Customer Reviews

Handful of Rain

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Always have felt that Savatage was truly an under appreciated metal band that never did get the recognition they deserved. Have seen them several times. Remember hanging out in a club's parking lot with guitarist Criss Oliva(R.I.P.)after a show trading off Three Stooges lines, calling one another a knucklehead, grape head, etc. This was like a month or so before he was killed in a car crash. Glad to see the group decided to carry on. 'Handful...' debuts the former Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick and he appears to fit in rather well, I thought. The band's recently-new vocalist Zach Stevens seems to do the same. What luck,huh? These guys STILL rock!Good tracks include the guitar ridden "Taunting Cobras", "Nothin' Going On", the instrumental "Visions" and "Stare Into The Sun". Wait a minute...what's with all the melodic keyboard playing? I mean, that CAN be a great thing, but in Savatage? Okay,so they're now changing. STILL a decent CD. Long live Savatage!!

In 1993, Savatage released their eighth studio album Edge of Thorns. Shortly after this release, Savatage guitarist Criss Oliva was killed in a car wreck. This shook the very foundation of Savatage for it was with his brother Jon Oliva that Criss had founded Savatage in the early '80s. Before that tragic day, Criss and Jon had talked about what they would do if one of them did die. The conclusion that both came to was that Savatage was their dream and if one of them was lost, it would be best if the dream continued as, if for no other reason, a tribute to the fallen one.

Jon Oliva, former vocalist and current keyboardist of the band, made the decision to continue Savatage to honor Criss. I'm glad Jon did this because to put an end to Savatage would have been to dishonor the hard work that he and Criss had put into building up this band.

In many ways Handful of Rain, though under the Savatage name, was a Jon Oliva solo album. Jon co-wrote every track (along with long-time producer Paul O'Neill), played all piano and keyboard parts and played most of the drums, bass and rhythm guitar as well. Jon Oliva enlisted Alex Skolnick, formerly of Testament, to play lead guitar and Zak Stevens, as he had on Savatage's previous release, sang lead vocals.

The music is powerful, riveting and epic. Skolnick's guitar work added a blues/thrash sound to Savatage -- something that really hadn't been done before Handful of Rain. Stevens's vocals are powerful -- he's Geoff Tate (Queensryche) plus James Hetfield (Metallica). The songs are finely crafted and run from bluesy epics like the title track "Handful of Rain" to thrashy speedsters like "Taunting Cobras" to the "Bohemian Rhapsody"-like "Chance".

After tragedy, Savatage triumphs with a solid album that continues with the band's unique brand of semi-progressive epic metal.

(...) [The] album was written following the death of Criss Oliva, who was replaced by Alex Skolnick, formerly of Testament. Skolnick provides the guitar solos and I think he does the rhythm guitar work as well, although some say it was done by Jon Oliva. For whatever reason, Jon is not credited as a band member, even though he co-wrote all of the songs and provides keyboard, bass, and drums (the bassist and drummer left shortly after the photo shoot).
Although I could not figure this out myself, many of the songs that seem to have wacko filler lyrics are actually short stories about heroes from many different time periods ("Chance" is supposedly about some Italian guy who saved rare paintings from Nazis). This was my first Savatage album, and it took my nearly 2 1/2 months to fully appreciate all of the songs. There is some really good stuff here, especially the title track and "Castles Burning." Also "Symmetry" and "Watching You Fall" are great progressive rockers. The opening cut is a disappointment, especially considering the amazing openers that Savatage has had over their past three albums. Yet a great solo makes this pretty typical thrash song not as bad. "Chance" has been compared to by many as Savatage's "Bohemian Rhapsody," with different parts and operatic vocals. Yet even with some really good parts, it is not as enjoyable, because while I like Zak's voice, he does not have the operatic quality that Mercury had. The album ends with "Alone You Breathe," which is a fine tribute to Criss Oliva, I just wish that they had added a long guitar solo for a tribute as well. (Did anyone else notice that 1/3 of this song was almost exactly as "Believe" from "Streets?")
Anyway, while not as monumental as many of their concept albums, "Handful of Rain" is still an important CD to own. Alex Skolnick is a very good addition, even though another even better guitarist in Al Pitrelli would replace him. Highly recommended for fans (...)

I'm a rather large Savatage fan, especially the albums Hall of the Mountain King and Dead Winter Dead... But Handful of Rain has to be my favorite After the VERY unfortunate death of Criss Oliva (brother to Jon Oliva), Alex Skolnick was brought in to do the guitar work... And I must say it is amazing. It sounds just like Savatage, but you can still tell Alex's Testament style riffing. Alex is one of my favorite guitarists of all time, so it was a treat to see that he played on this album.

The most notable tracks here are the title track "Handful of Rain" and number 4 "Stare Into The Sun". They're my two personal favorites anyway. Very heavy, ncie accoustic intro to the one, and you can kind of sense Alex's jazz stylings come into play a bit (before he forms the Alex Skolnick Trio)...

But "Taunting Cobras", "Chance", "Castles Burning", "Visions (Instrumental)", and "Watching You Fall" plus "Alone You Breathe" are fantastic.

"Nothing Going On" and "Symmetry" are not bad, but they're my two least favorite tracks from the album. Still, I listen to the whole thing every time, I never have the urge to skip tracks or anything.

Alex has some very good fills and less shredding moments than usual; but he keeps it alive and keeps the feel of this album very Savatage like. A very underrated album I feel; probably one of Savatage's finest moments!

Still looking for the Live In Japan '94 album for this tour though... That would reign supreme!

This record is a Savatage masterpiece. Written after the tragic death of legendary guitarist Criss Oliva this album is flowing with emotion. The three songs that are standout here are Chance, Symmetry, and Alone You Breathe. These are some of the best songs Savatage have ever done and they are so powerful and moving they almost make you cry about Criss Oliva. Once you hear this album you will be hooked. All of the songs rock and Alex Skolnick does not dissapoint on guitar. I feel he captures Criss' style very well. Bottom line if your a Savatage fan your collection cant be complete without Handful of Rain, it is the ultimate tribute to Criss Oliva.

This is the first Savatage CD I ever bought, and it certainly won't be the last. To tell the truth, I bought it because I really liked the cover art. When I played it, I was blown away. All the songs are well written and they all flow together. It's almost symphonic, and sometimes reminds me of older Queen works. Buy it, you won't regret it.

After guitarist Criss Oliva's fatal car crash, a guitarist from crunch-metal outfit Testament took over for this album. The result is a heavier sound which pleases the headbangers but buries the melodic appeal that characterized "Edge of Thorns."

This is most evident on "Taunting Cobras" and "Nothing's Going on," both of which get skipped every time I throw this CD in. But the harder sensibility permeates most of the tracks, and the interplay of piano and guitar that lights up other albums gets lost.

Still, it's a worthy CD for a Savatage fan, especially if you're more into heavier music. "Chance" is the song that got me into Savatage in the first place, "Alone you breathe" is a heartbreaking epic, and "Watching you fall," "Castles Burning," and "Symmetry" are powerful if same-sounding.

In short, Savatage at only decent bests any MTV-metal act at their best. But if you don't have Magellan or Dead Winter Dead, get those first.

Handful of Rain in many ways marked the beginning of a new chapter in Jon Oliva's career, considering it was the first ever album written, recorded and produced without his brother Criss Oliva who was tragically killed in a car accident in late 1993. Given that Criss was the primary songwriter and guitarist of the band, it was believed that Savatage would be no more, and every member took a break before deciding what they'd do with their lives. And even though the booklet credits the full band, every instrument was played by Jon Oliva, including rhythm guitars, some acoustic bits, bass, and drums. It was only at the final moment when they brought in vocalist Zak Stevens and former Testament guitar player Alex Skolnick to lay down some leads. So in a way, Handful of Rain could be considered Jon Oliva's first solo effort with some lyrical input and creative arrangement ideas from producer Paul O'Neill.

This is by far the darkest Savatage album ever, considering Jon started writing it about five or six months after Criss' death when he needed something to occupy himself with. There is an ever-present despondent mood permeating the album, kicking it off on a heavy note with "Taunting Cobras", complete with pulverizing riffs and screaming vocals. It is with the creepy intro of the title track (which is also the best video the band have done) that the tone of the album is fully set, mixing dramatic vocals with tinges of acoustic guitar and blues-inflected chords. The song maintains a steady mid-paced flow with occasional slamming rhythms and drums that highlight the chorus. Oliva expands this style with "Castles Burning" and "Symmetry", another depressing piece with its doomy atmosphere, stark acoustic guitars, and heavy parts. At one point during the chorus, Zak Stevens gives away the title of their future album Poets and Madmen, which, ironically, would become another harrowing (yet terribly overlooked) record, not too unlike Handful of Rain.

"Chance" is a turning point in the both the band's discography and history of rock, being the first ever song to use a five-part counterpoint in the end. Savatage would go on to writing many other songs after this one, layering various vocal harmonies to represent the characters' state of mind in their amazing concept albums. Lyrically, "Chance" was inspired by a Japanese diplomat in Lithuania during WW2 who defied the government's orders by signing exit visas for thousands of Jewish refugees and therefore saved them from the Holocaust. Even though he was permanently removed from his position, he never regretted doing what he did. The song examines the various thoughts crossing his mind, and the counterpoint vocal harmony perfectly captures his restlessness thanks to the nice call-and-response type of vocals. Musically too, "Chance" would help forge Savatage a broader form of expression on later albums, mixing lots of piano, sweeped guitar licks, and shattering symphonic orchestrations.

Most fans agree that Handful of Rain presented two major hits, "Chance" and "Alone You Breathe". The former for its innovative structuring and the latter for being the very reason this CD got released in the first place. Jon wrote and dedicated it in memory of his brother, and since he couldn't put out a single track, he then composed other pieces, still retaining the overall intensity and desperation. The lyrics of "Alone You Breathe" are heart-wrenching. At one point towards the end, they borrow the famous "I am the way, I am the light" chorus which was previously used on "When the Crowds Are Gone" and "Believe", and in a way complete the trilogy, except that they are sung by Zak Stevens this time. Zak is at his best on this album: his voice oozes sheer emotion and his singing is indelible. I can even say that Handful of Rain is his most amazing vocal performance ever! The song closes with a wailing lead solo by Alex, but rather than trying to emulate Criss' unique sound, he opts to capture a different vibe and achieves this feat easily. Likewise, his playing on the album is his most moving, and this is coming from someone who worships both The New Order and Practice What You Preach.

Unlike other albums, Handful of Rain is chock full of some of Savatage's most overlooked pieces. The slightly Sabbath-like "Stare into the Sun" and "Watching You Fall" are both masterpieces. The use of semi-distorted guitar doubling and bluesy licks on "Stare into the Sun" takes it to another level, and Skolnick's lead is impeccable. "Watching You Fall" kicks in after the one-minute instrumental "Visions", laced with classical piano and symphonic elements. Lyrically, it addresses the war in Bosnia and the guilt one feels for not doing anything about it except watching the news on TV ("On a TV mounted on the wall | From the distance I can see it all | And I've been out here | Watching you... watching you fall"). Yet, there's no escaping it either ("So close my eyes and pretend I am sleeping | Avoiding the chance that you'll visit my dreams"). This track must have spawned their follow-up album Dead Winter Dead, which is a concept album dedicated to the war. "Watching You Fall" is a powerful tune with a repeated chorus and piano fade-out -- Zak's vocals are so well done that I am inclined to think that not even Jon Oliva himself could have captured the intended mood. It is one of Sava's best songs that brings tears to the eyes.

The album is thought-provoking from a lyrical standpoint as well. Much of it was inspired by real events: for example, "Symmetry" addresses suicide among musicians (the scintillating guitar lead here is mindblowing); while "Castles Burning" is about the murder of an Italian crime attorney; and "Stare into the Sun" represents the confusion of an old black man in Los Angeles who was shot during a riot watching the people burning down his neighbourhood. The song being from the perspective of the victim adds to its intensity.

There is a reason why this album is so stark, being it functioned as a type of therapy for Jon Oliva who was on the verge of losing his sanity or succumbing to alcohol. It is harsh and unfair to criticise it for sounding the way it does. This album was meant to be this way from the beginning. One must take into account the factors that shaped these songs -- may Criss Oliva rest in peace. His brother still carries on.

How does a band overcome the tragic death of a founding member, major songwriter, and utterly brilliant guitarist? That was the question facing Savatage after the untimely death of Criss Oliva. Fortunately for all of us, Savatage would continue as a band, though founder and chief songwriter Jon Oliva would have less involvement in the band's 1994 album Handful of Rain.

Following up 1993's stunning Edge of Thorns was no easy feat, the band, this time with Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick on board, was up to the task. Like Edge of Thorns, Handful of Rain is a glorious power metal album with plenty of progressive and theatrical elements. Jon Oliva and Paul O'Neill continued their brilliant songwriting collaboration, coming up with 10 new songs that demonstrate the band's talent and versatility. Vocalist Zak Stevens seems far more comfortable in his new role, giving a flawless performance. Skolnick gives a standout performance as well, especially considering the shoes he had to fill. Handful of Rain also marks the first time the band used the intricate vocal layering (on the song Chance) that would become an important element of their later albums.

While the album was extremely strong from start to finish, there are some standout songs that rank among Savatage's best, including the title track, Chance, Visions, Watching You Fall, and Alone You Breathe. Truthfully there isn't a weak moment on the whole album.

Handful of Rain has not been remastered, but the 2002 SPV reissue does have a few extras that might make you consider replacing your older version. It features 2 additional tracks - the radio edit of Chance, and a nice acoustic version of Alone You Breathe, but the real bonus is that the liner notes have been expanded to include several pages of very detailed information about the band during this particular stage of their career. When added to the chapters from the other SPV Savatage reissues, you'll get the real story behind one of the best (and most underrated) metal bands of all time.

I really LOVE this release. A true metal CLASSIC!!!!! Every part of the album is TIGHT!!!! Each member is right on the money. Beautifully intense lyrics with a HARD edge supplied by Alex and the BOYS. I have to emphasize the powerful vocals of Zachary, and the backing vocals as well. Steve and Johnny, and Jon well what can you say, but excellent from the beginning!!!!! I beleive 'Chance' is PHENOMINAL, as is 'Handful of Rain', 'Nothing Going On', and of course 'Taunting Cobras'.You'll be HARD pressed to find ANY release so WORTHY of acceptance.
"You will listen to this CD over and over,for the talent displayed here is of the BEST America has to offer"