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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh we all know about one of America's most favorite
underground metal bands known as Savatage. I had the fortunate chance of
snatching this LP up in 83' while it still was under the Par record label. As
alot of metal bands go...this debut had alot of rawness and edge to it , like
alot of other bands when they first start out. I believe this label was their
very own label...and surprisingly because of that , you would expect a sub par
recording (no pun intended)...ohh contrare mon freir hehehehe. As you can see
the original cover was nothing spectacular....but as the name of the LP
implies...along with the first song 'Sirens'....this wonderful minor masterpiece
is as tribunal as the luscious mythological creature it is dedicated to. And as
the siren would sway men to their oceanic deaths by the alluring music....this
song does just the same. From the haunting axe work in the beginning to the
plodding atmospheric realm of what we know as Savatage itself...a wonderful
mixture of originality , garnished with a tincture of Sabbath and a sprinkle of
an Angel Witch like style. As the song descends into the second half...and the
bell begins to toll 6 times..you are already drawn into this magnificent
LP...even before Jon Oliva unleashes his frenzied but also controlled to a
point screams. This as you can already tell is one of my personal favorite metal
songs , and after hearing this opener...I was just dying for more....
'Holocaust' begins with a bombastic doomy style that only the Oliva Brothers
can deliver. This gut wrencher is palatable for any ravenous rivethead...along
with the next song 'I Believe'. This track starts with a sweet but dark little
into....ascending right back into the abyss once again. The last song on this
side of priceless vinyl is called 'Rage' , an OTT , get in , rip your heart out
, and get the hell out tune that leaves you crying out for more..along with the
jaw dropping...anticipating to turn the LP over for more.
The fifth song on this debut,On The Run' starts off with some hooky guitar
slinging and suddenly goes into a nicely blackened plodder...a fine little ditty
to bang your head to while taking sips of your favorite dark ale hehehehe. As
we all know Savatage had a tendency to do some lyrics dealing with
sado-masochism....'Twisted Little Sister' was the one that started it all
off...driven by Steve Bushcolz double bass thumping....steadily paced...but
efficient. 'Living For The Night' brings out another steady paced up tempo style
that just keep the heart thumping a little more then usual....until 'Scream
Murder' begins. With it's headless horseman gallop throughout the track , one
can only feel pure satisfaction from unleashing this demon from it's flat
cardboard packaging. Now , the only flaw I feel on this LP is the closer , 'Out
On The Streets'. This is the only ballad on here. It's decent but still not a
very good one...but hey 8 out of 9 songs is pretty damn good in my book ,
especially from a debut.
Now the question remains...is this LP dated? Yes,to a point of course...but to
a fan of Savatage who only actually believes their first Lp was Hall Of The
Mountain King (and believe me , there are alot more out there that believe that
the you think) , then it is best to take a listen to where it all
began.....Sirens