[Variant]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

Uh, having seen Al many times with various bands, I think you need to revisit his work. He *can* do just about anything he wants to (he played most of the guitar on the first TSO, for example), and I think his style fits perfectly with the later era of the band, especially on "The Wake of Magellan".

Eh... have seen TSO (twice) and it works and he can be good here-and-there, he's not terrible... but I'm not about to pick up 'The Wake Of Magellan' book and learn shit like tonic-point simile, harp harmonics, alternate picking in conjunction with string skipping like I got out of 'The Ritual'. Alex was a more talented and unique player, and his fluid style appeals to me more then the flurry-of-notes, bend bend bend, flurry-of-notes that Al defaults to. That, and his warm, dry tone kills me , especially in contrast to Criss' crisp, effected sound. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a big fan of the 'Tage... but Criss > Alex > Al... IMO.

[Metal Ken]

Originally Posted by 7 Strings of Hate

not having every listend to savatage or hearing this song before, to be honost , i'm suprized alex even agreed to play with these guys, that song sucks i know theres probably alot of fans here, but alex plays much much better stuff in testament and i dont know what hes doing playing with a band like that imo

Well, its one of their power ballads. some of their heavier songs are pretty badass.


YouTube - Savatage - "Power Of The Night" 1989

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by Variant

Eh... have seen TSO (twice) and it works and he can be good here-and-there, he's not terrible... but I'm not about to pick up 'The Wake Of Magellan' book and learn shit like tonic-point simile, harp harmonics, alternate picking in conjunction with string skipping like I got out of 'The Ritual'. Alex was a more talented and unique player, and his fluid style appeals to me more then the flurry-of-notes, bend bend bend, flurry-of-notes that Al defaults to. That, and his warm, dry tone kills me , especially in contrast to Criss' crisp, effected sound. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a big fan of the 'Tage... but Criss > Alex > Al... IMO.

There's no question that Alex is a more stylistically varied player than Al is - that doesn't mean he's a better fit for what 'Tage is doing, which is my point. Alex is a better player than most everyone, so that's a given.

Having said that, there's really two Savatages - with Criss and without. The second will NEVER be as good as the first, no matter who's in it.

[Chris]

I agree with Mike, but truth be told, I think The Wake of Magellan is 'Tage's best album, and imo one of the best concept albums of all time.