EDGE OF THORNS

4.5 stars. This album along with "Hall Of The Mountain King" are my two favourite SAVATAGE albums by a long shot. "Streets" would be a distant third. "Edge Of Thorns" is interesting because it was the first album with new vocalist Zachery Stevens as Jon Oliva decided to quit singing and focus on the keyboards and lyrics. Also this is the only album with Zach singing where I really like his vocals. Sadly this would be Jon's brother Criss Oliva's last album for the band as we would be tragically killed by a drunk driver.

"Edge Of Thorns" opens with piano then the heaviness takes over before a minute and the vocals join in.This is laid back but heavy at the same time. It picks up before 3 minutes. Hell yeah ! And check out the guitar. It settles back and ends with piano. "He Carves His Stone" opens with gentle guitar as reserved vocals join in. It kicks in before a minute with crunchy guitars. Check out the instrumental section starting just before 3 minutes. Incredible ! The vocals come in screaming. Not worthy. "Light's Out" opens with some killer guitar as the vocals join in and impress. Love the guitar throughout this rocker. "Skraggy's Tomb" opens with relaxed guitar and a dark atmosphere. It kicks in heavily before a minute. Vocals too. Great sound before 4 minutes. "Labyrinth" is a short piece that features piano and tasteful guitar. "Follow Me" is mellow with guitar and reserved vocals to start. It turns fuller and we get some emotion half way though.Then we get this powerful but laid back instrumental section before the vocals return and it picks back up. So good.

"Exit Music" is a beautiful track filled with piano melodies. "Degrees Of Sanity" is dominated by riffs quickly as the vocals join in. A killer instrumental section starts before 3 minutes then the vocals return. "Conversation Piece" has this heavy soundscape of drums and riffs as the reserved vocals join in but they don't stay that way for long. The guitar is ripping it up 3 minutes in. "All That I Bleed" opens with piano and fragile vocals.Some heaviness 2 1/2 minutes in. "Damien" is better as we get some energy and I love the guitar. "Miles Away" has to be my favourite track. Beautiful guitar to open as these uplifting vocals join in. Gorgeous. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes. We get a tasteful guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. "Sleep" is mainly strummed guitar and reserved vocals.

Love the cover art too (wink). Amazing album that is guitar driven and really the perfect record to remember Criss by. I may bump this to 5 stars one day as it's almost flawless.