The Immortal Ghost
Some
sinister words of introduction mean that we will be witnesses of heavy metal
feast. The major role: a band called Savatage! There is no doubt, this is not
an usual metal concert with an usual metal band. NO! It is a tribute album to the
one member of this band. His name is Christopher Michael Oliva. He was killed
in a car accident by a drunken piece of shit. 17.10.1993 is one of the most
tragic day for heavy metal world. For sure I know that this is irreparable loss
and no one can change it…
The live
show consists of songs coming from four albums (no tracks from “Power of the
Night” and “Fight for the Rock”, everything recorded during 1987-90), eleven
pearls with two instrumental Criss shows. Although these tracks are taken from
the different performances, together they create an inseparable entirety. Only
the last one instrumental short guitar outro called “Post Script” is something
else, and to be honest, it rather doesn’t fit here. Here I would like to hear some
guitar sounds from the live shows, some solo created by the Master Criss. Musically
Savatage is… just a pure heavy metal band. They play here appassionato, with
faith and hope, with rage and metal madness, this kind of Music is supported by
above the ordinary and splendid talent. It comes straight from the minds and
hearts of two brothers: Criss and Jon. Savatage is their band and they exactly
show it during listening to “Ghost in the Ruins”. The musicians and producers
took care about very good sounding which is really heavy metal hammer crushing
your brain. It is a raw, as sharp as a razor, but it is definitely proper and
real sound for heavy metal band. This is a tribute album for Criss, so I would
like to write something about his play. His PLAY. To put it briefly this Man is
my favorite guitarist (beside Alex Skolnick) and it is very hard to find any
words describing his genius. Although each song is rather similar because of
very memorable structures and fantastic guitar work – excellent riffs, man, and
these solo leads, you can decoct one song and admire these components enriched
with beautiful mini solo guitar leads by Criss, I call it ornaments, for
example, take a listen to “24 Hours Ago”, “Sirens”, “Hall of the Mountain King”…
No, there is no point in recounting song by song. Simply Savatage recorded a
masterpiece of metal music, but Criss (and His brother) made the difference to the
other metal live albums. What a pity we won’t listen to the new Music Criss
could create…
“Ghost in the
Ruins” is one of my favorite metal album ever recorded till today. For sure the
best live show (maybe beside “Live at the Fillmore” by Testament). Each
listening to this is some kind of unique feelings galloping through my heart
and soul. I am proud to be a fan of such a great man and musician like Criss
Oliva and Savatage… Your Music will never die because immortality is tamed
here. I can simply feel it. The title of this masterly show says it all. After
the death there are only ruins and we can only listen to this Music and
remember He is still alive in these Sounds as a ghost… RIP. And I hope we’ll
meet some day…
100/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(previously written for Encyclopaedia Metallum, on November, 2010, now modified a bit)
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