EDITORIAL
"This is the time...
...and this is
the place", we thought to ourselves, in reference to the
same-titled track of the latest Savatage album "Dead Winter
Dead".
In other words: the time had come to honour the biggest 'unknown'
band in rock-'n-roll history with an elaborated 'history' - even
though a complete survey of the Tampa Bay area - legend should
have taken at least 300 pages.
Books could be filled with anecdotes, background information,
pictures and rarities of this in any context uncomparable band,
that has naturally developed itself over more than 18 years and
through twelve albums, untouched by short-term trends &
sounds, from one of the most pioneering heavy metal formations
into a first class power-rock orchestra.
Progressivity in the true sense of the word, that ranks them
right next to megabands like Queen or Queensr˙che. Apart from
the fact that the Savatage family consists of people, that know
how to take music and life with humour and vitality, in spite of
many deceptions and the tragedy of Criss Oliva's early accidental
death.
Hoping that "Mountain King" Jon Oliva and his men will
one day accomplish their long time overdue breakthrough to a
larger audience, I wish you a lot of fun reading.
MATTHIAS BREUSCH, APRIL 1996
Translator's note:
"This isn't what we
meant..."
...I thought to myself when I saw the RockHard Legends Savatage
special and realized, that it could only be read by people who
understand the German language. It took me a while to figure out,
that I could try to do something to change that. So, I have tried
my best to translate this history of Savatage from German into
English, in order to make it available to the English speaking
fans of my favorite band.
I hope you will enjoy reading it.
Ellen Bakvis, Jan. '98 - Jan. '99