Customer Reviews

Power of the Night

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Originally released in 1985, Power of the Night was Florida-based heavy metal band Savatage's third release, and follows the same path as Sirens and Dungeons Are Calling. Forget spandex and power ballads, this is metal for metal's sake. Songs like "Power of the Night" and "Warriors" are pure metal anthems, and are great representatives of the early American power metal sound. The Oliva brothers continue to improve their songwriting abilities, though there are a few less than stellar moments ("Skull Session" comes to mind). There's some really impressive guitar work from Criss Oliva (RIP) and Jon Oliva's vocals are just wild.

If you're a Savatage fan, Power of the Night is a must-have album. I'd also highly recommend it to fans of the early American heavy/power metal sound. Savatage had not yet moved into their epic rock opera stage, so enjoy Power of the Night for what it is - fast and furious power metal madness!

Edition Notes: SPV reissued Power of the Night in 2002. Sadly, it has not been remastered, but it does have a few extras that might make you consider replacing your older version. It features two bonus tracks - live versions of "Power of the Night" and "Sirens" - 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.

Savatage's second full length album and their first for a major label, `Power of the Night' didn't seem to suffer much from any attempted curtailing if the band's sound by Atlantic. The record does seemed a bit blunted though in its production compared to `Sirens' but maybe it may due to my not having a remastered copy. Straight up mid-eighties metal is what you get here. Less sword and sorcery, doom-laden lyrics here but there are some fantasy/horror elements on the LP such as the tune "Necrophilia" which seems to diversify the catalogue a bit. Blatant sexuality is also on display with "Skull Session" and "Hard for Love" which probably could have been a single if not for its over suggestiveness. The title cut, "Warriors" and "Unusual" are probably the top three tunes on `POTN' but as with `Sirens", the LP closes with an uncharacteristic ballad, "In the Dream" which is not as good as "Out on the Streets" but again a show of some expansion of ideas and sound. `Power of the Night' could probably be slotted along with the debut as equally good but a notch below `Hall of the Mountain King' which would be both Savatage's commercial and critical peak.

hello metallians, this cd belongs in every metal collection there is, this cd is one of the most true and die hard power metal albums you will ever hear, it is classic, like helloweens walls of jherico, and priests painkiller, and megadeths rust in piece. this is a true classic that will stand the test of time as one of the most inspirational albums ever of its kind. the guitars on this album thanks to the god himself(r.i.p. bud) are some of the best riffs and solos ever recorded, his fingers had to have gushed blood like a fountain after the recording session. some of the most timeless power metal songs ever can be found on this album. like shes unusual, or the title track, or the anthemic rocking ballad in the middle. this is one of the center pieces in my huge power metal collection and is sure to be playing in my cd player when i am old and in a home. your friend and brother in metal brandon whitson 25 of north carolina.
ps. if you like this you absolutely have to get gutter ballet and hall of the mountain king and edge of thorns. and dont forget sirens

This is one (...) of an album. To this day, its in my personal Top 10. The production is sharp and crystal clear, the guitar is heavy and in your face and the Oliva Brothers show their immense talent throughout. Its a shame this wasn't a bigger album, because its tremendous and a lot of people would really love it if they heard it. Their other releases are all good, but for me, "Power of the Night" stands out as their best. A great piece of hard rock/metal you won't be disappointed buying.

Just wanted to add...after reading another reviewer saying this was "The Quiet Riot album Quiet Riot didn't have the talent to make" I had to say something... Are you kidding me????Savatage sounds NOTHING WHATSOEVER like Quiet Riot!!!!! Two totally different styles and sounds. And "glam metal" with all the usual cliches? If I had to describe Savatage, glam metal would be the LAST word I would use...I can't understand how someone could hear this and think of Quiet Riot?? Savatage is 10 times better and more talented..just didnt want anyone to see that and NOT get this.

I remember when this work was first released. It was incredibly addicting with it's honest yet searing mix of harmonic sound. It wasn't enough to listen to this album, it was absolutely necessary to let it burn into your skull over and over and over. If your a metal head that loves the melodic progression of paired guitars; and unexpected yet solidly delicious changes...you're going to love this CD!! It's NOT Faster Pussycat or some other worthless pile of c**p like that so buy it already!!

Who can forget Savatage and the Olivas? They may not be the most popular metal band (...'cause some metal lovin' people haven't heard of them) but they sure will arouse your metal-side and bang your head with melodic riffs and enchanting rythms. Savatage just kicks me off when I'm feelin' freakin' frustrated or down, it's their music that keeps me on the road. I don't know why but all I know is that Heavy Metal music is incomplete without the Classic SAVATAGE. Thanks for ...RAISING THE FIST OF THE METAL CHILD.

And so it was released many years ago... Classic Savatage here folks, this is truly one of their best, and may be one of the greatest metal albums ever. If you are a bit older like myself and remember the glory days of metal (not that they haven't left mind you, metal is still here and going strong)I'm sure you remember the anthems and chords that pumped your fist into the air. Well, here they are, a few of them at least, but it is some of the Olivas greatest work. Driving tunes one and all, a crushing giant of a record. How can you even describe something like this? Even those this was Savatage's greatest era of their incredible career, it should not be forgotten or put aside to collect dust. Such an incredible car crashing, head banging title track. Wonderful other bits include Warriors, Unusual, Washed Out and some X-rated (of sorts, not by this day and age tho) fanfare in Necrophilia and Skull Session. Get in your cars and drive!!

For some reason this album was overlooked as a classic, but I'm here to tell you this album has to be rated as one of the best classic hard rock albums of all time! Great guitar work by Criss Oliva, not to mention the instantly recognizable power vocals of his brother, Jon Oliva! Superb arrangements; overall a stellar production by awesome musicians!

I bought this album to start rebuilding my metal collection on CD. This IMO is one of the best albums produced by Savatage and it ranks along side of Hall of the Mountain King, Sirens, Gutter Ballet and Dungeons are Calling (The best album IMO). I really hope Savatage remasters some of these old albums someday because they need a tune up. Edge of Thorns is Chris Olivia's last album and is one of my favorites with excellent sound on that album.

Look for the new remasters on the latest issue of Savatage titled "Still the Orchestra plays." ROCK ON!!!

KC_Metal

This album is between its just ok and i like it. It has some good songs and you can hear it easily from the start to the end. They follow their same ways like Sirens and Dungeons are calling, but this album is better then the previous. IF you are new to Savatage i recommend albums like Gutter Ballet and the following after this. A nice effort by Savatage (it also reminds me a little Judas Priest)