SAVATAGE — Sirens (review)

Album · 1983 · US Power Metal

3/5 · 2017-09-18
The Crow

Savatage's debut album will not appeal the prog or symphonic metal lovers, but is still a very enjoyable NWOBHM album.

In addition, some of the band's most recognizable virtues are yet present, like the crystal clear Criss Oliva's solos, Jon Oliva's piercing vocals and an overwhelming ability to create catchy riffs, a clear heritage of the brother's admiration for the early Black Sabbath. Maybe the in the text of the title track we can guess the love of this band for fantastic and bombastic themes, but it's really impossible to imagine that this band is the same that after a few years would make masterpieces like "Gutter Ballet " or "Streets".

Sirens starts with a strong riff and catchy vocals, while Holocaust shows the fiercest side of the band, both lyrically and musically. The good level of the compositions is maintained in the splendid I Believe and the powerful Rage, where the drums of Steve "Doc" Wacholz gain protagonism. On the Run, Twisted Little Sister, Living for the Night and Scream Murder are not so good, but nevertheless very listenable, while Out on the Streets flirts with AOR, with a moderate success.

Conclusion: Sirens is not an album for late Savatage fans, because it lacks the complexity and diversity of the grandiloquent rock operas of the 90's. Nevertheless, if you like the New Wave of British Heavy Metal of bands like Judas Priest of Saxon, you should give this record a chance. The Oliva brothers were able to show their ability on vocals and guitars, and of course, the title track is a little classic of the 80's today, while the rest of the album is also pretty good.

I miss you, guys! I still hope that Savatage will come back with full force someday... Call me a dreamer.

Best tracks: Sirens, Holocaust, I Believe.

My rating: ***

more than 2 years ago
Permalink
Report #355159

Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer

Please login to post a shout

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I think what he means is that this isn't a NWoBHM album, but I don't think it's a big deal. This Savatage album definitely has a NWoBHM-esque sound to it, despite not being part of that scene.

The Crow wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Savatage debut album will maybe not appeal prog symphonic metal lovers...

Is that what you mean?

MorniumGoatahl wrote:

more than 2 years ago

'Savatage's debut album will not appeal the prog or symphonic metal lovers, but is still a very enjoyable NWOBHM album.'

Please tell me you know what's wrong this this statement.

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Love this album, it's probably my favorite Savatage album (Though Hall of the Mountain King comes close)

voila_la_scorie wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Sirens / Dugeans are Calling are available for under $20. Good enough. I'm glad I caught this review. I like the simple album cover with the ship here. The elf version is less mysterious. Not sure what song it is now but at the 11:40 mark in the YouTube full album video there's an awesome solo.

voila_la_scorie wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I never bought a Savatage album though I know the name. I'm listening to this album now on YouTube and it's really good. It's going into the Amazon shopping cart in a moment. It'll have to be on standby but nevertheless, I like what I'm hearing.

martindavey87 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I also wish for a Savatage comeback, I don't think it'll ever happen by this point though. I'm gutted the Savatage/TSO Wacken 2015 was never released as a DVD/CD or whatever though. :-(