Tage Mahal [IMPORT]

Jon Oliva's Pain, Jon Oliva

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 2005)
• Original Release Date: February 1, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Steamhammer Europe
• ASIN: B00042YL2C
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,709 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A list of the most significant US American metal musicians is bound to include Jon Oliva. Together with his band, Savatage, he has composed and produced countless anthems for eternity. His charismatic voice, concise piano, aura, friendly personality and imposing appearance – his fans love and admire Oliva for a whole number of unusual characteristics. He is now ready to present Tage Mahal, the debut release by his new band, Pain, which will – in case we had you worried for a minute – exist alongside Savatage: "I wanted a band with musicians who live in the immediate vicinity," Oliva explains. "With Savatage, it sometimes requires an amazing organizational effort to realize a new project. Things are much easier with my new band, Pain. It consists of musicians that I’ve known for ages and that I can get together with at any time to play live, try out new ideas or record songs." Pain consists of guitarist Matt Laporte, keyboardist John Zahner (whom Oliva knows from! the preproduction of the Savatage recording, Sirens) drummer Chris Kinder and bassist Kevin Rothney. All four musicians also played on Watching In Silence, the debut by ex-Sav vocalist Zachary Stevens’ band, Circle II Circle. Oliva also invited his long-standing Savatage ally, Steve ‘Dr. Killdrums’ Wacholz to play the drums on two tracks in the studio (‘No Escape’ and ‘Nowhere To Run’) and added a glowing wind section to the rocking sound in strategic places. "There are fixed rules that we have to stick to when it comes to Savatage’s sound. Pain gives me complete artistic freedom, I can do anything I feel like doing and, as in the case of the wind section, experiment with unusual orchestrations."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute MUST for old-school Savatage fans, December 6, 2004

By	Ryan Seek "trans-siberian_outcast" (Maricopa, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mountain King Has Returned To His Legions, February 8, 2005

By	Ken Pierce "Editor, PiercingMetal.com" (Brooklyn,, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jon,,, You Made my day, you Made my life, March 23, 2005

By	Baha Amro (Jordan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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