Savatage
Handful of Rain

Savatage have marked important pages in the history of heavy metal over the years, but unfortunately for them, they have never managed to be considered a foundational musical band. There are various reasons: undoubtedly, the premature demise of Criss Oliva, who wasn't exactly a rockstar...not Hendrix...but he could express something special thanks to his taste and great feeling, the true guitarist of Savatage (beware of imitations). With him, the band released masterpieces such as "Hall Of The Mountain King," the much underrated "Edge Of Thorns," the grand "Gutter Ballet" and the unparalleled "Streets." But it was fate that this band, already having alcoholism issues with its singer Jon Oliva (Criss's brother), would plunge into an oblivion of misfortune with Criss's death, marking a deep crisis within the band that would even bring them to the brink of disbanding. But this will not happen. Because Jon and his associates recruit the good Alex Skolnick on guitar, who would bear the heavy legacy of Criss, and a few months after Criss's death, they release "Handful Of Rain," undoubtedly the band's most introspective album, full of unanswered questions about Criss's death.

The album opens with the aggressive "Taunting Cobras," almost a thrash piece expressing an internal rage from the group. From now on, the album will change radically because with the title track, all the songs with black humor that will characterize the album will open up. "Handful Of Rain" is a very touching piece followed by the intricate "Chance," where Zachary Stevens, the singer who had replaced Jon Oliva already from "Edge Of Thorns," finds space for his excellent vocal talents. It continues with "Stare Into The Sun," perhaps the most introspective song of the entire album, which, with the delicate guitar interventions, proves to be a very engaging song. In the two following songs, "Castles Burning" and "Watching You Fall," it's Jon who takes the reins of the melodies with his magical keyboard skills, almost equal to his singing abilities, (remember that Jon didn't leave the group but stayed, taking on the role of the keyboardist) these two songs are undoubtedly two milestones of this album. "Nothings Going On" is a very good song that, along with "Simmetry," opens the dance for the concluding song "Alone You Breathe," a tear-jerking piece to the nth degree, a perfect piece where everyone does their impeccable work: sweet vocals, keyboards, and guitars to die for. In short, an emotive piece as rarely seen in Heavy Metal.

In conclusion, "Handful Of Rain" is in my opinion, the most beautiful album by Savatage, second only to "Streets." Certainly the most touching episode of their extremely unfortunate career.

CRISS (R.I.P.)