Jon Oliva’s Pain – “Tage Mahal”
Savatage fans, listen up. Savatage’s Jon Oliva’s new band is not that different from post-“Gutter Ballet” material. Jon’s band here is Zachary Steven’s band, Circle II Circle, minus Zak, of course. Jon’s unmistakable gritty vocals accompany a midpaced, chunky guitar sound. Basically, if you enjoy “Poets and Madmen”, “Streets: A Rock Opera” and less speedy albums, I think you will be pleased to hear Jon back in action again. The song “People Say — Gimme Some Hell” has lyrics with obvious Savatage album references/lines about dungeons, doors of the dark, strange wings, etc. This is definitely made to give you an Oliva/Savatage fix while you wait for the next Savatage album. Unfortunately, my idea of Savatage is “Hall of the Mountain King” or even “Gutter Ballet”. Therefore, this is too slow and boring for me. Frankly, I’d like more speed, more double bass, more wailing, faster guitar, more dynamic guitar, instead of all chunky, midpaced all the time. Basically, more energy, more attitude, more metal is what I’d like.