•
Rating: In 1983, Savatage burst onto the music scene of the era with their first album, sponsored by an anonymous private label, the album is called "Sirens". The American band immediately stood out for the sophisticated and novel sound (unheard of until then), Jon Oliva's seemingly "offbeat" singing style, blending perfectly with sparse but very powerful and aggressive guitar riffs fitting in context and, again, very innovative; these qualities made this album something unique and unrepeatable not only for the band but also in the genre. Unfortunately, they would replicate this style only one more time in the subsequent album "The Dungeons are Calling". Even if the third, "Power of the Night", undeniably contains the seeds of the first two works.
The lineup is the historic one, and obviously the best they've ever had, as it was the most creative and prolific, lasting until their eighth album in 1993, except for the bassist who left after the third album. The members: Jon Oliva Vocalist/Piano (for those who didn't know this instrument wasn't only used in the band's more recent albums), Criss Oliva, the band's driving and occult force on guitar, Keith Collins on bass, and Steve Wacholz on drums. As mentioned, this work by Savatage, as far as I'm concerned, is destined to remain one of the band's crown jewels, or at least regarding their purely Heavy side... even though I consider it, along with the next two and "Hall of the Mountain King," the best they've ever done. It's to be listened to in one go, there's not a single moment that might make the listener want to skip a track... it's well-blended, the most significant pieces are the opening track "Sirens", it begins with a mystical arpeggio accompanied by bell tolling, about halfway through the piece we're left with our spirits suspended and captured by these, skillfully accompanied by resonating guitar riffs and chords... unrepeatable, a Masterpiece. Noteworthy is also an excellent "Scream Murderer", a metal ride seasoned with masterful solos... great Criss. The fourth track "Rage" is simply something astounding... Jon Oliva gives his best in this piece... swirling rhythms that change quickly and when you least expect it, leaving you breathless.
The line-up the Florida band has in these first three albums is the one I prefer above all.... the most solid and creative, also from the technical and individual perspective of the individual members; after all, they are still far from the times when the covers will be conceived in the rococo style typical of the '90s, solely to attract the maximum number of buyers who are fooled by what they see... (something that unfortunately will happen after the death of Criss Oliva R.I.P.), evidently to compensate for the evident drop in sales, consequent to another very evident drop in artistic creativity, a shame that people often forget that when it comes to music, it should be more about hearing than seeing.. (covers in this case). Nevertheless, today's Savatage are only a shadow of this great period... fortunately, this is one of those works that cannot be categorized by time, that is, evergreen, and for this reason, it is one of the best.
A lesson in Heavy Metal that, for those who love the genre, it would be sacrilegious to miss. A work destined to stand the test of time.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Sirens (03:40)
On the sea
They heard the voices sing
Through the storm
The island's closing in
They'd heard tales
Of lives lost at sea
Deserted beach just beyong their reach
You're approaching the island of the
Sirens
Sirens
Hungry for man tonight
Sirens
Sirens
Claiming the sailors' lives
Nine men made it to a shore
A night of terror
Lies neatly in store
Who are those women?
Are they real?
Is this just a crazy dream?
You're approaching the island of the
Sirens
Sirens
Hungry for flesh tonight
Sirens
Sirens
Claiming the sailors' lives
Terror happens quickly
Remains till the sailor are gone
They vanished in the night
Sirens singing their song
Whoa--till they're gone...
ALL RIGHT!!
03 I Believe (05:28)
Beyond the skies, rising so high
Set a course for the unknown
But I believe there's life out there
Somehow we'll find it
Countdown begins
Our ship will soon launch
On its perilous flight to the stars
A civilised race, on some distant world
We'll find you wherever they are
I believe we'll find a new world
Can't you see we cannot return?
Systems are go as we leave behind
A planet that's doomed to end
Nuclear wars, the polluted seas
Doomsday begins its descent
Where do we go?
What'll we find?
Is there life?
Other than mine?
I believe
For two thousand years we sought and we searched
The galaxy's black holes in space
Then on the day of 3013 we came upon a race
I believe we can survive on this sphere
Plotting a course to enter the stratosphere
We're finally here, can we survive?
A cryosphere
I hope there's life
I believe
We land the ship on a green barren plain
Once outside, from a box the voice came:
Welcome to Earth
May we ask who you are?
Our race is called Man
The planet is done, done, done, done, done, done, done!
Planet is doomed
Hands on the moon
Forget the tune, yeah
Hands of the moon
Strike-out at two!
Forget the blue!
05 On the Run (03:31)
Ow! My legs are breakin', can't take no more
Six days in a haze, locked behind a door
Searchlight on my trail, I hear the sirens wail
Footsteps close behind, they're after me now
Moonlight lights the way to a clearing up ahead
____light through the trees, the hunter flees again
How long can I run? I feel it's just begun
Nowhere left to hide, they're gaining on me
Oh, on the run, oh, on the run, run, run
I can't run anymore, they move this way too fast
Finally caught up to me, a victim of my past
I feel them closing in, the bad guy just didn't win
I will not go back, I'm still on the run
Oh, on the run, oh, on the run, run, run, run, run, run
06 Twisted Little Sister (03:38)
Twisted little sister
rollerskate baby
driving me crazy tonight
i'm bound in your luscious chains
beat me and hurt me
i love to get into pain
you never knew
what this pain could do for you
go down-down-down
to the penetentiary
i tried suicide-
little sister ride
hoping for more bodies to burn
for such an action
call main attraction your love
i'm gagged-gagged and tied to a bed
sweet tasting sister
love what you do to my head
you never knew
what this pain could do for you
go down-down-down
to the penetentiary
i tried suicide-
little sister ride
broken-broken heart at the seams
hey i know you hate me
you know you ate me so mean
but now that my session is through
twisted sister i'm longing for you (come here)
you never knew baby i need you.
you never knew
what this pain could do for you
go down-down-down
to the penetentiary
i tried suicide-
little sister ride
08 Scream Murder (03:50)
He's chasing you down the alleys of death
Where many have died, and where you will breathe your final breath
Your pulse starts to quicken, blood runs to your head
You start to feel sick by the thought of becomin dead
Scream murder, he's coming for you
Blade in his hand, he knows what to do, yeah
Scream murder, what can you do?
No one to help, it's just him and you
He brings harm to your senses of fear
A feeling that will not disappear, as the bells of midnight toll
Where can you run to? Where can you hide?
This feeling has built up inside
He's gonna take it all away!!!!!!
How his alley resembles the morgue
Can you hear the pounding of the doors?
That is his house, he's gonna get you today
Scream murder! The last words you say
Scream murder, he's coming for you
Blade in his hand, he knows what to do, yeah.
Scream murder, what can you do?
No one to help, it's just him and you
H's gonna get you! Alright!!
No!!!!!!! No!!!!!! Get away!!!!!!!!!
No!!!!!!! No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No!!!!!!!!!
Loading comments slowly
