OLIVA: RAISE THE CURTAIN

The most progressive release that we've had from Jon Oliva. Some of the same elements that have been in his music in JOP and TSO and, to a lesser extent, old Savatage, are on display here. However, Jon is definitely pushing into new-ish areas for him on this album. Lots of organ playing present; there are even some horns on this album (and flute). The Mountain King's voice is as strong as ever.

Raise the Curtain - powerful organ sound; huge gang vocals

Soul Chaser - starts off great and never lets go

Ten Years - horns! Really love this track

Father Time - reminds of 70s Southern rock, but not in a bad way

I Know - power ballad; haunting piano intro; chorus could be better

Big Brother - fast organ intro; heavy

Armageddon - good song, but perhaps a bit too much like some Dead Winter Dead songs

Soldier - great lyrics; love the flute work on it

Stalker - Jon in full scary mode

The Witch - some great parts, but a bit uneven

Can't Get Away - nothing bad here, but lacks...something

Overall, a great album. Five stars for any Sava/TSO/Butcher/JOP fan; a solid four stars for anyone else.

The mastermind behind Savatage, having released several albums with his band Jon Oliva's Pain, releases something different here. This is more of a solo album, with a huge diversity of sounds.

It's always good to have more music from Oliva, and here you have heavy songs, theatrical songs, songs with horns--a lot of heavy, quite a bit of soft. Production values are a tiny bit muddled in places, although that's not a huge distraction given Jon Oliva's fantastic but rough vocals. The highlight of the album is "I Know," a haunting ballad that Savatage fans should really enjoy.

Those new to Jon Oliva's work should first check out Savatage instead--"Streets," or "Dead Winter Dead." Savatage fans who want more Savatage-type music (and honestly, given how unique their music is, I think that describes most Savatage fans) will find some stuff here to enjoy. 3.5 stars.