Savatage

Savatage
The Poets and Madmen touring lineup, 2001
Background information
Also known as	Avatar (1979–1983)
Origin	Tarpon Springs, Florida, United States
Genres	Heavy metal progressive metal power metal
Years active	1979–2002 2014–present
Labels	Combat Atlantic Nuclear Blast SPV/Steamhammer
Associated acts	Trans-Siberian Orchestra Jon Oliva's Pain Circle II Circle Machines of Grace Doctor Butcher Testament
Website	www.savatage.com
Members	Jon Oliva Johnny Lee Middleton Chris Caffery Zachary Stevens Jeff Plate Al Pitrelli
Past members	See: List of Savatage band members

Savatage (/ˈsævətɑːʒ/) is an American heavy metal band founded by the Oliva brothers Jon and Criss in 1979 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The band was first called Avatar, and just prior to the release of their debut album Sirens in 1983, they changed their name to Savatage.

Savatage has released eleven studio albums, two live albums, four compilations and three EPs. The band experienced major American commercial success with the release of their third studio album, Fight for the Rock (1986), which peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200. Their next four albums — Hall of the Mountain King (1987), Gutter Ballet (1989), Streets: A Rock Opera (1991) and Edge of Thorns (1993) — were also successful but more critically acclaimed than Fight for the Rock.

After Criss' death in 1993, Jon (along with producer Paul O'Neill) decided to continue Savatage in memory of his brother. The band released four more studio albums, and went through several line-up changes before going on hiatus in 2002. During the years — partly even before the hiatus — members founded various new bands such as Jon Oliva's Pain, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Circle II Circle and Doctor Butcher. On August 2, 2014, Savatage announced that they were reuniting for Wacken Open Air in 2015; although the band has not performed any live shows since then, they are still active.