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[Metallus Maximus]

Metallus Maximus � Maximus Archivus � Classic Album Of The Day Archive (Moderator: Hellboy)
Classic Pick of the Day 10/18/08: SAVATAGE - Hall Of The Mountain King

[Hellboy]

Released on September 28th, 1987

01 - 24 Hrs. Ago
02 - Beyond The Doors Of The Dark
03 - Legions
04 - Strange Wings
05 - Prelude To Madness
06 - Hall Of The mountain King
07 - The Price You Pay
08 - White Witch
09 - Last Dawn
10 - Devastation

This was Savatage 5th release and somewhat of a comeback to their heavier style, quite a surprising move after the commercial and watered down Fight For The Rock, which saw the band tried ( and miserably failed ) to be radio friendly. HOTMK saw Criss Oliva's playing reach it's pinnacle, a perfect balance between memorable riffs, tasteful shredding and a sense of melody above most of his peers. We also get Jon Oliva's most compelling and over the top vocal performance that earned him his "Mountain King" monicker. The whole album is amazing from start to finish and I do get shivers running down my spine every time I listen to the title track. The haunting production pushes the album to an even higher plateau. This is the work of geniuses my friends, and a true timeless metal classic in every sense of the word!

Rest In Peace Criss

[Venom]

one of my favorite albums of all time and for sure my favorite Savatage album. Saw them tour for this album, opening for Megadeth and DIO. 

[Fatal if swallowed]

I ignored this band back in the day for some reason, didn't listen to them until six or seven years ago and this is the only album of theirs I've heard. Great stuff.

 :m:

[anti nowhere punk]

Not a big fan of this band at all apart from odd tracks, only albums I own are gutter ballet and the best of, and thats enough 

[zekeyou]

Something about this album-- I'm not sure what it is-- is very hit and miss with me.  Granted, the title track is one of those universal metal anthems/chants/calling cards, so for that song alone I greatly appreciate this album.

Gonna spin the entire thing today and try and get reacquainted with it....

[Klschmann]

Fantastic album before Sava went all totally grandiose.  Love it from start to finish.

I just wish the guitars sounded less muffled.  Everything else rules.

[Venom]

06 - Hall Of The mountain King
their best song PERIOD!!!!!!!!

[Metal_King]

I play 24 Hrs. Ago and HotMK between face offs at my son's hockey home games. 

[moshdrum69]

06 - Hall Of The mountain King
their best song PERIOD!!!!!!!!

I agree,,,,,

[Venom]

I play 24 Hrs. Ago and HotMK between face offs at my son's hockey home games. 

good man!!

[Venom]

06 - Hall Of The mountain King
their best song PERIOD!!!!!!!!

I agree,,,,,

What!!! Stop the presses!!  Mosh and I agree on something!! I think I just fainted!!

[Metal_King]

What!!! Stop the presses!!  Mosh and I agree on something!! I think I just fainted!!

 

[Venom]

What!!! Stop the presses!!  Mosh and I agree on something!! I think I just fainted!!

 

it is occurring less and less these days!!

[The True Fortress]

Killer. Record.

[mak28]

I still remember the day i purchased this.  I had a ton of school work to do (I was in high school at the time working on art projects) and threw it on.  After a couple of songs I had already numerous "Holy crap!" moments and found myself going back and playing songs over and over again that evening.  This whole album is fantastic and is unique in it's power and epic nature.  Such a dark album and one that's just about as intense as traditional metal ever gets.  Everything here is killer with the title track standing above all else.  That said Beyond the Doors of The Dark is total a monster, The Price You Pay is a classic anthem and Legions and Devastation round out an album full of stomping, ripping riffs and solos.  Strange Wings should have been a big hit for this band.  It was perfect for rock radio back then.  I wonder if after Fight For The Rock the band and the label were opposed to throwing that tune out there right away since they wanted to distance themselves from FFTR?