Customer Reviews

Tage Mahal

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

For those of you who long for the old Savatage -- back when Jon Oliva was the primary vocalist and his late brother Criss shredded solos that brought you to tears -- your wait is over.

No, they didn't revive Criss from the grave. But Jon has assembled a five-star band here, and they serve as an awesome backdrop to Mr. Oliva's talented songwriting and vocal style. I never had anything against the change in direction that Savatage went with in the mid-90s. To me, the albums Dead Winter Dead and Wake of Magellan are just as much classics as Streets and Gutter Ballet. Many of my friends don't share this point of view.

I had one friend tell me, "those newer Savatage albums make me think too much." To which I responded, "What's wrong with thinking?" But I see the point of view from people who really just want to rock out and enjoy the music without all the bombast of orchestras and choirs and complicated storylines. If this describes you, then let me assure you that Jon Oliva's Pain harkens back to the days of old.

The songs on 'Tage Mahal are much more straight-forward metal and hard rock tunes, although there is still a touch of progressive bombast about it (which is a Jon Oliva trademark even from the early days). When listening to this album, I am reminded of many different phases of Savatage's old catalogue. The production and style of most of the songs reminds me of their latest release, Poets and Madmen. But this album will also carry you back to the days of Streets and Gutter Ballet (and in some cases, even as far back as Sirens and Power of the Night). Just to really touch on the nostalgia, Mr. Oliva even dusted off Savatage's original drummer, Steve "Dr. Killdrums" Wacholz, to record the songs No Escape and Nowhere to Run.

There are a ton of other little surprises on this album, if you are intimately familiar with the old Savatage. One song, People Say - Gimme Some Hell, is lyricly-composed of numerous song titles of old Savatage tunes. A hardcore Savaholic might also notice that the some of the verses and melodies of the song Nowhere to Run are taken directly from the rare Savatage song Target (which appears as a bonus track on the Silver Edition re-release of Sirens). There are other hidden surprises here as well, for the well-initiated Savaholics out there. But I won't give them all away here! You buy it, listen to it, and find them yourself. It's good fun, like an easter-egg hunt!

Since Savatage appears to have taken a back-burner to their mega-popular Trans-Siberian Orchestra project, long-time Savafans are treated here to Jon Oliva's Pain; every bit a Savatage record from beginning to end. Highly recommended for fans of Savatage, both new and old.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The "Mountain King" has returned to the Legions of Metal with a solid piece of music for all to enjoy. Yes, Jon Oliva the original voice power behind the influential power metal band Savatage is back with the debut CD from his new band "Jon Oliva's Pain". Entitled "Tage Mahal" the piece starts with Jon solo on the keyboard before the band kicks in. When they do it simply rocks. Given Jon's past history with Savatage, the CD holds a very similar feel to it. As a matter of fact I instantly was reminded of the Savatage epic "Streets-A Rock Opera" when I started playing it. This CD was one of my favorites in the back catalog, and is a worthwhile companion piece of music to it.

The group is made up from former members of Zack Stevens band "Circle II Circle". While I am not sure of the real reasons for this being the case, I am more than happy to report that they sound fantastic under Jon's direction. The lineup is built up of Jon of course on vocals with Matt LaPorte (guitar), John Zahner (keyboards), Kevin Rothney (bass) and Christopher Kinder (drums). I admit a little surprise in noticing that Jon was not credited on the album for playing keyboards. Everytime I witnessed Savatage in action, Jon played, and did it quite well.

My high rating was the result of repeated listens and a difficulty in picking out one or two very favorite tracks. My copy had no lyrics page as it was an advance and I would have enjoyed to see the content of the tunes. I am guessing it can be researched via the homepage which I have provided below. The fans of of Jon as a performer and writer will enjoy this CD. There is just so much of the Savatage vibe going on in this and this sound has been missing in Metal for a couple of years now. My research has also found out that some of the tracks were supposed to be Savatage songs but were used for this piece instead. If this is misinformation, the bottom line is no matter what is written there will always be a feel of Tage in it, because that has made up Jon for over 2 decades. It is not easily lost, and I prefer it that way.

I have seen statements from Oliva, stating that there are plans to release some additional music, as well as a live DVD. It is my hope that when the live shows happen that there will be some Savatage music in there. Whether Savatage is set to return sometime is anybodys best guess. This year also saw the release of Chris Caffery's debut CD "Faces". That review can be read elsewhere on this site. Given these projects that everyone is involved it, it makes you wonder. Since this was one of the major players that helped to define the term Power Metal, I hope something comes from the camp sooner rather than later. Until then, enjoy these killer CDs from the members.

Savatage fans have been waiting for a solo album from Jon Oliva since 1994 if not longer. Jon always said he wanted to do a solo album where he would play each instrument himself but never seemed to find the time for it. Eventually, with Savatage being on hold and producer Paul O'Neill focusing on TSO, Jon Oliva hooked up with former Circle II Circle members and re-recorded the already written songs to make this more of a band effort. Personally I really expected to hear Jon play every instrument, including the guitar solos, but since the music on this album is excellent in its own way I am quite pleased with it.

Accompanying Jon Oliva on the instrumentation are Matt LaPorte on guitars, Kevin Rothney on bass, Christopher Kinder on drums and John Zahner on keyboards. Zahner had also toured with Savatage back in 1992 on the Streets tour so he definitely shares and understands Jon's vision. The guys also do a lot of back vocals to bring more depth to the harmonies, which is a welcome change. Jon's inital plan was to name this project Jon Oliva's Tage Mahal but because of legal reasons they had to change to Pain. The reason they picked the name Tage Mahal is cause Criss Oliva (RIP), founding member and guitarist of Savatage, was planning to release a solo album and title it Tage Mahal before his untimely death. However since there already exists another band with this name I would have prefered it to be called merely Jon Oliva. I don't think the other members would mind since they must all be proud of playing for Jon. Anyway, it's the music that matters the most, so it's no big deal.

This album is the first chapter of the trilogy (which means we shouldn't expect another Savatage album any time soon) and it mainly catalogs Jon's major influences. Bands like the Beatles, Black Sabbath, Queen and Deep Purple all hold an important place in the evolution of Jon's music and with this release he openly pays homage to most of these great bands as well as revisits the old days of Savatage. The songs were all written by Jon Oliva himself with the exception of "The Nonsensible Ravings of the Lunatic Mind" and "Outside the Door" co-written by Chris Caffery. While the former is highly reminiscent of the band's songs on the last Sava album Poets and Madmen, the latter is a nice laid-back track with a bluesy guitar feel to it. Former Savatage drummer Steve Wacholz also graces two songs, namely "No Escape" (with a Criss Oliva-like tapping solo) and "Nowhere to Run". This was Wacholz first recording in the last 10 years and it's great to have him back!

Jon picked a perfect song to kick things off. "The Dark" is one of the most powerful songs on the record featuring a guitar solo that brings Criss Oliva's playing to mind and Jon Oliva going back to his late-80's days with face-ripping vocals. I bet everyone thinks that "People Say Gimme Some Hell" is the album's most Savatage-inspired track as it makes various references to older Sava tunes both lyrically and musically. This is a very unusual song though; it even has some saxophone and trumpet work on it with groovy bass work by Rothney. The vocal melody at 2:08 always gives me goosebumps; as the song carries on, Jon shifts his vocal stylings too and it's simply amazing. The longest song "Guardian of Forever" begins with a soft piano intro that we would hear on Sava's masterpiece Streets. The arrangement, however, is more in the league of Poets and Madmen. One thing that is extremely cool is the guitar work and solos in some particular compositions. I always knew Jon even composed most of the guitar solos on piano before the guitarists (Pitrelli, Skolnick) came in and improvised over those melodies. The solo in "Guardian..." is almost identical to Al Pitrelli's work on the DWD/TWOM albums. Similarly the guitar work on "Walk Alone" could sit well on HOR as it seems like it was taken out of Alex Skolnick's book. This is audible proof that Jon Oliva has always been the main songwriter of Savatage, and yes, that includes most guitar solos. Then, any Sava fan knows that some of the Criss-era solos were penned by Jon on piano too.

"Slipping Away" is one of the songs we would never hear on a Sava album because it kicks in with naked Beatles vocal harmonies sung by the rest of the guys and it's incredibly awesome. I have to give props to drummer Christopher Kinder here for his killer tone; I keep listening to this song on headphones and his work is phenomenal. I'm not just talking about the crazy run-out drum solo but his entire feel in this track. Great, great dynamics. "Nowhere to Run" conveys thoughtful lyrical messages and seems like it was built on some Streets outtakes. The melodies here are definitely Streets, not to mention the chorus in "Pain". I could swear this is an altered version of Sava's "Agony and Ecstasy". "Father, Son & Holy Ghost" features vocal melodies we'd normally hear on John Lennon's last couple of solo albums. Jon's interpretation of the harmonies however is mind blowing! "Fly Away" is the perfect album closer starting with acoustic guitars and slowly and carefully developing into a visceral Heavy Metal anthem that puts a smile on my face. Another favourite tune on this CD for me is "Walk Alone". I know this is one of the first songs Jon wrote for his album. It's a rather simple track but the song encompasses passionate vocals side by side with lush piano and rock-solid guitar riffs during the chorus. Fantastic indeed! Truth be told, there is nothing new on this album. Whichever song you listen to, you will compare it to one of Jon's (or Savatage's) previous works but it's more in your face -- without the Paul O'Neill touch that is.

Tage Mahal and Maniacal Renderings are two cd's that have not left my player in months, a must have!

I gave it a 4 and maybe more like 3.5. Contrary to many gushing reviews it is NOT 'old school' Savatage. It's more like the Savatage from 'Gutter Ballet' to 'Dead Winter Dead'. In other words a lot of keys, horns and choruses. Not that that is bad; newer 'Tage has its place. This release is more like 'Edge Of Thorns' whereas Jon's other band "Dr. Butcher" is more akin to 'Sirens'. That being said the MP3s on Jon's myspace site of his new material (9/06) sound more like Butcher and Sirens than this.
Back to this album....it's still good, solid metal/hard rock. Well done by a very competent songwriter and vocalist. This is not crappy numetal or mallmetal. Additionally, track 2, "People Say - Gimme Some Hell" is a total nod to Jon's past with the band. He makes reference to just about every previous Savatge tune in it. A must for any 'Tage fan. While not a 5 star release I think that just about every Savatge fan will like in addition to Power Metal fans. Do yourself a favor and get this. A guy like Jon Oliva needs to be supported.

JON IS BACK WITH A CLASSIC SAVATAGE SOUNDING EFFORT! EVEN IN THE LINER NOTES HE STATES "I WANTED TO GO TO A PLACE I HAVEN'T BEEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME". I SAY WELCOME BACK MR. OLIVA, WE'VE MISSED YOU! NOT TO KNOCK SAVATAGES RECENT RELEASES, BUT THEY'VE GOTTEN A BIT LOST IN THE ORCHESTRATION. THIS CD IS NOT VOID OF THE CLASSICAL ARANGMENTS, BUT THE METAL OUT-SHINES THEM. THIS CD IS IN THE VEIN OF "DOCTOR BUTCHER", BUT NOT AS ANGRY! WHY THE 4 STARS INSTEAD OF 5? THE LEAD GUITAR WORK ISN'T STELLAR! IT'S NOT BAD, BUT IT'S NOT AT THE LEVEL WE'VE BECOME USED TO WITH THE LIKES OF THE LATE MR. OLIVA, ALEX, CAFFERTY, OR PITRELLI. WITH THAT, LIKE THE LINER NOTES SAY "SIT BACK AND ENJOY A RIDE" ROCK ON JON! HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON AS WELL!

I have always loved Savatage and their talent was awesome, especially Jon, he is a god, an artist a vocalist, everything, but when his album came out,I expected it would be great, till i have heard it! When i heard it i was SHoCKED,, I couldnt believe my ears, is there such a music! A rhyhme, guitars, piano ,lyrics,, and everything, its great, from the 1st song till the very last song... Rock Fans,, this is a must have

I waited until recently to try out Jon Oliva's solo band thinking it wouldn't be very good. I think Savatage was getting more predictably with each successive release although I liked PAM better than WOM. I've never really been a huge fan of Zak's voice. It's great and all but I've always believed Jon was the true voice of Savatage and I can't help but imagine how much better Edge of Thorns and Handful of Rain would have been if Jon sang on them. That being said I think this album recaptures a lot of the magic that Savatage had before Jon originally left. People always give Criss Oliva too much credit for the style of Savatage. To me it was always Jon's songwriting that pushed the band while Criss provided great guitar riffs. You can really see that here. There are songs that would fit on earlier Savatage albums as well as the big concept albums. It's also nice to see Paul O'Neil out of the picture for a while. Overall, it's a great disc. If you like either incarnation of Savatage you'll love this album.

A truly creative album that ranks with the best of metal and rock, at least that's what I believe after only listening to it 6 times in a row. I can't get the tunes out of my head and I can't get the album out of my CD player. I'm not sure what kind of metal this is (I can't keep up with all the different genres), so I've christened it "operatic metal." In fact, the album reminds me of a rock opera, only much, much better. My favorites on the album include the first 6 cuts ... and, well, cuts 8, 9, 11 and 13. Oh ... , I guess the whole 13 cuts are my favorites. Anyway, if you like great music buy this CD. But it should have a warning label that says it's addictive.

Inredible effort on Jon's part. His voice gives me goosebumps and chills up and down my spine. Whether it is Sava or not, the voice rocks!