Savatage
Sirens

THE REVIEW

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.