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1983 is a year that many of you probably remember because of releases like Metallica's "Kill'em All" and Slayer's "Show No Mercy" but it was also the year that Florida rockers Savatage released their debut album "Sirens". The band had already been playing for about five years at this time but it was now that the major label Atlantic became interested in them and they were off to a long and prosperous career in the heavy metal backyard. Despite major label backing it seems like they were never in the real spotlight but always acting in the shadows of the most famous bands. "Sirens" is not as strong of a debut as "Kill'em All" or "Show No Mercy" but it is still a very good album that has a given place in the history of heavy music in the 80s. What I am holding in my hand right now is not the original release of the album but the Metal Blade re-release from 1994. Aside from the nine original tracks this version also includes two previously unreleased songs called "Lady In Disguise" and "The Message" which are there to be sure that fans of the band will buy this version as well. These two tracks do not add that much but we still have the old songs to enjoy, above all the title track which is a classic in heavy rock and one of the best Savatage songs ever. The driving rhythm, the dark yet heavy guitar sound and the somewhat rough but also powerful vocals of Jon Oliva all add to the characteristic Savatage sound. On this album they have however not fully found their own style and it is a little uneven in the song writing. Despite this it is definitely worth purchasing if you enjoy hard and heavy rock / metal in general. Savatage sounds a little like a darker and heavier version of the 80s glam rock bands, sort of hard rock going metal if you know what I mean. There is a little bit of Mötley Crüe, a little bit of Iron Maiden but a whole lot of Savatage and there is really no other band who sounds like them, even at this early stage. "Sirens" marks the beginning of something unique and special that has lasted for two decades.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Sirens |
| 2. Holocaust |
| 3. I Believe |
| 4. Rage |
| 5. On The Run |
| 6. Twisted Little Sister |
| 7. Living For The Night |
| 8. Scream Murder |
| 9. Out On The Streets |
| 10. Lady In Disguise |
| 11. The Message |
: 44.14
| Buy other Savatage albums |
