The Savatage re-issue gets underway with the band's debut album from 1985 plus the 'Dungeons Are Calling' EP from the same time appearing as one album as they were originally intended to do.

Savatage back in 1985 were a different beast from the band a few years later who produced such classics as 'Streets - A Rock Opera' and 'In The Hall Of The Mountain King'.

Original Savatage come across very basic sounding and not a million miles away from the early sounds of Metallica. 'Sirens' is one of the band's classic songs and still gets played by Jon Oliva's Pain live to this day.

There is a recently recorded acoustic version of 'In the Dream' by Jon Oliva (basically his vocal and piano playing). A good verison although it sounds slightly at odds with the rest of the album's more basic, direct metal sound.

This album is only going to appeal to die hard fans/collectors. This is still an important album in the band's history as it shows how far they have come in their sound and style since their early days.

***

Review by Jason Ritchie