Savatage was an American heavy metal band founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The band was first called Avatar, but, shortly before the release of their debut album Sirens, they changed their name to Savatage, as Avatar was already taken by another band. Savatage is considered a significant member of the American heavy metal movement of the early-to-mid-1980s and has been cited as a key influence on many genres, such as power metal, progressive metal, speed metal, thrash metal, death metal and symphonic metal. Savatage has released eleven studio albums, two live albums, four compilations and three EPs. The band first reached substantial commercial success with its third studio album Fight for the Rock, which peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200. Its next four albums—Hall of the Mountain King, Gutter Ballet, Streets: A Rock Opera and Edge of Thorns—were also successful but more critically acclaimed than Fight for the Rock.
| Also known as | Avatar (1979–1983) |
| Origin | Tarpon Springs, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Heavy metal, progressive metal, power metal, symphonic metal, speed metal |
| Years active | 1979–2002, 2014–2015 |
| Labels | Combat, Atlantic, Nuclear Blast, SPV/Steamhammer |
| Associated acts | Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Jon Oliva's Pain, Circle II Circle, Machines of Grace, Doctor Butcher, Reverence, Testament |
| Members | Jon Oliva, Johnny Lee Middleton, Chris Caffery, Zachary Stevens, Jeff Plate, Al Pitrelli |
| Past members | See |
About Savatage
Founded by brothers Jon and the late Criss Oliva, this heavy metal outfit is closely affiliated with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Their most commercially successful single was "Edge of Thorns."
Achievement of Savatage
They were known as Avatar between 1979 and 1982. The group disbanded in 2002, and reunited in 2014 by performing after a Trans-Siberian Orchestra show.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About Savatage
Savatage Category.. American symphonic metal musical groups.. American power metal musical groups.. Heavy metal musical groups from Florida.. American progressive metal musical groups.
