| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Edge of Thorns | Savatage | 5:55 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
He Carves His Stone | Savatage | 4:11 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Lights Out | Savatage | 3:10 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Skraggy's Tomb | Savatage | 4:22 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Labyrinths | Savatage | 1:30 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Follow Me | Savatage | 5:11 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Exit Music | Savatage | 3:09 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Degrees of Sanity | Savatage | 4:37 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Conversation Piece | Savatage | 4:11 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
All That I Bleed | Savatage | 4:40 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
11 |
Damien | Savatage | 3:54 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
12 |
Miles Away | Savatage | 5:06 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
13 |
Sleep | Savatage | 3:52 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 13 Songs |
Album Review
With the departure of Jon Oliva as lead vocalist (but not as keyboardist or writer) for Savatage, the band found a replacement in the former singer of Wicked Witch, Zachary Stevens. While Stevens did not have the emotional range that Oliva showed on Gutter Ballet and Streets, he had a less bombastic delivery that fit well with the new material that Paul O' Neill and the Oliva brothers and were writing. After moving towards progressive metal on the previous two albums, Edge of Thorns was a leaner, more understated guitar-driven record. The majority of the album consists of stripped-down metal anthems, recorded with less flashy guitar work and production than on previous records. The band continued to try out new sounds, however, using an electric sitar on "Degrees of Sanity" and recording their first acoustic ballad with "Sleep," which closes the album. Edge of Thorns also includes two short solo piano instrumentals adding a note of emotional depth most metal bands never explore. Among the highlights are the pounding "He Carves His Stone" and "Conversation Piece," with its lyrics about self-mutilation. The title track remains one of the band's finest moments, with a haunting piano phrase, a fierce guitar riff, and a strong lead vocal by Stevens. A true one-off in the Savatage canon, the tragic death of Criss Oliva following the release of Edge of Thorns ended up leading the band back to progressive metal.
Customer Reviews
The best of the bands material
So many fans of the past and new ones that are discovering them through the Trans Siberian Orchestra as well I have found love this release. Dead Winter Dead is such an obvious place tp start as 12/24 originally appeared there but Edge of Thorns marked the beginning of the sound that at least for me took the shape of T.S.O. From the opening piano you know your hearing something new and unique. It wasnt quite metal for me though a little harder edged but beyond melodic. The orchestrations of Streets and Gutter Ballet had vanished but in its place a produced and polished sound that grabbed all my friends that I would play it for. It was amusing because when I just saw T.S.O. on 01/02/09 in Cincinnati my wife teased me that they were going to play Edge of thorns - I laughed and said no way but they did play Prelude to madness from hall of the mountain king and believe from streets. Highlights of this cd is by far the opening track and still resides as one of the greatest Savatage songs ever , Conversation piece & Damien though I have liked Miles away a lot since first hearing it. If for a new fan or just a completist - this is one of the best Savatage cd's out there. (and for any of the newer Trans Siberian Orchestra fans looking for a place to start , Edge of thorns , dead winter dead or streets gets my vote... And I was front row for this tour twice ;)
One of the least known and best metal CDs
As the title suggests, edge of thorns is worthy of anyones metal collection. I loved this CD when I first heard the titular track on the radio when I was a kid. This was also one of the first discs I ever bought with my own money. I'd you are looking for some great music, here you go.
Who's the new guy?
Savatage minus the vocal style of Jon Oliva has always been a disappointment to me. This album begins that trend and as such it holds a special place in my own private hell. That having been said, I’ll admit the disc is not without its high points. The title track is a solid tune and Zachary Stevens does a mighty fine job fitting in with the band’s signature progressive, melodic style.
The next two or three tracks leave a lot more to be desired. Here is where the presence of a new vocalist brings to mind the difference between Sabbath with Ozzy and Sabbath with Tony Martin. In other words, you’re listening to a decent band, but it no longer resembles the band you’ve come to love.
The instrumental tracks give a little glimpse of hope, the penultimate three tracks deliver the goods, and the final song, “Sleep,” is a very good acoustic ballad that is not at all reminiscent of Savatage. Remember those high points I mentioned? In the end I can’t help but think of how much higher those highs would be if Oliva were at the helm instead. This is not Savatage.
Biography
Formed: 1983 in Florida
Genre: Rock
Years Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s
Top Albums and Songs By Savatage
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Hall of the Mountain King | Hall of the Mountain King | 5:33 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
ExplicitGutter Ballet | Gutter Ballet | 6:20 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Edge of Thorns | Edge of Thorns | 5:55 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Believe | Streets - a Rock Opera | 5:42 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Strange Wings | Hall of the Mountain King | 3:47 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Prelude to Madness | Hall of the Mountain King | 3:13 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
24 Hrs. Ago | Hall of the Mountain King | 4:55 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Beyond the Doors of the Dark | Hall of the Mountain King | 5:08 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
ExplicitPower of the Night | Power of the Night | 5:14 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Legions | Hall of the Mountain King | 4:50 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
