The Awakening
„The Wake of Magellan” is the third album recorded
without Christopher Michael Oliva. And surely I can assure that this is the
best one amongst them. Quite different than “Handful of Rain” and something
like the better version (with some new things) of “Dead Winter Dead”. The
line-up is still the same from the last record, some changes get out of ideas
in lyrics and music. Yes, I wrote this is the best album in this trinity, but
the main question goes into my mind: did “Magellan” become a classic album? Is
this a masterpiece of metal music just like previous monuments “The Dungeons
Are Coming”, “Hall of the Mountain King” and “Edge of Thorns”?
The production of the album seems to be the rawest
comparing to the three earlier recordings for example. Of course, this sound
‘saving’ is not a fault, the band didn’t record an album with bad production,
but take a look at the crystal “Edge of Thorns” or even “Handful of Rain”. The
difference can be heard for sure. As I write above, music of Magellan is a natural
evolution of “Dead Winter Dead”, and to be honest, this is a masterly
evolution. This album is like a thrilling novel with six heroes (and one in
hiding). Writing about music content I have to mention about front cover, it is
strictly connected with lyrics, I often wonder about the way of realization of
this picture. Yes, for me both cover and music are just plastic and artistic
and these factors go hand in hand with something unexpected to hear, I mean
there are many contrasts included in tunes and Zak vocals which make the album
totally above the ordinary. Looking at the songs: they are rather mid-tempo or
semi-ballads with specific power, aggression and speedups. The album starts
with very calm one minute introduction, sea noise appears with piano, light
guitar riff and drums. “The Ocean” turns to “Welcome”, this title says it all,
with harder tunes, the musicians invite me to the performance I really want to
go…
After two short tracks, Savatage shows “Turns to Me”.
This is the most aggressive song on the album with some calm elements, guitar
perfect shows (especially the last solo)… And yes, I have to admit that the
guitar style of Caffery/Pitrelli is totally different than Criss masterworks. I
do not see here these musical ‘ornaments’ and some kind of spontaneity and
madness, but do not get me wrong, this guitar play perfectly fits to the actual
style of the band! “Morning Sun” is opened by subtle sounds which explode after
few seconds as song with very hard riffs and drum cannonade, everything is decorated
by superb guitar solo on the end. In turn two songs “Another Way” and “Paragons
of Innocence” are sung by Jon Oliva, still the vocals are really demonic and
sharp as a razor. “Paragons” seems to be heavier song with this special
atmosphere created by the vocals. I have to write about one track between
previous two Jon pearls, it is entitled “Blackjack Guillotine” with some great
moments about third minute: first-rate speedup and guitar lead. Then the
composition “Complaint in the System” with concrete and impetuous guitar work,
piano in the background, perfect Zak vocals and interesting riff on the end. This
passionate metal work turns into “Underture”, instrumental song with absolutely
top-notch show of musicians (the second instrumental song “The Storm” is played
in the same vein). The next song “Anymore” is nothing new for the band, semi
ballad with sensitive vocals and some speedups. The last one on the album
entitled “The Hourglass” is the longest track, some ideas are repeated here
(subtle opener, heavy guitar and speedups, complex structures, beautiful divided
vocals), about 6:40 the song starts (only vocals and piano) to reach the end…
The journey is over here, the ship landed, I can disembark…
Yes… but wait a minute, where is the title track of
the album??? Is it bad or something like that??? No. It is not. This is the
best THING on the album. Probably one of the best Savatage compositions, for
sure in first five. Writing about era without Criss, this is the song just like
“Alone You Breathe” from “Handful of Rain”. And again, slow and sensual
introduction with rhythm section, piano and thrifty guitar without proper
riffs. In chorus Savatage shows great riffs, just metal structures and circa
2:20 amazing guitar lead attacks my ears, it lasts about 50 seconds, Zak sings
again chorus words (“I believe what the prophets said…”) and “Magellan” gets
the most outstanding form of counterpoint vocals (3:40). After 85 miraculous
seconds, the song ends after one minute of calm outro (similar to the opening
tunes) with no vocals…
Magellan is the last studio record with Zak Stevens on
the vocals. For sure the best one, his voice is deeper, fuller, even theatrical
sometimes. During the songs Zak is supported by Savatage members (excepting the
drummer Jeff Plate). Jon Oliva, his vocals and keyboards are unreserved.
Savatage is still his child, but there is no only Oliva and five unknown
workers. The rhythm section is rather typical without bizarre ideas, it is
important element in this puzzle. About guitarists I wrote earlier, so to put
it briefly: there is no way to forget about Criss Oliva during albums recorded
after “Edge of Thorns”, but here Caffery and Pitrelli showed that “Magellan”
guitar work fits to the entirety, though they have completely different style.
The band composed the masterpiece of metal music again, the album with admirable
atmosphere, which is the key to my unknown imagination. Listening to “Magellan”
is to admire remarkable talents of all musicians (and one person behind the
band: Paul O’Neill, producer and composer). Musicians or… sailors on the board
of ship with Savatage logo. On the ship which is unsinkable and
imperishable.
No doubt that Savatage is the best heavy metal band
for me. I know their last albums have some progressive and orchestral elements
(records without Criss), but I can see here evolution in proper and under
control direction. Definitely “The Wake of Magellan” is confirmation of this
(even there is no classic logo on the front cover for the first time). Yes, I
remember the times I was listening to the album (on tape!), everything was very
special to me (A), so this is the next strong point for the ultimate result. And
last of all, this is not an usual album, this is not an usual listening. All in
all, this is METAL.
100/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(previously written for Encyclopaedia Metallum, on January, 2011, now modified a bit)
No comments:
Post a Comment