THE BEAST

JON OLIVA On New SAVATAGE Music: 'I Basically Have An Album Ready'

After more than two decades without a proper tour, legendary American metal band SAVATAGE is gearing up for a long-awaited return to the stage. Known for their fusion of heavy, progressive, and power metal, the band has been largely absent from the live scene since 2002, with their last full performance taking place at Wacken Open Air in 2015. Now, they are set to embark on a series of concerts across South America in April and Europe in June.

SAVATAGE’s return kicks off in Brazil, where they will perform at the Monsters Of Rock festival on April 19 at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, alongside SCORPIONS, JUDAS PRIEST, EUROPE, OPETH, QUEENSRŸCHE, and STRATOVARIUS. There is also speculation about a solo concert at Espaço Unimed on April 21, though official confirmation is still pending.

However, one key figure will be absent from the tour: Jon Oliva, the band’s founding vocalist and keyboardist. In 2023, Oliva suffered a T7 vertebra fracture in three places, a serious injury that has left him wheelchair-bound. He has also been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and Ménière's disease, further complicating his health.

Jon Oliva’s Health Struggles and Decision to Sit Out the Tour

In a recent interview with Brazilian journalist Igor Miranda, Oliva candidly discussed his injuries and their impact on his ability to perform. “I can't even sing right now because of the pain,” he admitted. “I can’t stand for too long, and I need time for my vertebra to heal naturally.”

When asked about the possibility of surgery, Oliva revealed that he ultimately chose to avoid it. “They wanted to put metal in my body,” he said. “But people I spoke to told me not to do it, that I would regret it. So, I chose to let it heal naturally.”

Despite his absence from the stage, Oliva remains deeply involved with SAVATAGE and its legacy. He reflected on the band’s impact and the enduring quality of their music. “A lot of SAVATAGE’s stuff doesn’t sound dated,” he explained. “It reminds me of BLACK SABBATH’s ‘Paranoid’—you put it on, and it still stands out. That happens with SAVATAGE, too.”

New SAVATAGE Album Nearing Completion

One of the most exciting revelations from Oliva’s interview was the status of the long-awaited new SAVATAGE album. “I basically have an album ready,” he stated. “I’ve been working on it off and on for about a year. If I get the guys together to record, it’s ready. But we wanted to do this tour first.”

Beyond just one album, Oliva confirmed that there is a wealth of material waiting to be released. “We have enough for four albums,” he said. “The lyrics aren’t written yet, but musically, it’s done. And it’s my fault everything stopped because of the fractures.”

Previously, Oliva hinted that the next SAVATAGE album might be the band’s last. However, his latest comments suggest otherwise. “I said it might be the last one, but now I’m not sure,” he admitted. “What am I going to do? Release a quadruple album? I don’t think it will be the last one.”

The Band’s Long-Awaited Return and Lineup

In a separate interview with The Metal Voice - transcribed by Blabbermouth, guitarist Chris Caffery and drummer Jeff Plate discussed the band’s reunion and upcoming live shows. Plate credited SAVATAGE’s loyal fanbase for keeping the band alive over the years. “The fanbase never gave up on us. They’ve been beating the drum for this reunion for years,” he said.

Though SAVATAGE has not embarked on a proper tour in over 20 years, Plate clarified that the band never officially broke up. “Obviously, we all work together in TSO [TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA]. We’ve played at least one SAVATAGE song per TSO tour. The music has always been out there, and the fanbase has been clamoring for this.”

Caffery echoed Plate’s sentiment, emphasizing the urgency of the reunion. “After we did Wacken [2015], the plan was to start playing again. But then Paul O’Neill passed away, COVID hit, and Jon’s injuries happened. Now, 10 years have flown by, and we need to do this now before another decade disappears.”

SAVATAGE’s lineup for the 2025 tour will feature:

• Johnny Lee Middleton – Bass

• Chris Caffery – Guitar

• Al Pitrelli – Guitar

• Jeff Plate – Drums

• Zak Stevens – Lead Vocals

The Vision for the New Album

Regarding the upcoming album’s direction, Oliva expressed confidence in its strength. “Some of this shit is really strong,” he said. “And the fact that you’re gonna have me and Zak sharing the vocals, doing songs together in a duet style, is gonna blow people away.”

He also confirmed that former SAVATAGE drummer Steve Wacholz will make an appearance on a few tracks, alongside longtime members Jeff Plate, Johnny Lee Middleton, Al Pitrelli, Chris Caffery, and Zak Stevens. Additionally, Jane Mangini (TSO keyboardist) will contribute.

The working title for the album is ‘Curtain Call’, inspired by a deeply emotional piano-driven track of the same name. “It’s just me with a piano, and it’s very deep,” Oliva revealed. “It’s basically me singing to the fans, telling them all goodbye and thank you. Every time I hear it, I cry. But it’s my way of saying goodbye.”

While Oliva previously stated that this could be the band’s final album, his recent remarks suggest that the end of SAVATAGE may not be imminent. “I want to make sure this is a 10 out of 10 album. But who knows? Maybe there will be more after this.”

A Legacy Continues

SAVATAGE’s last studio album, Poets And Madmen (2001), marked the return of Jon Oliva as lead vocalist after Zak Stevens’ departure. Now, with Oliva and Stevens collaborating once again, fans can expect a new chapter in SAVATAGE’s storied history.

Despite his health challenges, Jon Oliva remains a driving force behind the band’s music. As the world waits for new SAVATAGE material, the upcoming live shows will serve as a celebration of their legacy and a reminder that their music continues to stand the test of time.