Metal Sludge Gossip Board

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2025 9:04 am**

We sat down with Savatage members Chris Caffery and Zach Stevens to discuss their legendary journey, the inspiration behind their 2025 revival, and upcoming tour plans.

Chris and Zak dive into the making of the reunion, their journey through Savatage’s iconic albums, and the impact of the band's tragic losses. They share behind-the-scenes stories from their Wacken 2015 performance, the dynamics of performing Savatage classics with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and what it means to honor the late Criss Oliva.
Get an exclusive look at the preparation for the 2025 tour, the challenges of crafting the ultimate setlist, and the excitement surrounding the band’s new music, including a sneak peek at "Curtain Call."

https://www.metalmayhemroc.com/blog/sav ... beginnings

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2025 9:06 am**

Will Pitrelli and Middleton be on the tour?

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2025 9:22 am**

Rocker4Real wrote: ↑Sun Apr 13, 2025 9:06 am Will Pitrelli and Middleton be on the tour?

Jep.

Excited for this one, although I'd MUCH prefer Oliva singing. Hoping there won't be too many post Edge of Thorns songs.

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2025 9:29 am**

jens wrote: ↑Sun Apr 13, 2025 9:22 am
Rocker4Real wrote: ↑Sun Apr 13, 2025 9:06 am Will Pitrelli and Middleton be on the tour?
Jep.

Excited for this one, although I'd MUCH prefer Oliva singing. Hoping there won't be too many post Edge of Thorns songs.

I bet Zach will do "Chance". They did it way back at Wacken.

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2025 9:32 am**

Rocker4Real wrote: ↑Sun Apr 13, 2025 9:29 am I bet Zach will do "Chance". They did it way back at Wacken.

That one they can do, it's more the DWD and Wake stuff I'm dreading.

And the Wacken gig was terrible, but I don't like TSO much so no surprise.

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2025 10:37 am**

Nothing epic about this comeback without the EPIC FATTY on vox!

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2025 11:55 am**

Rocker4Real wrote: ↑Sun Apr 13, 2025 9:06 am Will Pitrelli and Middleton be on the tour?

You have to watch the interview,, They make a startling announcement.

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2025 12:10 pm**

They are truly one of the greatest success stories of all time with what they did with Trans Siberian Orchestra.

I was just listening to some Savatage a couple weeks ago for the first time in awhile. Great stuff, particularly Edge of Thorns and Handful of Rain. That tour was one of my first shows ever. They played a small club near where I lived at the time. It must've been an all ages show because I was probably only 12 or 13. I met the entire band before the show just hanging out by their tour bus. It was damn cool.

Not sure if US dates are planned but that would be awesome to see them do the rock thing again!

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2025 2:42 pm**

savatage are on a very short list of bands i want to see and still never have
really hope this comes to the states

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2025 4:18 pm**

I LOVED early SAVATAGE. One of my faves. I saw them in '85 for Power of the Night. After Jon left, I completely lost interest and especially after Criss died. It could never be SAVATAGE without either of those 2 as far as I am concerned.

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am**

Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:30 am**

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil

They're no Tales From The Porn, that's for sure. And you know you would kill to sing like Stevens or LaBrie.

Anyhow, I hope they come to the States.

I much prefer Stevens' voice. It fits the material on those later albums so much better.

Anyone like the first Circle II Circle release? It's essentially a forgotten Savatage album.

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 11:55 am**

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil

That’s just dumb. Their early albums had GREAT riffs, great songs, great vocals and they stood apart from the majority of Priest/Maiden clones who were still recycling the early ‘80s cliches. They were a huge influence on me and my own band. As they went on they got more and more progressive in their musical APPROACH eventually writing basically musical theater. They were never into odd time signatures or any of the over the top wankery of the other bands you mentioned. There is no correlation with that style of music at all. They had great chops, but were never lumped in with the “guitar hero” shred fest bullshit of the day. One of the least “boring” metal bands ever. I’d put Criss’ riffs right up there with anyone. Super inventive, melodic and memorable.

I always preferred the early lineup, which I had was into from their 1st album, but they were always a remarkable band.

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 12:00 pm**

Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 11:55 am
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil
That’s just dumb. Their early albums had GREAT riffs, great songs, great vocals and they stood apart from the majority of Priest/Maiden clones who were still recycling the early ‘80s cliches. They were a huge influence on me and my own band. As they went on they got more and more progressive in their musical APPROACH eventually writing basically musical theater. They were never into odd time signatures or any of the over the top wankery of the other bands you mentioned. There is no correlation with that style of music at all. They had great chops, but were never lumped in with the “guitar hero” shred fest bullshit of the day. One of the least “boring” metal bands ever.

I always preferred the early lineup, which I had was into from their 1st album, but they were always a remarkable band.

Man knows his ‘Tage.

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 12:18 pm**

This band was on same Headbangers Ball as Asphalt Ballet- Trixter-Southgang- Trouble Tribe- Bang Tango
Front covers of Metal Edge also
If not for late career mega success- Savatage would be fighting for 1:30 PM slot on boat cruise with scab Hurricane

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 12:49 pm**

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil

well, i can combine 30+ favorite sludge bands inc yours, and they dont do the business of what Savatage became, so...

i agree wholeheartedly on dream theater though, worst band of all time

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 12:52 pm**

IREEKOFAWESUMNES wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 12:49 pm
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil
well, i can combine 30+ favorite sludge bands inc yours, and they dont do the business of what Savatage became, so...

i agree wholeheartedly on dream theater though, worst band of all time

Yeahhh, no. Scenes From A Memory alone is worth owning - it's one of the best concept albums ever made.

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:19 pm**

HoldenSSV wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:30 am
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil
They're no Tales From The Porn, that's for sure. And you know you would kill to sing like Stevens or LaBrie.

Anyhow, I hope they come to the States.

I much prefer Stevens' voice. It fits the material on those later albums so much better.

Anyone like the first Circle II Circle release? It's essentially a forgotten Savatage album.

I could give 2 F#@ks about either of those guys, their voices, or their bands.

Just my 2-cents...

$tEvil

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:36 pm**

Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 11:55 am
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil
That’s just dumb. Their early albums had GREAT riffs, great songs, great vocals and they stood apart from the majority of Priest/Maiden clones who were still recycling the early ‘80s cliches. They were a huge influence on me and my own band. As they went on they got more and more progressive in their musical APPROACH eventually writing basically musical theater. They were never into odd time signatures or any of the over the top wankery of the other bands you mentioned. There is no correlation with that style of music at all. They had great chops, but were never lumped in with the “guitar hero” shred fest bullshit of the day. One of the least “boring” metal bands ever. I’d put Criss’ riffs right up there with anyone. Super inventive, melodic and memorable.

I always preferred the early lineup, which I had was into from their 1st album, but they were always a remarkable band.

"""""""""""""That’s just dumb.""""""""""""""

We're all entitled to our opinion, fair?

And... it isn't it ironic that their Producer was actually the guy who signed Tuff.

$tEvil

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:26 pm**

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:36 pm
Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 11:55 am
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil
That’s just dumb. Their early albums had GREAT riffs, great songs, great vocals and they stood apart from the majority of Priest/Maiden clones who were still recycling the early ‘80s cliches. They were a huge influence on me and my own band. As they went on they got more and more progressive in their musical APPROACH eventually writing basically musical theater. They were never into odd time signatures or any of the over the top wankery of the other bands you mentioned. There is no correlation with that style of music at all. They had great chops, but were never lumped in with the “guitar hero” shred fest bullshit of the day. One of the least “boring” metal bands ever. I’d put Criss’ riffs right up there with anyone. Super inventive, melodic and memorable.

I always preferred the early lineup, which I had was into from their 1st album, but they were always a remarkable band.
"""""""""""""That’s just dumb.""""""""""""""

We're all entitled to our opinion, fair?

And... it isn't it ironic that their Producer was actually the guy who signed Tuff.

$tEvil

Yep. You just didn’t seem to be at all familiar with the band, so it was an odd assessment. And I’m sure whoever their producer was by that time had nothing to do with the way earlier stuff, so I won’t hold that against them.

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:43 pm**

Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:26 pm
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:36 pm
Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 11:55 am

That’s just dumb. Their early albums had GREAT riffs, great songs, great vocals and they stood apart from the majority of Priest/Maiden clones who were still recycling the early ‘80s cliches. They were a huge influence on me and my own band. As they went on they got more and more progressive in their musical APPROACH eventually writing basically musical theater. They were never into odd time signatures or any of the over the top wankery of the other bands you mentioned. There is no correlation with that style of music at all. They had great chops, but were never lumped in with the “guitar hero” shred fest bullshit of the day. One of the least “boring” metal bands ever. I’d put Criss’ riffs right up there with anyone. Super inventive, melodic and memorable.

I always preferred the early lineup, which I had was into from their 1st album, but they were always a remarkable band.
"""""""""""""That’s just dumb.""""""""""""""

We're all entitled to our opinion, fair?

And... it isn't it ironic that their Producer was actually the guy who signed Tuff.

$tEvil
Yep. You just didn’t seem to be at all familiar with the band, so it was an odd assessment. And I’m sure whoever their producer was by that time had nothing to do with the way earlier stuff, so I won’t hold that against them.

The Producer I am speaking of is Paul O'Neil, who Produced their biggest records, and created TSO.

$tEvil

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 5:05 pm**

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:43 pm
Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:26 pm
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:36 pm

"""""""""""""That’s just dumb.""""""""""""""

We're all entitled to our opinion, fair?

And... it isn't it ironic that their Producer was actually the guy who signed Tuff.

$tEvil
Yep. You just didn’t seem to be at all familiar with the band, so it was an odd assessment. And I’m sure whoever their producer was by that time had nothing to do with the way earlier stuff, so I won’t hold that against them.
The Producer I am speaking of is Paul O'Neil, who Produced their biggest records, and created TSO.

$tEvil

Like I said…not my ‘Tage, though I have enjoyed several TSO shows over the years.

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 5:09 pm**

I am looking forward to seeing them live again

Posted: **Mon Apr 14, 2025 11:59 pm**

This is as good as heavy metal EVER got:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVJlxw-LYlM

Posted: **Tue Apr 15, 2025 6:51 am**

MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:43 pm
Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:26 pm
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:36 pm

"""""""""""""That’s just dumb.""""""""""""""

We're all entitled to our opinion, fair?

And... it isn't it ironic that their Producer was actually the guy who signed Tuff.

$tEvil
Yep. You just didn’t seem to be at all familiar with the band, so it was an odd assessment. And I’m sure whoever their producer was by that time had nothing to do with the way earlier stuff, so I won’t hold that against them.
The Producer I am speaking of is Paul O'Neil, who Produced their biggest records, and created TSO.

$tEvil

So not everything Paul O'Neil did turned to gold I guess.

Posted: **Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:10 am**

Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 11:55 am
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil
That’s just dumb. Their early albums had GREAT riffs, great songs, great vocals and they stood apart from the majority of Priest/Maiden clones who were still recycling the early ‘80s cliches. They were a huge influence on me and my own band. As they went on they got more and more progressive in their musical APPROACH eventually writing basically musical theater. They were never into odd time signatures or any of the over the top wankery of the other bands you mentioned. There is no correlation with that style of music at all. They had great chops, but were never lumped in with the “guitar hero” shred fest bullshit of the day. One of the least “boring” metal bands ever. I’d put Criss’ riffs right up there with anyone. Super inventive, melodic and memorable.

I always preferred the early lineup, which I had was into from their 1st album, but they were always a remarkable band.

Dead Winter Dead and Wake of Magellan definitely took them into a new direction - more prog - where i can see them losing the earlier fanbase (I like it all). Totally agree though that all those early albums, up to Handful of Rain, were just pure riffage. By far, some of the best metal riffs ever written. Zach also has one of the best rock / metal voices.

Posted: **Tue Apr 15, 2025 12:09 pm**

Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 5:05 pm
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:43 pm
Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:26 pm

Yep. You just didn’t seem to be at all familiar with the band, so it was an odd assessment. And I’m sure whoever their producer was by that time had nothing to do with the way earlier stuff, so I won’t hold that against them.
The Producer I am speaking of is Paul O'Neil, who Produced their biggest records, and created TSO.

$tEvil
Like I said…not my ‘Tage, though I have enjoyed several TSO shows over the years.

Man doesnt know his 'Tage.

Posted: **Tue Apr 15, 2025 1:25 pm**

This band has less fans than Flickerstick but more than 8 Ball

Will be booked at House Of Blues..but will be House Of Empty
Prog rock is f*cking stupid

Posted: **Tue Apr 15, 2025 1:30 pm**

HueyRamone wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 12:09 pm
Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 5:05 pm
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:43 pm

The Producer I am speaking of is Paul O'Neil, who Produced their biggest records, and created TSO.

$tEvil
Like I said…not my ‘Tage, though I have enjoyed several TSO shows over the years.
Man doesnt know his 'Tage.

You clearly have my 'Tage confused with your 'Tage. I definitely know my 'Tage.

Posted: **Wed Apr 16, 2025 4:06 pm**

Wiseacre wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 11:55 am
MetalSludgeCEO wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 9:17 am Savatage... hmmmm, could there be a less interesting group? Oh yea, Rush and Dream Theater.

$tEvil
That’s just dumb. Their early albums had GREAT riffs, great songs, great vocals and they stood apart from the majority of Priest/Maiden clones who were still recycling the early ‘80s cliches. They were a huge influence on me and my own band. As they went on they got more and more progressive in their musical APPROACH eventually writing basically musical theater. They were never into odd time signatures or any of the over the top wankery of the other bands you mentioned. There is no correlation with that style of music at all. They had great chops, but were never lumped in with the “guitar hero” shred fest bullshit of the day. One of the least “boring” metal bands ever. I’d put Criss’ riffs right up there with anyone. Super inventive, melodic and memorable.

I always preferred the early lineup, which I had was into from their 1st album, but they were always a remarkable band.

Yeah, their stuff with Criss Oliva is just incredible. He had this sound and emotion to his playing that I can't quite describe.

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