Sirens, Holocaust, Rage, Metal!
“The beginning of the 80’s… yes, magic times for metal
music. I was a kid at that time and I knew nothing about it. Fortunately
everything changed and I can listen to this kind of music now. Writing about
“Sirens”, there is a need to make mention of band’s history. Formerly known as
Avatar, Oliva brothers released Ep “City Beneath the Surface” with two songs.
Then their label came down with the money (3000 bucks) for studio session (only
two days!). The band recorded fifteen songs which were divided into two titles:
“Sirens” and “The Dungeons Are Calling” (released as Ep in 1984).
Unfortunately, Avatar was forced to change a name (due to Avatar in Europe with
some official stuff). So Savatage was formed and “Sirens” saw the light of day.
The album is opened by the title song which is in fact
a mine of information about the “Sirens” content and the Oliva style. This is
their first breath in metal world, but it is obvious that this band is unique
and not commonplace. Listen to the first song and let the sounds attack your
mind! What do you hear? First of all: Jon Oliva and his demonic vocals, with
ease he can modulate it from screams and shrieks to calm, subtle and sensitive
form of singings. I can imagine that in those days metal fans could be in shock
just like after listening to the GUITAR of his brother Criss. Even deaf person
can hear that this guitar play has something splendid. Although his play is
rather thrifty, it really impresses. The rhythm section is on good level, the
specific raw production (comparing to the present times) helps to admire all
the sounds and vocals.
Yes, title track is a classic for Savatage, it is
published on many live and best-of albums, of course no wonder, because it is
perfect heavy metal hymn opened by mysterious introduction, rather short and
dense with very interesting guitar lead and surprising end (about 2:28 the song
calm down, after 30 seconds the main riff appears with demonic shrieks of Jon).
The second song “Holocaust” has a marvelous riff, it is not a fast track (see
title!), but the basis here is this guitar masterwork. Total metal holocaust! Then
“I Believe”. The ballad guitar opening (with Jon vocals) turns into heavy,
sharp riffs and amazing guitar lead (and listen carefully to the rhythm section
work!). Something wild! The song is maintained in mid-tempo with four thrilling
Criss solos, at the end song starts to hasten. The best song on the album?
Probably yes. The next song “Rage” is like a prolongation of “I Believe”. Very
fast, very short, this is a real firecracker! Four songs passed away and I have
to write that the second part of “Sirens” is weaker a bit. It is not bad stuff,
but the differences in quality of songs are perceptible. Especially “On the
Run”, “Twisted Little Sister” and “Out on the Streets” (ballad with hard guitar
chorus). In turn “Living for the Night” and “Scream Murder” are better, with
very interesting riffs and multilayer guitar lead. These songs hold high level
of “Sirens”. My cd (reissue record, 1994) also contains of two bonus tracks: “Lady
in Disguise” and “The Message”. The first song is like a better version of “Out
on the Streets”, it has fine intro with preferable Jon singing, but “The
Message” is a very good composition, I can compare it to these best two songs
from the second part of the album.
Through releasing this album (and forthcoming Ep),
Savatage proved important things. Firstly, they were new force in metal world, secondly,
they were many-talented and brilliant. And in future they showed some kind of
patent to create heavy metal masterpieces, despite of two weaker albums (“Power
of the Night” and “Fight for the Rock”). But the main advantage coming from
this first effort of the band sounds as follows: this music is timeless and it never
gets neither outdated nor boring.
“Sirens” is the beginning of the metal way of Oliva
brothers… The way I followed…
95/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(previously written for Encyclopaedia Metallum, on January, 2011, now modified a bit)
No comments:
Post a Comment