Savatage
Power of the Night


3.0
good

Review

by ksoflas USER (8 Reviews)
March 2nd, 2016 | 30 replies


Release Date: 1985 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Raise the fist of the metal child!

Due to The Dungeons Are Calling, which left the best impressions, Savatage signed a contract with Atlantic Records. Having this time a bigger budget in their expense the band recruits Max Norman, who would later go on to produce Megadeth's 1992 album Countdown To Extinction, and they strike with their second full length album in 1985.

Savatage's new offering Power Of The Night showcased the band's unorthodox approach to metal, which included Jon's liberal use of keyboards on songs like Fountain Of Youth and Broadway-style song structures like the kind employed on Warriors. It was well received by critics but fell short of sales expectations. The production was the best they've ever had and the artwork was excellent but the quality of the compositions vary. Unfortunately the band seems to repeat itself and in certain points are clearly bored. The main reason is the drug abuse that the group was in during the making of Power Of The Night.

The best word to describe the album is inconsistent. On the one hand Jon oliva continues to offer free seminars of singing and interpretation and the band holds on tight to its musical identity but on the other hand songs like Hard For Your Love and Stuck On You doesn't honour in any circumstances their composers. Beside the weak moments though, hymns like the self titled track, Warriors, Skull Session and Washed Out firmly stand their ground. Also the album includes Savatage's first attempt of a piano driven power ballad In The Dream which offers to the listener just a glimpse of the grandiose songwriting style that the band would adopt in their future releases.

In conclusion Power Of The Night is an uneven album that regrettably lacks the tremendous intensity and the passion of Savatage's two prior offerings but still is able to look straight in the eyes the rest of the band's albums. A statement that surely isn't valid for their next rock bottom album Fight For The Rock. Fortunately the band's downward spiral, whose first signs are clearly highlighted here, was brief and led to the second glorious prog power metal Savatage era.



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user ratings (136)
3.3
great

Comments:Add a Comment 
ksoflas
March 2nd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Someone had to do it.

ksoflas
March 2nd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Power Of The Night was the last, but not least of course, Savatage album without a review on Sputnik.

Not anymore.

manosg
Emeritus
March 2nd 2016


12708 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

aat laaaaaaaaast



Someone had to do it and I'm glad you did.

Sabrutin
March 2nd 2016


9642 Comments


Have only jammed bits in a friend's car but I enjoyed it. The review seems spot on for this album, I think it's one of those albums that simply don't need long reviews.

Here is some criticism:

Put a space to separate the paragraphs because it will make it read smoother. Also I'd suggest to change "they strike with their second album in 1985" to " they strike with their second full length album in 1985" to avoid the confusion that would rise when reading "lacks the tremendous intensity and the passion of Savatage's two prior offerings" in the conclusions section.

Also I think you should adjust "Beside to the weak moments though, they stand firmly hymns like the self titled track, Warriors, Skull Session and Washed Out." to something like "Beside the weak moments though, hymns like the title track, Warriors, Skull Session and Washed Out firmly stand their ground".

^ gonna delete this criticism later after your response

rockandmetaljunkie
March 2nd 2016


9620 Comments


yeaaaaaah, let the greeks bring the love for Savatage :D :D :D

salut Ksoflas

ksoflas
March 2nd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Sab you don't have to delete anything, it's ok man.

ksoflas
March 2nd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Thank you my fellow countrymen for your kind words.

Savagods are the CRIMINALLY underrated band of Sputnik.

romulanrancor
March 2nd 2016


7571 Comments


too bad this album supposably isnt that good because that album cover is sick as hell

ksoflas
March 2nd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I totally agree, awesome cover.

manosg
Emeritus
March 2nd 2016


12708 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

For some reason, I never was a fan of this album's cover. Probably my second least favorite by these guys. On the other hand, I consider Gutter Ballet's cover a piece of art.

ksoflas
March 2nd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Edited, I appreciate the advice Sab.

ksoflas
March 2nd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Edge Of Thorns and From The Gutter To The Stage are my favorite Savacovers.

Almost all their albums have really great artwork.

Sabrutin
March 2nd 2016


9642 Comments


A friend had a copy of Edge of Thorns on vinyl in his store. I'm not familiar with the album but I kinda regret not buying it, it looked lovely.

ksoflas
March 2nd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

@Sab It's time for you to get familiar with the music of EOT, it's even better than the cover.

I would like to hear your opinion on that.

Sabrutin
March 2nd 2016


9642 Comments


Normally I like to go through discographies in chronological order but I often get distracted by other things. I'll put my Spotify Premium to good use and give Edge of Thorns a shot tomorrow, I'll post my first impressions.

ksoflas
March 2nd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Right on.

ScuroFantasma
Emeritus
March 2nd 2016


11971 Comments


Great review Ksoflas. Never given these guys a chance for some reason, might be time to do that.

ksoflas
March 2nd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Thanks mate. I hope you do it and tell me your impression.



Judio!
March 3rd 2016


8496 Comments


Major props for reviewing this dude, have a pos. I love these guys but still haven't gotten around to this album.

ksoflas
March 3rd 2016


1423 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Thanks a lot man, Savatage discography should be completed, as it is from yesterday.



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