AHEAD of their re-master and reissue campaign of their entire back catalogue, American Progressive Metal band Savatage has released a 2CD anthology.

Featuring re-mastered classics and new acoustic versions of three tracks recorded by main man Jon Oliva, this acts as both a definitive retrospective and excellent primer for those who are unfamiliar with the band.

Formed back in 1983, Savatage has recorded 14 albums from their debut ‘Sirens’ in 1983 to 2001’ ‘Poets And Madmen’.

The band was cutting edge with their fusion of power riffs, melody and orchestration.

Originally, their inspiration was the likes of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and iron Maiden, but from 1987 the band took the music to another dimension.

During the nineties, they delivered some Symphonic Rock concept albums like ‘Streets’ and ‘Edge Of Thorns’.

Despite tragedy, the band has continued.

Tracks such as ‘Power Of The Night’, ‘When The Crowds Are Gone’, ‘The Wake Of Magellan’ and ‘Morphine Child’ all bear testament to the band’s force and musicianship.

Band leader said recently, “I’m so excited to give the fans the proper representation of all these albums. For them to own them as they were meant to be heard and seen makes me very happy.”.