CELEBRATING 30th ANNIVERSARY OF “JAPAN LIVE ‘94”
LEGENDARY SHOW FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME IN AUDIO FORM AVAILABLE IN ITS ENTIRETY!
IN STORES ON DOUBLE LP ON AUGUST 9, 2024
For three years earMUSIC has been paying tribute to the heavy metal legends with the extensive re-release of their entire studio album back catalogue on heavyweight, high-quality 12" LP. From Sirens (1983) to Poets And Madmen (2001), all studio albums returned on finest vinyl after having been sought after by fans and collectors for a long time.
In memory of Criss Oliva and to honor his legacy and his unmistakably unique work, SAVATAGE and earMUSIC celebrated the release of Ghost In The Ruins for the very first time on vinyl on October 27th, 2023.
Now, with the first-time-ever-on-vinyl release of Japan Live ‘94 on August 9th, 2024, the exciting LP reissue journey comes to an end.
Like sonic snapshots, live albums memorialize and preserve amplified moments in time. For those in attendance, they allow the ability to relive an aural moment, and for the rest of us, it's the ultimate souvenir, a time-stamped milestone that captures an artist/a band as they were. In SAVATAGE's case, Japan Live ‘94 captures a crucially important and significant tour for a band that, after experiencing gut-wrenching tragedy and massive personnel changes, was on undeniably shaky ground but stood tall, nonetheless. It was the first stop on a trip that ultimately forge onward to Sarajevo and Siberia – a journey that, 30 years later, has no end in sight.
This double LP release marks the first time in audio form that the show is available in its entirety with all 16 songs in show running order and all newly mastered for vinyl. The album is being reissued on heavyweight black vinyl, packed in a deluxe gatefold packaging with the original cover design, brand new liner notes by Clay Marshall and rare memorabilia.
Japan Live ‘94
Out on August 9th, 2024
Ghost In The Ruins – A Tribute To Criss Oliva
The Wake of Magellan (1997)
Unlike “Dead Winter Dead”, which was written primarily on piano, Savatage’s third concept album “The Wake of Magellan”, originally released in 1997, is undeniably a guitar-oriented record. Oliva credited that to Chris Caffery and Al Pitrelli contributing several riffs, but O’Neill believed it also stemmed from having a more stable line-up. “The Wake Of Magellan was our third concept album and the second with the new line up. For all of us, it was an enjoyable album to make”, said Jon Oliva. “I was very, very happy with Magellan”, added Paul O’Neill. “One of the things I always thought gave Savatage an advantage is that on first listen, a lot of songs come across as great music that’s enjoyable to listen to, but the more you look, the deeper it becomes. With Magellan, like the ocean itself, there’s so many little things hidden in there. I wanted it to be like a movie you enjoy the first time, but you enjoy it even more the second, third, fourth or even the 20th time.”
The LP reissue edition is becoming available as 180g Double 12” Black Vinyl LP, along with a Limited Collector’s Edition on Heavyweight Transparent Orange Double Vinyl. Both editions are mastered for vinyl, reissued with the original cover design, specially enhanced artwork, including a 12-pages LP booklet with extensive liner notes by Clay Marshall and carry an exclusive, previously unreleased live bonus-track. Exclusive to the Limited Collector’s Edition is a Lenticular Cover Card.
Poets and Madmen (2001)
Savatage’s last studio album featuring Jon Oliva back on lead vocals.
The wonderful journey in the SAVATAGE time machine finds its completion with the LP re-release of "Poets and Madmen". This album is a blend of the band's guitar-heavy past and their more theatrical later works, with Jon's charismatic vocals bridging the gap, offering a comforting dose of the familiar as the band continues to break new ground. “Poets and Madmen” also marks the end of the band's remarkable partnership with Paul O'Neill, which resulted in eight albums in 14 years that continue to excite fans and critics decades later.
Available as Black 180g Double Vinyl Gatefold Edition and Strictly Limited Collector’s Edition on “Glow In The Dark” Vinyl. Both editions are mastered for vinyl, reissued with the original cover design and specially enhanced artwork, including a 16-pages LP booklet. Exclusive to the Limited Collector’s Edition is a 7” Splatter Single with the song “Awaken (Extended Version)”.
Handful of Rain (1994)
Dedicated to legendary guitarist and co-founder CRISS OLIVA.
“Handful Of Rain” was the first album after Criss Oliva’s death. “None of us knew at that time if what we were doing was right, or if we should have just stopped”, says Jon Oliva. “We were offered four times the amount of money to do the live tribute than we got to do ‘Handful of Rain’, but we wanted to do ‘Alone You Breathe’. Paul and I needed to release that song, for Criss’ sake. As weird as it sounds, that was the most important thing to us.”
Almost three decades after its original release, “Handful Of Rain” is becoming available again on finest vinyl. Reissued as a 180g Black LP Gatefold Edition, along with a Limited Collector’s Edition on Transparent Blue Vinyl. Both editions are mastered for vinyl and reissued with the original cover design and specially enhanced artwork, including a 12-pages LP booklet with extensive liner notes by Clay Marshall. Exclusive to the Limited LP Collector’s Edition is a deluxe LP slipmat with the album cover art.
Dead Winter Dead (1995)
Savatage’s Grand 1995 Concept Album “Dead Winter Dead” was unquestionably an important, albeit transitional, record for Savatage. It boosted the group’s European following and it found Oliva reclaiming a more active role in the band.
“On ‘Dead Winter Dead’ we completed the storytelling we started on ‘Streets’, and we also took the counterpoint we established on ‘Handful of Rain’ even further”, said Paul O’Neill.
The LP reissue edition is becoming available as 180g Double 12” Black Vinyl LP, along with a Limited Collector’s Edition on Heavyweight Red Double Vinyl. Both editions are mastered for vinyl, reissued with the original cover design, specially enhanced artwork, including a 16-pages LP booklet with extensive liner notes by Clay Marshall and carry an exclusive, previously unreleased live bonus-track. Exclusive to the Limited Collector’s Edition is a 1996 European Tour Poster Replica.
Streets: A Rock Opera (1991)
A defining artistic statement:
Savatage’s first concept album!
Every fan believes that their favourite band has a crowning achievement, a magnum opus, a defining artistic statement. For many Savatage diehards, that landmark is Streets.
Originally released in 1991, the group’s first rock opera tells of a rock star who ultimately overcomes the demons of his drug-dealing past to achieve spiritual salvation. The album spawned what would become the band’s most beloved song, an epic tale of redemption titled “Believe”. It would also be the last Savatage record featuring vocalist Jon Oliva performing alongside his late brother, guitarist Criss Oliva.
This Savatage classic is being reissued as a Heavyweight Double LP Gatefold Edition on Black Vinyl, along with a Limited Collector’s Edition on Ocean Blue Vinyl. Both editions are mastered for vinyl and reissued with the original cover design, specially enhanced artwork, including a 12pages LP booklet with extensive liner notes by Clay Marshall.
Edge of Thorns (1993)
The final album by legendary guitarist and co-founder Criss Oliva.
This 1993 Savatage album classic is also the band’s first album that features Zachary Stevens as lead vocalist.
"Edge Of Thorns" is becoming available as a High Quality 45rpm 180g Double 12inch Black Vinyl LP reissue, along with a Limited Collector’s Edition on Sun Yellow Double Vinyl. Both editions are mastered for vinyl, spinning at 45rpm and reissued with the original cover design, specially enhanced artwork, including a 12-pages LP booklet with extensive liner notes by Clay Marshall. Exclusive to the Limited Collector’s Edition is a deluxe art print showing the iconic album cover illustration.
Hall Of The Mountain King (1987)
Recapturing the metal edge: Savatage's acclaimed 1987 album! "Hall Of The Mountain King" marks the beginning of the succesful relationship with producer Paul O'Neill. Considered a turning point in the band's musical identity, the albums shows the beginning of their progressive tendencies.
Mastered for vinyl and reissued with the original cover design, enhanced artwork and extensive liner notes, the album is available as a 180g Black Vinyl Gatefold Edition and as a Strictly Limited Heavyweight Collector's LP Edition on Golden Vinyl that comes with an exclusive 7" Vinyl Single featuring the song "This Is Where You Should Be" and a 1987 live version of "Hall Of The Mountain King".
Gutter Ballet (1989)
A turning point for the band:
Savatage’s 1989 studio album "Gutter Ballet" is exploring a more progressive sound.
To quote producer Paul O’Neill: “Savatage was graduating from being a heavy metal band to becoming more than a heavy metal band. On Mountain King, we had toyed with a little bit of a more symphonic, progressive side, but we hadn’t taken it as deep as we did on Gutter.”
Mastered for vinyl and reissued with the original cover design, enhanced artwork including a 12pages LP booklet with extensive liner notes by Clay Marshall, the album will become available as a 180g Black Vinyl Gatefold Edition and as a Strictly Limited Heavyweight Collector’s LP Edition on Silver Vinyl which includes an exclusive ’89 poster replica and an exclusive 10” Vinyl Single.
POWER OF THE NIGHT (1985)
Originally released in 1985, Savatage's “Power Of The Night” was produced by Max Norman and the last album with bassist Keith Collins.
Mastered for vinyl and with the exclusive demo version “No More Saturday Nights”, Savatage’s third studio album is reissued with the original cover design, enhanced artwork and extensive liner notes by Clay Marshall. The album will become available as a 180g Black Vinyl Gatefold Edition and as a Strictly Limited Collector’s LP on Crystal Clear Vinyl which comes in an exclusive Pop-Up Gatefold packaging.
FIGHT FOR THE ROCK (1986)
"Fight For The Rock (1986)" showed that we were learning our craft, how to be versatile and write different types of stuff, and not be in one little heavy metal box." - Jon Oliva
Mastered for vinyl and reissued with the original cover design, enhanced artwork and extensive liner notes by Clay Marshall, the album will become available as a 180g Black Vinyl Gatefold Edition and Strictly Limited Heavyweight Collector’s LP Edition on White Vinyl which includes an exclusive 10” Vinyl Single with three rare demo recordings at Bearsville Studios from that era.
SIRENS (1983)
Raw talent and power on display: Savatage’s first album! Mastered for vinyl and reissued with the original 1983 design, including new extensive liner notes by Clay Marshall.
The album will be released on 180g Black Vinyl and a Strictly Limited Heavyweight Collector’s LP Edition on Turquoise Translucent Vinyl with LP-sized 4-page-booklet.
THE DUNGEONS ARE CALLING (1984)
Loud and proud: Savatage’s second album! Mastered for vinyl and with the exclusive bonus track “The Dungeons Are Calling (Outtake)”.
Reissued with the original 1984 design (including new extensive liner notes), the album will be released on 180g Black Vinyl and a Strictly Limited Heavyweight Collector’s LP Edition on Red Translucent Vinyl which includes an exclusive 7” replica of the band’s single “City Beneath The Surface”.