GLOBAL WARNING

Good, but not special

Ever since I first checked (and thoroughly enjoyed) Savatage, some years after they disbanded, I knew it was inevitable that I would come to listen to the band's spiritual successor, Jon Oliva's Pain. After the not-so-special experience I had listening to this latest album from this project of Jon's, Festival, I wasn't too excited about getting my hands on Global Warming.

However, as anyone would expect from a fanboy, under the right circumstances, he'll toss his reason aside and impulsively act, which was what happened when I found this at an inviting price range (coupled with the salesman insisting that this was better than Festival). It wasn't the smartest move I've ever done, I admit it, but I don't regret from it because, after all, Global Warming isn't really a bad album.

in spite of that, the album suffers from some of the same problems as Festival does, but to a lesser degree. Once more, it feels that Jon Oliva, although amounting great compositions with Savatage, has come to a point in his career that people assume that, no matter what he thinks or does, will always be acceptable to put out and market as an opus compared to his previous works. Everybody knows it doesn't work like that, people who work creatively need to be challenged in order to really outdo themselves, to really be able to do what they are supposed to do: be creative. However, for some time now, Jon Oliva seems to not have enough people to challenge and question him creatively anymore, so all his compositions somewhat sound like something he has already done before. In Global Warming, at least, this generic feeling I have is restricted to his own compositions, unlike in Festival, where things were much more generic.

Extending the comparison with Festival for some few more words, the influences here are much more varied. There is still the feeling that you are listening to a worsened version of Savatage with touches of Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd, but here you can also hear Queen, blues, Rush and hard rock; furthermore, the compositions are more intricate and well constructed, even if they aren't quite special when put in perspective. His vocals are also better used/sung here; not that there is a huge difference from the 2010 album, but he chooses more carefully how and when to sing, what makes some slight but noticeable difference.

All in all, although Global Warming is indeed a better album than Festival, there isn't much anything quite special about this album either. This is what you would expect from an average progressive metal album, excepting the extraordinary instrumental virtuosi one would expect in this genre (which was never Savatage's focus anyway). Having no real surprises and being an enjoyable album, I believe that the most fitting rating would be three stars.

This is my favourite post-Savatage album Jon Oliva has put together under any other band and it could stand among Savatage's catalogue as one of their best. The Mountain King decided to experiment with his band and the quality of the musicians allow for that. This becomes evident right from the opening track which is more like an overture which segues seamlessly into Look at the World which goes back to the Avatar days. Adding the Cost is more driving and the lyrics still deal with the situation of our world. Before I Hang is a combination of two older Savatage songs that never made their way to an official release. It would be interesting to hear how they sounded because the updated version makes me think that there is no way that the original would sound better. In the liner notes Jon points Firefly as his possible favourite of the album. By the way, you should definitely read the notes because they are full of information. It oozes with emotion, both lyrically and musically. Master is perhaps the most experimental track Jon has done so far that slips into the industrial territory and it's really heavy. It's amazing how such different songs make up such a coherent album. The musicanship is totally at another level. For instance the transition to The Ride is so smooth which features a beautiful hammered dulcimer performance. O to G is the band's farewell to the late Greg Marchak - their up till then producer and sound engineer. It's less than 2 minutes still it sounds as a fully-fledged song, but then again we could take this and Walk Upon the Water as one. It ranks among my favourites with its mesmerising melodies, the wonderful bridge and chorus, an absolute highlight right from the first time I got to listen to it. If someone would listen to the first notes of Stories without knowing the band would immediately ask if Savatage have released a new album. The song dates back to the Power of the Night days and once again I'm curious to know if the original track sounded any better. Things calm down once again in Open Up Your Eyes but this is the first song that sounds not as good to my ears. It isn't bad of course. You Never Know is a leftover from the Gutter Ballet era (OK, this one makes sense!) and it is truly a Savatage song. Someone / Souls is a song made of two of totally different nature and the acoustic Souls appeals to me a bit more.

In conclusion, Global Warning is one of my favourite metal/rock/prog/experimental albums (which category does it fall into?) and it would be one of my ever-favourites if the last couple of songs were more agreeable with me. Listen to it carefully, admire the artwork and read the lyrics.