EDGE OF THORNS

This Savatage's record was the Criss Oliva's last one, before he was killed by a drunk driver in a road... And the first with Zachary Stevens on vocals, who is one of the most original and personal singers I've heard in my whole life.

Maybe It's one of the most hard-rocking works of Savatage. In that time, Jon Oliva wasn't an official member of the band, although he played piano, keyboards and some drums here (and he took part of the composition too...). For that, we can hear a lot of the Criss Oliva's touch in the composition, and "Edge of Thorns" it's a work less symphonic and bombastic than the two previous "Gutter Ballet" and the great masterpiece "Streets". But it's still a masterpiece in my opinion and it still have great progressive and symphonic moments, but in a more guitar-oriented way.

Every Savatage's album is different from all the others, and this is any exception. When you hear this album, it's obviously Savatage, but with a very different feeling than the previous "Streets" and the upcoming "Handful of Rain". That's one of the things that make Savatage a very special band...

Best songs: it's difficult to say what are the best songs of this album, because it has no weak tracks. But if I had to choose, the best for me are: Edge of Thorns, Follow Me and All That I Bleed. But I also love Damien, He Carves His Stone, Sleep, Miles Away...

Conclusion: maybe if you are an obsessed progressive fanatic, you will not be able to apreciate this album and the Savatage's work, but I recommend it to everyone who loves really good music (being progressive or not) I will not give "Edge of Thorn" the perfect rating, because it's a little step under the Savatage's metal operas in quality, and it's also a bit less progressive and symphonic, being more hard rock and classic heavy metal oriented... Nevertheless, you'll hardly find a metal album with such a great sound, such great compositions, and with such a great guitar player... The very missed Criss Oliva, in his last (and marvellous) recording! Incredible music.

My rating: ****1/2