It's so cool to see so many people still digging what Savatage and Criss did! Blown away with the response to this video, thanks for putting up with all my clams and my greasy hair :D
Cheers from Tampa Bay, FL (their home) I'm in a cover band which play nearly every song you listed! We even do "Ghost in the Ruins"! Haha! - Come to FL and jam with us!
Hey leon.. This is jon oliva for real I just wanted to thank you for recognizing my brother's incredible Talent so underrated that it makes me sad but thanks to people like you he lives on thank you again God bless you
john, you and your brother are fucking geniuses, I listen to rock and metal of any style and savatage will always be in my top 10 bands in the history of music. please talk to the guys because you have to come back, the music needs you 🤟🏻🤟🏻
Criss was a great player and really cool too. I've seen Savatage play many times in the early days around the Tampa Bay area. He had the best tone of anyone.
I believe..Midas Knight..The dungeons are calling..I could go on and on and keep listing my favorites but really I like all their songs..I started with the 1st album when it came out..
I agree about Sirens as well. It is my number one from Savatage. If only Cris would have had a solo on that song, I would put it in my top 5 of all time. There is a live version on RUclips (I think from Detroit) that is just savage. And Jon sings so well on it. I think Cris plays it a little differently in that live video, doing fast trills instead of a slide in the main intro riff. Here it is: ruclips.net/video/qIF4mBR9Ih0/видео.html
The dungeons are calling was so fuckin awesome! I was a teenager when that came out. I remember how me and friends was just blown away by it. And then power of night followed and we was like holy shit. This is amazing metal. Dam those were the days.\m/
Leon!! U did an awesome job!! Criss was amazing...I played w him back when he was 14 yrs. old...he was WAY ahead of his time even back then!!! Miss him lots!! Thanks for remembering and honoring Criss!! Doc
When this album came out I couldn't find it anywhere- sold out- which I thought was very strange for a Savatage release. I went home and...my dad had bought it, and was very disappointed, he thought it was a Christmas album. My friend worked at a record store at the time and people were returning it in droves- they also thought it was a Christmas album. Sarajevo on one hand was a weird choice for a single, on the other hand I believe the success of that single was where Jon got the idea for Trans-Siberian.
Dude... Holy shit... Absolutely one of the best. Definitely one of my favorites for back then very unique and influential. Him, Lynch, demartini and Jake E Lee... Damn thanks bro great stuff
Great list my 1A team is the godfather =Evh, Nuno, Criss. Guys on your list are my 2A squad along with Bratta,, Skolnick, Friedman dozen or so others haha.
Totally agree about Chris Cafferty. Good guy too. I met Chris after a Metal Church show. He was filling in on guitar for Metal Church. A few weeks prior M.C. guitarist broke his hand, and Chris was asked to fill in. He shared with me that he had a 2 weeks to learn the set list for M C., and he was flawless that night.
Certainly one of the most underappreciated guitarists ever. He had the ability of a virtuoso but was able to harness that ability and play interesting riffs and solos. And the way he filled the sound space with his guitar, adding a bit here and there was amazing. For the latter, just listen to "Tonight he grins again" from "Streets".
the Olivas were definitely forward thinkers. I have heard stuff from the two brothers that sounded similar to bands like Gordian Knot waaay before that music was a thing
Was lucky enough to get to see him live on there Streets tour. He was such a great player. And your so right he belongs right up there with Randy, and Eddie.
Guitars players who know his stuff definitely put him up there. But sadly the band as a whole just never got big enough to be a household name. Kind of in that Allen Holdsworth/Ty Tabor realm where we guitarists know but rest of planet is asleep.
I agree 100 percent....Criss Oliva never got the recognition of a lot of his contemporaries,which is a shame.....He had his own unique style....I bought Power of the Night when I saw it in a record store,just because I thought the cover was cool......I was hooked after that....One if the greatest bands of all time..
There are only a handful of guitarists whose riffs are instantly recognizable as “their” sound. Criss Olivia’s definitely have that unique, individual characteristic. Great video, highlighting some of them!🤘
Criss was a master, undoubtedly one of the most underrated guitar heroes of the 80s. Criss had his own voice, which is recognizable in both solos and riff, and this really speaks volumes. He wasn't afraid to experiment with different tunings (Sirens, very first song of the very first album is in DropD), different sounds, different song structures (Hounds?). Such a shame he was taken away too soon.
@@grimmsleeper9475 thanks,in fact i liked almost all the albums,but my last statement is clear....in fact I LOVE SAVATAGE......their music is SO GOOD.....BY FAR¡¡¡
Neo Medina yes, particularly gutter ballet for me it probs will take time to get into that album for me it’s so much more different than the rest of Jon olivas music with savatage
Gutter Ballet is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. For me, it’s the perfect mix of their early metal style and the later Broadway metal as you call it.
It's amazing how even though I haven't listened to their albums in a year or so, I can still remember their songs. I listened to them a shit ton when I was in high school. Such a great band!
I was ecstatic when you put up the Blackmore video. This has me over the moon! Gutter Ballet is one of my favorite songs to play, period. Of course, some of the parts I play would fall into the “how not to play” category, but I just have so much fun with it. So glad to see this video and Criss Oliva still getting his due so many years after his passing. He is easily in the pantheon of my guitar heroes. Thanks again, Leon!
Love everything about this video. Savatage is one of my favorite bands and I still can't get over how underrated they are. Criss was a powerhouse and is sorely missed.
Criss was such an amazing talent and he will forever be missed. 😞 R.I.P. Criss My favorite Savatage album is hands down Streets: A Rock Opera. Never before, or after, has a piece of music sent shivers down my spine or given me goosebumps. Even today after all these years, it still happens. Jon and Criss were a once in a lifetime musical duo that can never be replicated. 😞
Criss had a small battery operated amp. And would play in the parking lot at tarpon springs high Skool . He was a awesome person n had time for all his fans. Steve was killer on the drums n Jon was a master of entertainment. I was lucky and blessed to grow up with them . Their music will never leave my heart. Their music is timeless n will be enjoyed forever.
Thanxxx for giving me back this brilliant songs! 20 years ago I loved this band so much and don't ask me why I've lost them... 'till NOW! GREAT PLAYING, LEON 🤘🤘🤘
Finally some savatage acknowledgement thanks brother that was great a lot of my guitar playing was inspired by criss Olivia. My favorite solo was on summers rain and I think over all my favorite riff would be in the hall of the mountain king.
Great video. Brings memories. Since I was 8-9 years old in Greece, I was gradually drawn into hard rock and then metal starting by listening to some Europe songs and mainly with Scorpions in the late 80s and plenty hair metal. First time I listened to Savatage by watching the video for When the crowds are gone on tv. That was a discovery. And they delivered high standards every time thereafter, even after the tragic loss of Chris Oliva and even after mid 90s when classic metal was out of fashion, they continued keeping the flame alive, even if they never got to the commercial spotlight they deserved (Trans-Siberian Orchestra probably got that). My first ever metal live performance I was lucky to attend was Jan. 1996 Savatage playing live in Athens for the Dead Winter Dead album. A memorable show. Zak Stevens, John Oliva, Al Pitrelli, Chris Caffery, Johnny Lee Middleton, Jeff Plate.
Great video! And yes, criminally underrated! Sadly, my introduction to Savatage came after Criss' passing. I heard "Handful of Rain" on the radio one night and was hooked. I then went about getting my hands on everything in their catalog. I think my favorite guitar part is from "When the Crowds are Gone." So soulful!
Cris Oliva for me is the most underrated guitarist. We lost an amazing talent and this was our loss, the industry, the must we as humans. What to say invasion, riffs, epic bridges, animosity and sweetness he had it all and more. His tone in edge of thorns album was is unparallel. I wish I could replicate the he carved his stone tone. For me as an artist is a name that I always promote. Shame to all the media that they still ignore him. They were doing it when he was alive and they still doing it now.
If Cris had lived on, I believe he would finally get a break in nu metal. People gotta realize, his style of playing was 10 to 15 years ahead for his time. Even Dimebag, was influenced by him. Rest in peace to both ❤️🙏
Oh my gosh, so ironic you did this video, I kinda rediscovered Savatage this year again after nearly 30 years. I remember discovering them as a teenager in the mid 80’s (ya, I’m old) when I played drums and then got out of metal for a long time. Decided to start teaching myself guitar a few years ago and of course got back into my old favorite metal bands and stumbled upon Savatage again and had to start learning some of my favorite songs from them. My two favorite to play on guitar are Power of the Night and The Price You Pay. I have come to realize in the last year how amazing of a guitar player Criss Oliva was. Such an incredible combination of melodic and ripping shredder that he has become my favorite player by far, over EVH, DiMartini, Schenker, and others. Maybe only surpassed my Randy Roads. Thank you for doing this and bringing Criss to the forefront again and giving him the credit and praise he deserves. RIP Criss Oliva
Thank you for this. Keep up the great work. Nice to see more and more people recognizing Criss and his killer monster tone. Raise the Fist of the Metal Child!
Criss was one of the best! Hopefully we see more of his riffs cause I'm into playing his guitar style! These videos truly help and highly appreciated! Thanx
You’re right, “Edge of Thorns “is a tough one. That feel and that shuffle is really hard to nail down while playing accurately. You did a great job on the solo!
Excellent video once again Leon!!! Criss Oliva and Savatage were literally light years ahead of the pack when the 80's metal movement broke. Truly one of the absolute best bands to come out of New York. Thank you so much for shedding the spotlight on them that they deserve.....Rock on Leon!!!😎👍🤘🎸
Wow great video! I thank you for bringing Criss back into everyone’s mind again. I lived down the road from “The Pit” where (then they were called “Avatar”) practiced. It was so awesome to hear them. I have loved their music since. Thanks again!
God, I remember playing Strange Wings over a backing track at my high school's talent show. Woefully underrated band, and in my opinion, one of the originators of progressive metal.
Nice job, man!! I've always been a fan of Savatage! Was lucky enough to see them, up close, in a small club in York, PA, called Swizzles. My introduction to them was "The Dungeons are Calling". I was hook from the opening fill. Rock on, brother!
@@g99se9 Kirt is at home counting his money thinking, how in the he'll did I make all this money as an average guitar player...oh yeah...the rest of my band carried me on thier shoulders...lol
I'm so happy with you're term " criminally underrated " guitar player. I live in Florida and have my entire life and have seen Avater which later became Savatage so many times whether it was in Tampa or Orlando. In the 80's I was in an a circuit club band in Florida. There was also a band in the circuit from Tampa named Lefty. Johnny Middleton was the bass player in that band. Through him, I got to get to know all the guys in Savatage.
Savatage is one of my favorite bands. Streets introduced me to them and was literally sitting in front of the stereo (that's right..stereo) and just starred at it.
I can remember when I heard 24hrs ago for the first time, it blew my mind. I have been a Savatage fan ever since. I don't know how you choose one riff over another...there are so many good ones!
I REALLY liked your version of the solo for " Gutter Ballet" seemed to have more improvisation in the first few seconds of it with the bends and stuff. I like it more than the Studio Version!
Great video - Legions is a superb song - great riff and amazing solo. But as you say there are hundreds of tracks you could have picked. I discovered Savatage way back in around 1985 or so as a 15 year old and have to say even back in the 'heyday' of rock/metal they were hugely underrated. Criss Oliva is a truly outstanding and unique player - like Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch, Vito Bratta etc - you can tell Criss' style a mile away with his unique signature sound and way of playing. Great video and really enjoyed it and your comments. RIP Criss Oliva
Savatage was one of my favorite groups when I was younger. The dungeons are calling and power of the night are two of the greatest of all time to me. Just Awesome true metal music. Plus the hall of the mountain king was really great to. They was a great group and so underrated. They really had it all. Also Jon's solo albums are really very good to. verygood video \m/🙂
When you were talking about Streets, and said how if you're a fan of Minecrime, Tommy, and Quadrophenia, you will like it, you instantly sold me. Three of my favorite albums for sure!
Long live Savatage!!! Good to see them still being talked about (besides TSO). I had the pleasure of hanging out with Savatage in 1990 in Dallas as I won a Z-Rock radio contest to meet them, all the guys were awesome, esp Criss, he got me and my friend into the concert 3 days later in Denver (I had just seen them in Denver a month before winning the contest) and hung out an talked to us before the show. So sad some idiot took him away from us.
Hell yeah, finally Criss Oliva is getting the recognition he deserves, he was an incredibly talented guitarist, so sad that his life was tragically cut short, but he lives on through his music & die hard fans.
I thinks Criss Oliva it was a sample of evolutions, since SIRENS, POWER OF THE NIGHT, till the máster Piece GUTTER BALLET, CRIS, always growing up! ....
Criss Oliva , my all time music champion. Grew up listening to his music John and criss are legends for me. Favourite song for them is Believe , also the price you pay, summer's rain, red light paradise, when the crowds are gone, tonight he grins again,, ohh way so many songs!
Awesome stuff, bud! I was a Sava-fan way back in the day and you did an excellent job of compiling a "best of" to introduce Savatage to the masses. As soon as I saw your vid title, I was hoping that "Jesus Saves" made your list and you didn't disappoint! So much killer groove and twist and turns in that riff. LOVE IT! Your playing was spot on, no need to slag on yourself. Criss would be proud!
Your early experiences with Savatage were much like mine own, with Edge of Thorns being the first I ever heard. It came on the radio one day and I just said, "who the hell are these guys???" I immediately started looking for more of their music and I've been a huge fan ever since. Such an underrated band, and Criss Oliva definitely doesn't get the recognition he deserves in my opinion. Such fantastic guitar work. Thanks for posting these!
@@LeonTodd Indeed they are. I've often wondered what those albums that followed his death would be like if he had lived. I wonder if Savatage would still be recording new music, or if he'd be contributing to TSO. I imagine he would be.
Yes!!!!! The best! Criss is my all time favorite guitarist!!! Extremely underrated, & deserved to be in every guitar magazine. I was playing Savatage today!! He Carves his Stone, fun song to play.
@@LeonTodd There were two riffs I was going to mention. He Carves His Stone was one and Thorazine Shuffle was the other. The latter is so monstrous that it basically became the chorus and there's barely any vocal melody over it. For me as a non-guitar player I liked the little stylistic things Criss did - the trills, slides and bends that gave the riffs character and made them groove as well as the heaviness and darker modes. I came to Savatage in the early nineties as a keyboard player, starting with EoT and working back through the eighties catalogue. You could make an equally cool 'Top 5 Savatage keyboard riffs' video. Chance, Watching you fall, Damian, and maybe my favourite of the Stevens era, The Hourglass off Wake of Magellan. Cool video and great channel. I just subscribed. Keep up the good work!
It's so cool to see so many people still digging what Savatage and Criss did! Blown away with the response to this video, thanks for putting up with all my clams and my greasy hair :D
Cheers from Tampa Bay, FL (their home) I'm in a cover band which play nearly every song you listed! We even do "Ghost in the Ruins"! Haha! - Come to FL and jam with us!
@@kdragon7 what band? I live here!!
Mentally yours!!!!
@@divinederelicts2956 "Whitewitch" - we're planning on doing a show at the brass mug soon (could use a rhythm guitar if u know anybody)
@@divinederelicts2956 kdragon7@msn.com
Hey leon.. This is jon oliva for real I just wanted to thank you for recognizing my brother's incredible Talent so underrated that it makes me sad but thanks to people like you he lives on thank you again God bless you
Thankyou John - your music changed my life man.
john, you and your brother are fucking geniuses, I listen to rock and metal of any style and savatage will always be in my top 10 bands in the history of music. please talk to the guys because you have to come back, the music needs you 🤟🏻🤟🏻
Hey John. There's not a day goes by that I don't listen to Savatage. I love the music you, Chris and the band created.
Wow the legendary John Oliva himself, Greetings from Egypt 🤘🤘
hey Jon. if you see this. please come to vegas lol
Finally someone recognizes the amazing talent of Criss Oliva!! Thank you Leon!!
Yes you are right. Chris was really great. \m/
Criss was a great player and really cool too. I've seen Savatage play many times in the early days around the Tampa Bay area. He had the best tone of anyone.
I wished I lived in Tampa bay area. My wife's best friend been living there for 20 years now. Heard there's metal clubs around there still. \m/
Hear here!
Hall of the Mountain King is an absolute masterpiece...start to finish. But my fave Savatage song is still Sirens.
My same thoughts, cheers!
Totally agree with you.. H.o.t.M.K. is amazing... But Sirens is on another level..
I believe..Midas Knight..The dungeons are calling..I could go on and on and keep listing my favorites but really I like all their songs..I started with the 1st album when it came out..
I agree about Sirens as well. It is my number one from Savatage. If only Cris would have had a solo on that song, I would put it in my top 5 of all time. There is a live version on RUclips (I think from Detroit) that is just savage. And Jon sings so well on it. I think Cris plays it a little differently in that live video, doing fast trills instead of a slide in the main intro riff. Here it is: ruclips.net/video/qIF4mBR9Ih0/видео.html
Finally, Savatage is being raised.....R.I.P Chris Oliva...
Criss Oliva is how you spell that Guitar God's name!
Chris olivia is definitely underated. Seems only true Savatage fans even know about his work. Thank you for keeping his soul alive Leon
Was underated
No Mark, he still is underrated.
Criss Oliva is underrated too.
Great job.Savatage is a great and underappreciated band.
I dont appreciate them either
@@MsTooncesthecat your a moron.
MsTooncesthecat listen to them then and come back later and love the music
@@MsTooncesthecat Because you suck.
Criss Olivia is underrated. Listening to Hall of The Mountain King it's hard to believe that it's a one guitar band for that album.
Savatage are from my neck of the woods here in Tampa Florida, great band!
Lots of great music from that part of the world
@Cletus Anfernee Jackson HAHA!
@Cletus Anfernee Jackson Right! I think many even share the same teeth also.
The Outlaws are from the Tampa area as well! R.I.P. Hughie Thomasson!
The dungeons are calling was so fuckin awesome! I was a teenager when that came out. I remember how me and friends was just blown away by it. And then power of night followed and we was like holy shit. This is amazing metal. Dam those were the days.\m/
Leon!! U did an awesome job!! Criss was amazing...I played w him back when he was 14 yrs. old...he was WAY ahead of his time even back then!!! Miss him lots!! Thanks for remembering and honoring Criss!! Doc
Are u really dr killdrums?
Tell us about the show?
@@jivancich which one?
The album “Dead winter dead” is a masterpiece that should be taught at schools ..
Great album, but that wasn't Criss Oliva - it was Al Pitrelli and Chris Caffery on guitars. Criss died in 1993.
That's the second encarnation of Savatage different groove,melodies so far from the criss roots..but it's a good record.
When this album came out I couldn't find it anywhere- sold out- which I thought was very strange for a Savatage release. I went home and...my dad had bought it, and was very disappointed, he thought it was a Christmas album. My friend worked at a record store at the time and people were returning it in droves- they also thought it was a Christmas album. Sarajevo on one hand was a weird choice for a single, on the other hand I believe the success of that single was where Jon got the idea for Trans-Siberian.
@TCaad10 It works your imagination ..
@@davelanciani-dimaensionx I know. I love Chris's playing, but the compositions and lyrics are unbelievable on all of Savatage's albums ...
Me and my buddy rocked Jesus Saves on the way to high school in the morning. I love that riff
So much swagger to it
Dude... Holy shit... Absolutely one of the best. Definitely one of my favorites for back then very unique and influential. Him, Lynch, demartini and Jake E Lee... Damn thanks bro great stuff
Definitely!
Great list my 1A team is the godfather =Evh, Nuno, Criss. Guys on your list are my 2A squad along with Bratta,, Skolnick, Friedman dozen or so others haha.
Finally someone remembered them. Also Chris Caffery is a very good guitarist. You deserve a big like ! Keep on shredding
Yes but not as good as Criss O
Totally agree about Chris Cafferty. Good guy too. I met Chris after a Metal Church show. He was filling in on guitar for Metal Church. A few weeks prior M.C. guitarist broke his hand, and Chris was asked to fill in. He shared with me that he had a 2 weeks to learn the set list for M C., and he was flawless that night.
My favorite song by Savatage is Strange Wings which sounds to me like a sort of ode to Judas Priest's Dreamer Deceiver/Deceiver.
Hall of the mountain king..brings back memories...great video..
Hall of the Mountain King was their pinnacle in my opinion.
Awesome man! All glory to the most underrated guitarist/band. Cheers from Sweden!
Criss Oliva & Vito Bratta : Best heavy rock guitarist of the 80's! Edge of thorns omg great play -Great video ! thanx
And both underrated, as well.
I am a real diehard fan of Sava and Criss.And the only similar sound /style i found is Vito's,not a 3rd one:/
Ok this is my group. Criss and Vito are 2 of my biggest influences from the 80s.
RIP Chris
RIP Paul
......are there just too many doors between then and now.....
Certainly one of the most underappreciated guitarists ever. He had the ability of a virtuoso but was able to harness that ability and play interesting riffs and solos. And the way he filled the sound space with his guitar, adding a bit here and there was amazing. For the latter, just listen to "Tonight he grins again" from "Streets".
It sounds like a lot of Metalcore bands need to pay royalties to this band. Those riffs sound waaay ahead of their time
the Olivas were definitely forward thinkers. I have heard stuff from the two brothers that sounded similar to bands like Gordian Knot waaay before that music was a thing
One of the best bands. So damn underrated. Almost no one knows them
Legion Commander Main Good man. They are one of the finest metal bands ever. Oliva is incredible.
@@ryanmcneila1957 word brother
Was lucky enough to get to see him live on there Streets tour. He was such a great player. And your so right he belongs right up there with Randy, and Eddie.
Guitars players who know his stuff definitely put him up there. But sadly the band as a whole just never got big enough to be a household name. Kind of in that Allen Holdsworth/Ty Tabor realm where we guitarists know but rest of planet is asleep.
I see Savatage, I press like.
the hardest part of this video was trying to figure out the 5 riffs wasn't it?! CRISS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you did a great job.
I agree 100 percent....Criss Oliva never got the recognition of a lot of his contemporaries,which is a shame.....He had his own unique style....I bought Power of the Night when I saw it in a record store,just because I thought the cover was cool......I was hooked after that....One if the greatest bands of all time..
That was also my first Savatage vinyl.
There are only a handful of guitarists whose riffs are instantly recognizable as “their” sound. Criss Olivia’s definitely have that unique, individual characteristic. Great video, highlighting some of them!🤘
"Edge of Thorns" is one of my all-time Rock songs.
Dude. Put a smile on my face when I saw the title.
Man... thanks for this! I really love Savatage and Criss Oliva. One of the best bands of the 80's!
For me its The Unholy. The first time I heard it everything stopped. The feel in that guitar part is insane.
Unholy and hounds epic!
100% Savatage for life! Criss was & is still one of my fav players! & it all started for me with Dungeons!
Such nice comments....yes he was under rated....i know .... i was his drummer....thx for doing this video.....Doc W.
I hit the like button before even watching the video. Savatage, Criss Oliva... hell yes Leon.
Criss was a master, undoubtedly one of the most underrated guitar heroes of the 80s.
Criss had his own voice, which is recognizable in both solos and riff, and this really speaks volumes. He wasn't afraid to experiment with different tunings (Sirens, very first song of the very first album is in DropD), different sounds, different song structures (Hounds?).
Such a shame he was taken away too soon.
I always loved listening to Criss Oliva. R.I.P.
My favorite album: The hall of the mountain King.
Neo Medina gotta love edge of thorns aswell ? , I’m giving power of the night album another listen it actually has some amazing songs on there
@@grimmsleeper9475 thanks,in fact i liked almost all the albums,but my last statement is clear....in fact I LOVE SAVATAGE......their music is SO GOOD.....BY FAR¡¡¡
Neo Medina I do too I like a lot of their albums I haven’t listened to all of them fully
@@grimmsleeper9475 CERTEAINLY,THEY ARE LITTLE DIFFICULT TO DIGEST IN ONE FULL RUN,BUT IN LITTLE PIECES ARE EXCELLENT¡¡¡
Neo Medina yes, particularly gutter ballet for me it probs will take time to get into that album for me it’s so much more different than the rest of Jon olivas music with savatage
Gutter Ballet is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. For me, it’s the perfect mix of their early metal style and the later Broadway metal as you call it.
It's amazing how even though I haven't listened to their albums in a year or so, I can still remember their songs. I listened to them a shit ton when I was in high school. Such a great band!
It's really rare to find someone that loves Savatage. A pretty underrated band. Thanks for the content!
Thankyou!
So glad to hear such great praises of Savatage and particularly Criss, one of my absolute favorite guitar players ever.
I was ecstatic when you put up the Blackmore video. This has me over the moon! Gutter Ballet is one of my favorite songs to play, period. Of course, some of the parts I play would fall into the “how not to play” category, but I just have so much fun with it. So glad to see this video and Criss Oliva still getting his due so many years after his passing. He is easily in the pantheon of my guitar heroes. Thanks again, Leon!
Even thojgh I've never even heard the record, Gutter Ballet is what I would say if you said Savatage...it really stuck in my brain for some reason
Love everything about this video. Savatage is one of my favorite bands and I still can't get over how underrated they are. Criss was a powerhouse and is sorely missed.
He was my favorite guitar player. I was lucky to see him live 4 times. Like you said so much soul in his playing...
Criss was such an amazing talent and he will forever be missed. 😞 R.I.P. Criss
My favorite Savatage album is hands down Streets: A Rock Opera. Never before, or after, has a piece of music sent shivers down my spine or given me goosebumps. Even today after all these years, it still happens.
Jon and Criss were a once in a lifetime musical duo that can never be replicated. 😞
Criss had a small battery operated amp. And would play in the parking lot at tarpon springs high Skool . He was a awesome person n had time for all his fans. Steve was killer on the drums n Jon was a master of entertainment. I was lucky and blessed to grow up with them . Their music will never leave my heart. Their music is timeless n will be enjoyed forever.
Thanks for doing this - Great job! SAVATAGE remains one my favorite bands and should not be forgotten.
Somebody finally said it.. the most underrated guitarist... I've said it for years great riffs amazing solos
If your band has a drummer named "Dr. Killdrums", you might Rock even harder!
Thanxxx for giving me back this brilliant songs! 20 years ago I loved this band so much and don't ask me why I've lost them... 'till NOW! GREAT PLAYING, LEON 🤘🤘🤘
Big weekend of tunes coming up I take it?
Finally some savatage acknowledgement thanks brother that was great a lot of my guitar playing was inspired by criss Olivia. My favorite solo was on summers rain and I think over all my favorite riff would be in the hall of the mountain king.
Summer's rain has one of the best solos ever
@@primearchitech absolutely
Great video. Brings memories. Since I was 8-9 years old in Greece, I was gradually drawn into hard rock and then metal starting by listening to some Europe songs and mainly with Scorpions in the late 80s and plenty hair metal. First time I listened to Savatage by watching the video for When the crowds are gone on tv. That was a discovery. And they delivered high standards every time thereafter, even after the tragic loss of Chris Oliva and even after mid 90s when classic metal was out of fashion, they continued keeping the flame alive, even if they never got to the commercial spotlight they deserved (Trans-Siberian Orchestra probably got that). My first ever metal live performance I was lucky to attend was Jan. 1996 Savatage playing live in Athens for the Dead Winter Dead album. A memorable show. Zak Stevens, John Oliva, Al Pitrelli, Chris Caffery, Johnny Lee Middleton, Jeff Plate.
Criss was great...Nice to see him get some recognition...Hounds was an epic tune, great guitar solos!
Loved your video Leon!!! Chris Oliva has been one of my favorite guitar players....massively underrated and underrated band!!!!
Great video! And yes, criminally underrated! Sadly, my introduction to Savatage came after Criss' passing. I heard "Handful of Rain" on the radio one night and was hooked. I then went about getting my hands on everything in their catalog. I think my favorite guitar part is from "When the Crowds are Gone." So soulful!
What an awesome job by Leon! I am sure Chris was looking down smiling at such an awesome tribute.
Cris Oliva for me is the most underrated guitarist. We lost an amazing talent and this was our loss, the industry, the must we as humans. What to say invasion, riffs, epic bridges, animosity and sweetness he had it all and more. His tone in edge of thorns album was is unparallel. I wish I could replicate the he carved his stone tone. For me as an artist is a name that I always promote. Shame to all the media that they still ignore him. They were doing it when he was alive and they still doing it now.
If Cris had lived on, I believe he would finally get a break in nu metal. People gotta realize, his style of playing was 10 to 15 years ahead for his time. Even Dimebag, was influenced by him. Rest in peace to both ❤️🙏
Oh my gosh, so ironic you did this video, I kinda rediscovered Savatage this year again after nearly 30 years. I remember discovering them as a teenager in the mid 80’s (ya, I’m old) when I played drums and then got out of metal for a long time. Decided to start teaching myself guitar a few years ago and of course got back into my old favorite metal bands and stumbled upon Savatage again and had to start learning some of my favorite songs from them. My two favorite to play on guitar are Power of the Night and The Price You Pay. I have come to realize in the last year how amazing of a guitar player Criss Oliva was. Such an incredible combination of melodic and ripping shredder that he has become my favorite player by far, over EVH, DiMartini, Schenker, and others. Maybe only surpassed my Randy Roads. Thank you for doing this and bringing Criss to the forefront again and giving him the credit and praise he deserves. RIP Criss Oliva
Thank you for this. Keep up the great work. Nice to see more and more people recognizing Criss and his killer monster tone. Raise the Fist of the Metal Child!
Criss was one of the best! Hopefully we see more of his riffs cause I'm into playing his guitar style! These videos truly help and highly appreciated! Thanx
My favourite must be edge of thorns. It has everything I like about rock. Although "Streets" is one hell of an album.
You’re right, “Edge of Thorns “is a tough one. That feel and that shuffle is really hard to nail down while playing accurately. You did a great job on the solo!
I appreciate that mate!
Unholy has the most creative riff, imo...
One of my all time fave metal songs!!! Just awesome!!!
Excellent video once again Leon!!! Criss Oliva and Savatage were literally light years ahead of the pack when the 80's metal movement broke. Truly one of the absolute best bands to come out of New York. Thank you so much for shedding the spotlight on them that they deserve.....Rock on Leon!!!😎👍🤘🎸
Grew up on their album Wake of Magellan. Always takes me back.
Wow great video! I thank you for bringing Criss back into everyone’s mind again. I lived down the road from “The Pit” where (then they were called “Avatar”) practiced. It was so awesome to hear them. I have loved their music since. Thanks again!
Woah that's cool!
God, I remember playing Strange Wings over a backing track at my high school's talent show. Woefully underrated band, and in my opinion, one of the originators of progressive metal.
That's so badass
Everything about Savatage was underrated! Great video!
I saw Olivas last show in Clearwater, it was epic.
Oh man, so good. Totally gotta checkout Savatage now. Thanks Leon, lovin' this serious of vids.
Beyond the doors of the dark. What a song what a dark melody.
Nice job, man!! I've always been a fan of Savatage! Was lucky enough to see them, up close, in a small club in York, PA, called Swizzles. My introduction to them was "The Dungeons are Calling". I was hook from the opening fill. Rock on, brother!
I met Chris...seen him three times, and hated he never got his due, while Kirk Hammett was worshipped like a guitar God that is average at best.
Agreed
Kirk Hammett has survivors guilt
@@g99se9 Kirt is at home counting his money thinking, how in the he'll did I make all this money as an average guitar player...oh yeah...the rest of my band carried me on thier shoulders...lol
@@thorpenator9148 More like James carried all others.
@@6drk6mrc6 Your right, they are all replaceable except for James, plus Lars is such a douche.
I'm so happy with you're term " criminally underrated " guitar player. I live in Florida and have my entire life and have seen Avater which later became Savatage so many times whether it was in Tampa or Orlando. In the 80's I was in an a circuit club band in Florida. There was also a band in the circuit from Tampa named Lefty. Johnny Middleton was the bass player in that band. Through him, I got to get to know all the guys in Savatage.
That's awesome. They all seemed like they never forget where they came from.
Savatage is one of my favorite bands. Streets introduced me to them and was literally sitting in front of the stereo (that's right..stereo) and just starred at it.
I can remember when I heard 24hrs ago for the first time, it blew my mind. I have been a Savatage fan ever since. I don't know how you choose one riff over another...there are so many good ones!
I REALLY liked your version of the solo for " Gutter Ballet" seemed to have more improvisation in the first few seconds of it with the bends and stuff. I like it more than the Studio Version!
Great video - Legions is a superb song - great riff and amazing solo. But as you say there are hundreds of tracks you could have picked. I discovered Savatage way back in around 1985 or so as a 15 year old and have to say even back in the 'heyday' of rock/metal they were hugely underrated. Criss Oliva is a truly outstanding and unique player - like Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch, Vito Bratta etc - you can tell Criss' style a mile away with his unique signature sound and way of playing. Great video and really enjoyed it and your comments. RIP Criss Oliva
that must have been an amazing time to be a guitar player
Strange Wings, Gutter Ballet, HOTMK!!, oh my late 20"s, great video LT, as always
criss is an underrated guitar player,thanks to share his classic
Savatage was one of my favorite groups when I was younger. The dungeons are calling and power of the night are two of the greatest of all time to me. Just Awesome true metal music. Plus the hall of the mountain king was really great to. They was a great group and so underrated. They really had it all. Also Jon's solo albums are really very good to. verygood video \m/🙂
When you were talking about Streets, and said how if you're a fan of Minecrime, Tommy, and Quadrophenia, you will like it, you instantly sold me. Three of my favorite albums for sure!
Awesome!!
Savatage is such an underrated band. Fans really know how extraordinary Savatage are.
Long live Savatage!!! Good to see them still being talked about (besides TSO). I had the pleasure of hanging out with Savatage in 1990 in Dallas as I won a Z-Rock radio contest to meet them, all the guys were awesome, esp Criss, he got me and my friend into the concert 3 days later in Denver (I had just seen them in Denver a month before winning the contest) and hung out an talked to us before the show. So sad some idiot took him away from us.
underrated, criminally underrated guitarist...
Thanks for this! Savatage is one of my favorites...Edge of Thorns guitar solo gets me everytime!
Such a great band!
Hell yeah, finally Criss Oliva is getting the recognition he deserves, he was an incredibly talented guitarist, so sad that his life was tragically cut short, but he lives on through his music & die hard fans.
Jesus Saves riff is my favorite, Mentally Yours is another great one. The harmonics intro on the beginning of Turns to Me is absolutely perfect.
The tone on that Jesus Saves riff is sick!
Great selection of riffs. And don't discount your chops, man. You're a great player.
I really love the Savatage music, Criss Oliva was a monster guitar player, I'm so sorry for the accident, we really miss him so much!!
I thinks Criss Oliva it was a sample of evolutions, since SIRENS, POWER OF THE NIGHT, till the máster Piece GUTTER BALLET, CRIS, always growing up! ....
Underrated player and band. Love the theatrical sound they had.
Criss /savatage can't be rated.
They are out of the league
Madness Reigns!!!!
Criss Oliva , my all time music champion. Grew up listening to his music John and criss are legends for me. Favourite song for them is Believe , also the price you pay, summer's rain, red light paradise, when the crowds are gone, tonight he grins again,, ohh way so many songs!
Awesome stuff, bud! I was a Sava-fan way back in the day and you did an excellent job of compiling a "best of" to introduce Savatage to the masses. As soon as I saw your vid title, I was hoping that "Jesus Saves" made your list and you didn't disappoint! So much killer groove and twist and turns in that riff. LOVE IT! Your playing was spot on, no need to slag on yourself. Criss would be proud!
I love the phrasing in that riff, so groovy!
Your early experiences with Savatage were much like mine own, with Edge of Thorns being the first I ever heard. It came on the radio one day and I just said, "who the hell are these guys???" I immediately started looking for more of their music and I've been a huge fan ever since. Such an underrated band, and Criss Oliva definitely doesn't get the recognition he deserves in my opinion. Such fantastic guitar work. Thanks for posting these!
that song just hits so hard and Criss' leads are majestic!
@@LeonTodd Indeed they are. I've often wondered what those albums that followed his death would be like if he had lived. I wonder if Savatage would still be recording new music, or if he'd be contributing to TSO. I imagine he would be.
Yes!!!!! The best! Criss is my all time favorite guitarist!!! Extremely underrated, & deserved to be in every guitar magazine. I was playing Savatage today!! He Carves his Stone, fun song to play.
The riff in that one is savage! Like metallica with Seb bach on vox
@@LeonTodd There were two riffs I was going to mention. He Carves His Stone was one and Thorazine Shuffle was the other. The latter is so monstrous that it basically became the chorus and there's barely any vocal melody over it.
For me as a non-guitar player I liked the little stylistic things Criss did - the trills, slides and bends that gave the riffs character and made them groove as well as the heaviness and darker modes.
I came to Savatage in the early nineties as a keyboard player, starting with EoT and working back through the eighties catalogue. You could make an equally cool 'Top 5 Savatage keyboard riffs' video.
Chance, Watching you fall, Damian, and maybe my favourite of the Stevens era, The Hourglass off Wake of Magellan.
Cool video and great channel. I just subscribed. Keep up the good work!
Great way to honor Criss. He had such an organic natural approach to his playing that flowed so perfectly in the music.
Looking forward to digging into these guys! It's a lifetime, so many bands to listen to while making my own music! I'm running out of time...