It's time to meet your fate
Heaven can wait
All the walls are closing in
Things crawl on your skin
He's grabbing down at you
There's nothing you can do
No place to run and hide
A never ending suicide
Of nightmares you have inside
He wants to take your soul
You know you're dreaming
Call your precious little life under my knife
Hell is eternity
Hell is your destiny
I'll tell you to die
Never ending suicide
Of nightmares you have inside
Beyond the doors of the dark
Beyond the doors of the dark
Oh yeah
Beyond the doors of the dark
Beyond the doors of the dark
Oh yeah
No no
03 Legions (04:50)
A call from the night
metal storming masses
In the lies
Battle cry
Screaming to the night
Oh no
Summon up the legions
To do our deeds
Our legion's needs
Are growing every day
We're coming out tonight
We come from the darker light
Join your hands and pray
Maybe you can all be saved
Legions of the night
Legions of the night
Good god
Legions of the night
Can they hear your battle cry
Cry out
But what does it matter?
There's no way to escape
The hold we have on you
Ohh ho
Controlled by the master
Infiltrate
Penetrate
Your little precious minds
We're coming out tonight
We come from the darker light
Join your hands and pray
Maybe you can all be saved
Legions of the night
Legions of the night
Good god
Legions of the night
Can they hear your battle cry
Scream loud
Let the masses hear you
Banging hard across the ground
Shatter the darkest lights
Oh no
Heed the master's calling
Congregate
Celebrate
The power you've obtained
Good god
Legions of the night
Legions of the night
Good god
Can I hear your battle cry, yeah
04 Strange Wings (03:45)
She is a native of the stormy skies, yeah
I, I caught a glimpse from the depths of my eyes
Atop a black winged mare
Casting a wicked stare
She throws her head back
And rides into the night
She flies strange wings
Behind a thin disguise
She flies strange wings
Still tears she cries
Oh I, I followed her
To the brink of dawn, yeah
She, she took control of my very soul, yeah
She's still a mystery
In her arms I long to be
I don't know why
I turn and reach to the sky
She flies strange wings
Behind a thin disguise
She flies strange wings
Still tears she cries
She flies strange wings
Behind a thin disguise
She flies strange wings
Still tears she cries
Strange Wings
Behind a thin disguise
Strange Wings
Tears she cries
06 Hall of the Mountain King (05:33)
Far away
In a land caught between time and space
Where the books of life lay
Within this castle of stone
The mountain king roams
All alone in here
But he's not the only one
Lost inside
Forever hidden from the sun
Madness reigns
In the hall of the mountain king
Oh yeah
His deep
Dark eyes keep watch on his kingdom
And mysteries that sleep safe inside
His hall
His towers of stone
Shall not be overthrown
For eternity
They are guarded by the king
Insanity and the power that it brings
Madness reigns
In the hall of the mountain king
Oh yeah
Come with me
Stay close by my side
As the darkness of night closes in
Don't fear
In the thunder, it roars
When the mountain king calls all his children home
To where I hid him we must run
Refuge here
But I was forever on the run
Madness reigns, my friends...
In the hall of the mountain king
Oh yeah
In the hall of the mountain king
07 The Price You Pay (03:51)
I know you're all alone tonight
And I hear your cries
From the world that lies
Beyond these lives
You've got dreams inside
They cut
I know
Cut so deep but you never show
That's the price you pay
That's the price you pay
Is your soul on the line my dear
As you take your bows
To a silent crowd
That never hears
Close your eyes for now
And leave your rage
Take my hand and walk the stage
That's the price you pay
That's the price you pay
That's the price you pay
That's the price you pay
There's no need to worry
Cause you have tomorrows
Another phase of life has begun
Am I getting through to you?
Can your mind reach beyond tonight
I believe your love for life
Will never die
So my child you ask
What does this mean
Cut the chains and chase the dream
That's the price you pay
That's the price you pay
That's the price you pay
That's the price you pay
Ooh yeah
That's the price you pay
When you come here to play
10 Devastation (03:37)
Waiting for disaster
Blackness in the night
I roam the world
To hear the cry
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide
2000 brings
The untimely end
Of all living things
The Four Horsemen have started their ride
Can you see them in the sky
Glaring down at the ground
Smile on their face
As they commence
The end of the human race
Total devastation
Prepare yourself for death
This world's insane
Start your fields afire
Watching them burn
Tomorrow will be
Another world's turn
To win is the end
To be a part of judgment day
We should have listened
To what Christ had to say
Total devastation
Prepare yourself for death
This world's insane
What do you say
We all have our chances of living in peace
Now I'm afraid you're in too deep
What can you do when you're a fool
It all goes this way
You should have listened
To what Christ had to say
Total devastation
Prepare yourself to die
This world's insane
No no no no
This world's insane
Oh yeah
No no no no
Stop it
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