SAVATAGE — Sirens (review)

SAVATAGE — Sirens album cover Album · 1983 · US Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Sirens" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Florida based power/heavy metal act Savatage. The album was released through Par Records Inc. in April 1983. "Sirens" has seen several reissues through the years and from 1985 onwards also featured a different cover artwork to the original one with the blue ship on the front. Savatage was formed in 1979 under the Avatar monicker (they also occasionally went by the Metropolis monicker). After releasing a demo and an EP under the Avatar name they changed their name to Savatage in 1983 and recorded a demo before being signed for the release of "Sirens".

Stylistically the music on "Sirens" is traditional heavy metal with early signs of US power metal. The 9 tracks on the 35:57 minutes long album are all powerful heavy rockers (except closer "Out On The Streets" which is a power ballad type track) with pounding drums and bass, raw guitar riffing and blistering solos, and Jon Oliva´s rusty powerful voice in front. Savatage are a very well playing band. The rhythm section of drummer Steve Wacholz and bassist Keith Collins deliver a tight and hard rocking performance, while the Oliva brothers provide the icing for the cake. Jon Oliva has a powerful and distinct sounding voice and his delivery is commanding. It´s little brother Criss Oliva who is the true star here though. Sometimes you come across music where it´s clear that you´re dealing with a musician that´s more than normally gifted, and that´s certainly the case here. There´s something about his touch and the way his tones have bite that tell the story of someone who was born with a guitar in his hand.

The material on the album is generally well written, powerful, and catchy. It doesn´t take many listens before you´re able to remember every track on the album. Although there are no weak links on the album and everything is of a good quality I´d mention "Holocaust" as a highlight. The main riff is simply killer (I´m reminded of a harder edged early Van Halen) and with the touch of Criss Oliva it reaches an even higher level of perfection. Considering the time of release "Sirens" features a well sounding production, which is both raw and powerful sounding, but also detailed and clear enough for all instruments and vocals to stand out in the mix.

So upon conclusion "Sirens" is a very promising debut album by Savatage. The songwriting may still be slightly immature (especially compared to what would follow), but there is a raw charm to the proceedings that´s greatly enjoyable and overall it´s a high quality release. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I think you´ll love this one then...
Atreju wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Excellent review. I need to get a copy of this album. I like hard rock and traditional heavy metal.

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

I, the Destroyer Black Metal
SVARTFJELL
Buy this album from MMA partners
A Sonication Technical Death Metal
OBSCURA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 8 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 8 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 8 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 8 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 8 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed