EDGE OF THORNS

Edge of Thorns surely was a big turning point in Savatage career, and also a chance for the guitar-genius Criss Oliva to make all the fireworks he wanted. This is an album I define "hard rock - metal progressive", 'cause most of the songs are very hard-rock oriented, in a delightful progressive vein. The finest example is "Conversation piece", with its groovy devastating riff. It s also one of the most original Savatage songs ever. There are also great metal songs as "He carves his stone", which has another powerful shredding riff and breath-taking solos. The title track was the first Savatage song to go on radio and it's not only a great song, but also a progressive masterpiece, 'cause it's simple and straight-to-the-heart, but has also a great rhythm and a perfect mix of stunning heavy guitars and piano parts. "Follow Me" really rocks and has a unique symphonic atmospere. I think it cannot be heard without the ntroductory "Labyrinths" and the placid "Exit Music". This three songs together form the so called "Follow me trilogy". "Lights Out" is in my opinion the song every rock musician has got to put in his collection. It's rock at its state of the art, like "Miles Away". "All That I Bleed" and "Sleep" are two impressive ballads and I think every rock listener would like them. They also give the necessary time to let you breathe between the other powerful songs. The record won't be the same without them.

To summarize I think that "Edge Of Thorns" is what "progressive-rock" really means ... by the letter.