Metal Reviews

You're welcome to comment on:


Click here to read the article.

Heard about this DVD idea some months ago, hope everything works out. That would definately be some money well spent. Im also hoping for a new studio album over a live one, I know it probably wont work out like that though. Im happy he at least said it wasnt really over, just on hold for whenever.

I've been a Savatage fan since about 1987. I really like their stuff but I see Jon's point completely. Savatage isn't going to put food on the table however, TSO will. Perhaps they'll be able to schedule some time and knock out a great CD within the next few years. Who knows?

We bought our TSO tickets though and we'll see them this month. A few years ago I was able to see Jon Oliva's Pain/Chris Caffery/Beyond Fear together. Those kinds of shows keep us Savatage fans more than satisfied.

I think it would be a good move if Savatage did a short set opening for TSO. The hardcore Sava fans would love it; but it may also give some TSO fans a chance to hear Savatage if they've never heard them before. Let's be honest here, TSOs breakthrough hit, "Christma Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)," is a Savatage song. Do you think many TSO fans know this? No way!

I've seen TSO three times now; most people there would likely never give Savatage a shot—which knowing is fucking hilarious when you see them rocking out to TSO (aka Savatage)!

Savatage could do some of their more symphonic material, similar to the TSO stuff. It couldn't hurt. A 45-minute set would be a good idea, I think.

That's not a bad idea at all. I think it's funny too. Same musicians and all they do is package the material differently and everyone loves it. They sell out arenas yet when I saw the above mentioned tour with Oliva/Caffery/Ripper Owens...no one was there. I was embarrassed for the bands. This place was sold out for Hammerfall/Edguy, in Virginia of all places, and there were like 50 people there to see Oliva and company.

I would love for them to lay Hall of the Mountain King or Gutter Ballet on the unsuspecting TSO crowd!

what about circle II circle?

Uh...what about them?

I prefer Square II Square

as savatage side projects. Zak Stevens sings and Jon Oliva co-writes some songs. I kind of like what I heard.

Unfortunately, it won't happen. Jon has no desire to participate in the grueling "million shows in two months" tour of TSO. He makes a few east coast appearances and spends the rest of his time at home writing. Time better spent, IMO.

I had no idea that Jon does not participate in all of the East Coast gigs. That is one intense schedule. Well, then let the man write and enjoy what he does best then.

True. Zakk Stevens? What about that Damian guy that replaced Stevens?

If I remember right, there are two different TSO live groups so they can tour on both coasts at the same time. So Jon only briefly appears on one of them?

Yep. Two touring companies.

There is still the issue of the East and West tours. You have two of the Sava guys on East tour (Caffery, Plate) and two on West (Pitrelli, Middleton). So you still wouldn't get a full "Savatage" show on either tour.

One solution might be to have Zak do one tour and Damond the other, with guest TSO musicians filling the gaps.

Of course, we're all just fantasizing here.

Or they could just do one coast or something? And yeah...fantasizing....

Ok now I have seen TSO live last year and I am going this year too and understand that its members of savatage, but can someone give me a quick rundown of how things got started or who is in TSO. Also I will be seeing them in the midwest in Illinois, which lineup will it be? Did al pitrelli ever play in savatage, I Know he played with megadeth.

TSO started from an unexpected hit B-side single from the Savatage album called Dead Winter Dead. It was the instrumental song Christmas Eve Sarejevo. Paul O'Neill (long time producer and collaborator with Sava) and Jon Oliva (principle songwriter of Sava) saw the mass appeal of this style of music and Jon had a backlog of songs he had written that were too mellow for Savatage. Hence, TSO was born as an outlet to release Jon's softer side and hopefully reach a wider audience.

All current members of Savatage are in TSO (except Jon who just writes the music), but they are divided up between two tours. Chris Caffery (guitars) and Jeff Plate (drums) are on the East Tour. Al Pitrelli (guitars) and Johnny Lee Middleton (bass) are on the West Tour.

Pitrelli played on two Savatage albums in the mid-90s, Dead Winter Dead and Wake of Magellan. He is still considered a band member despite his absence on the Poets and Madmen album in 2001 (their last studio release as of this date).

As for which tour you'll get in Illinois on the 29th, I can't say for sure. They don't specify which tour you'll get. But from looking at the schedule I'm thinking you're going to get the TSO West tour.