SAVATAGE & OPETH Espaço Unimed – São Paulo, Brazil

Savatage is a heavy metal band formed in 1979 in Tarpon Springs, Florida, United States. Originally called "Avatar," the band changed its name to "Savatage" in 1983 after discovering that there was already a band named "Avatar" in Europe. The group is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of progressive metal and symphonic metal, as well as one of the most influential bands in the 1980s and 1990s metal scene. Throughout their career, the band went through several lineup changes, but always maintained a focus on complex compositions, deep lyrics, and a musical style that blends traditional metal elements with more experimental and progressive passages.

The band's original lineup featured brothers Jon (vocals) and Criss Oliva (guitar), along with bassist Keith Collins and drummer Steve "Doc" Wacholz. Savatage's early style was heavily influenced by traditional heavy metal and hard rock, with an emphasis on powerful riffs and catchy melodies. However, the group began to distinguish itself with the use of progressive elements and more elaborate song structures. The band made its debut in the market with Sirens in 1983, which already showcased the band's potential for creating songs with dense, dark atmospheres. This album also introduced Jon Oliva's unique vocal style, which would become a defining feature of the band.

The 1980s were a decisive period for Savatage, as the band began to gain recognition in the metal scenes of the United States and Europe. The album Power of the Night (1985) consolidated the band in the market, being one of the first to show a more mature and complex sound, in addition to a theatrical touch that would become even more evident in future works. However, it was with Hall of the Mountain King (1987) that Savatage reached cult status, with its mix of traditional heavy metal and progressive elements, as well as a standout production. The title track of this album is considered a classic of 1980s metal.

During this period, Savatage began experimenting with the addition of orchestral and choral elements in their songs, something that would be explored more deeply in later albums. Gutter Ballet (1989) marked a turning point for the band, as it brought the influence of progressive rock and symphonic metal to the forefront, incorporating a full orchestra and more sophisticated arrangements. This album also marked a shift in the band's career, with the inclusion of keyboardist Alex Skolnick, who helped expand the band's sound and creative approach.

The early 1990s were a time of great transformation for Savatage. The band continued its journey of musical experimentation and released critically acclaimed albums such as Streets: A Rock Opera (1991), a conceptual album that told an engaging and complex story, using not only metal but also influences from classical music, opera, and progressive rock. The album was one of the first to showcase what would become the band's most distinctive feature: their ability to tell deep, emotional stories, engaging listeners in epic narratives.

The band also continued to experiment with more bold themes and musical approaches. Dead Winter Dead (1995) was another example of their ability to blend metal with a theatrical and cinematic narrative, telling a story about the civil war in Bosnia. This album was also significant for featuring the famous track "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)," which became one of the band's biggest hits and a holiday classic, both in instrumental versions and in covers by other bands.

Savatage's lineup also underwent significant changes over the years. The tragic death of Criss Oliva in 1993, following a car accident, left a huge void in the band. However, the group continued recording and touring with the addition of new members. Guitarist Al Pitrelli, who had also played with Megadeth, joined Savatage and brought a fresh energy to the band. Criss Oliva's death also led to the formation of the side project Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), formed by the remaining members of Savatage, Jon Oliva, Paul O’Neill, and others. TSO became a rock phenomenon, especially during the holiday season, due to its fusion of classical music and rock.

Despite personal tragedies, Savatage continued its career, releasing albums such as The Wake of Magellan (1997), which once again blended their progressive and symphonic influences, and Poets and Madmen (2001), which brought a more straightforward sound focused on traditional heavy metal. Over the years, the band distanced itself from the live scene, with Jon Oliva focusing on his solo career and Al Pitrelli and other members dedicating themselves to Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The band's final tour took place in 2002 when they announced an indefinite hiatus. Since then, the members have been involved in other musical projects, with Jon Oliva continuing his solo career.

Savatage's legacy lives on today, with their music influencing metal and rock bands around the world. The band's ability to blend metal melodies with epic and orchestral themes, along with their introspective and emotional lyrics, ensured their place in metal history. While the band has stepped away from the active scene, the impact of Savatage continues to be felt, and their albums remain widely listened to and admired by both old and new fans.

Opeth is a Swedish band formed in 1990 in Stockholm, widely considered one of the most important bands in progressive metal, with a career spanning several decades and distinct musical styles. Over time, the band gained recognition for its ability to blend heavy metal with influences from progressive rock, death metal, jazz, folk, and even classical music, creating a unique sound that pushed the boundaries of the genre. The band's original lineup featured Mikael Åkerfeldt (vocals and guitar), one of the founding members and the main composer throughout the years. The band has gone through several lineup changes, but Åkerfeldt has always remained the creative core, guiding the band through its musical evolution.

The band's early phase was marked by a death metal melodic style that explored dark atmospheres and introspective lyrics. Their debut album, Orchid (1995), presented a raw and heavy sound, with long compositions, death metal brutality, and moments of melodic calm. Although the production was modest, this album showcased the band’s potential to create complex and atmospheric music. The band's approach was more focused on extreme metal but with an atmospheric touch that distinguished Opeth from other bands in the genre.

The second album, Morningrise (1996), further deepened this progressive sound with long songs blending heavy metal with acoustic moments. With this album, Opeth began to establish its unique identity within the metal scene, incorporating melodic elements and a progressive structure that would become their trademark. Songs like "Black Rose Immortal" demonstrated the band's impressive ability to craft unconventional songs with abrupt mood changes and dynamics, blending heavy metal with acoustic passages and ethereal atmospheres.

It was with My Arms, Your Hearse (1998) that Opeth began to attract more critical and public attention. This album marked a transition in their sound, further incorporating progressive rock, which would become a defining feature of the band in later works. The album also brought a new approach to the lyrics, which started to explore more philosophical and existential themes, becoming darker and more introspective. My Arms, Your Hearse features songs like "April Ethereal" and "Demon of the Fall," which became classics and exemplify the band's ability to craft complex music with time and intensity changes.

The following album, Still Life (1999), solidified Opeth's position as one of the leading progressive metal bands. The production of this album was more refined, and the band's sound began to move further away from traditional death metal, embracing progressive rock from the 70s, with influences from bands like King Crimson and Yes. Still Life is considered one of the band's most representative albums, with songs like "The Moor" and "Godhead’s Lament" standing out for their sophisticated composition, complex harmonies, and dynamic changes characteristic of progressive rock.

With the release of Blackwater Park (2001), Opeth reached a new level of popularity and international recognition. The album was produced by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, and it is widely regarded as one of the best progressive metal albums of all time. Blackwater Park represents the ultimate fusion between heavy metal and progressive rock, with songs like "The Leper Affinity," "Bleak," and the epic title track, combining brutal death metal passages with acoustic and melodic moments. The album is a masterpiece of the genre, and its impeccable production and the band’s ability to shift between different styles within a single song earned it a prominent place in the global metal scene.

In the following years, Opeth continued to evolve with releases like Deliverance (2002) and Damnation (2003). Deliverance brought a heavier sound, with long progressive metal and death metal tracks, while Damnation marked a complete turn to a softer, more melodic sound, with little to no presence of death metal. The contrast between these two albums, released in the same year, was remarkable and reflected the band’s musical flexibility. Damnation was particularly well-received for its more tranquil and introspective approach, drawing influences from progressive and psychedelic rock from the 70s.

The album Ghost Reveries (2005) represented another evolution in the band's sound, incorporating elements of symphonic metal and even folk music in some tracks. Once again, Steven Wilson was behind the production, and the album is marked by its musical complexity and the band’s ability to create dense, emotional atmospheres. Songs like "Ghost of Perdition" and "The Grand Conjuration" showcase the band's skill in blending metal aggression with the subtleties of progressive rock. With Ghost Reveries, Opeth gained wider mainstream acceptance while still maintaining a loyal fan base within the metal scene.

In 2008, Opeth released Watershed, another critically acclaimed album. This album marked a transition to a cleaner sound, with less emphasis on death metal and more on progressive rock and metal. The band began to explore more keyboard-driven atmospheres and more complex structures, especially with the inclusion of keyboardist Per Wiberg, who joined before the album's release. Watershed features tracks like "Heir Apparent" and "The Lotus Eater," which demonstrate the band's growing sophistication in their compositions and arrangements.

With the release of Heritage (2011), Opeth made a more radical shift in their sound, almost completely abandoning death metal elements and focusing on a sound more in line with 70s progressive rock. The decision to leave behind the death metal passages was seen as a bold move, but the band maintained its musical identity through its ability to create dense and emotional atmospheres, combined with a strong melodic foundation. Heritage drew influences from bands like Genesis and Jethro Tull, exploring a more experimental and jazzy sound, with songs like "The Devil’s Orchard" and "Folklore" marking a new phase in the band’s career.

Opeth's evolution continued with albums like Pale Communion (2014) and Sorceress (2016), which continued to explore new sonic directions within progressive rock, while still retaining the experimental and complex character that defined the band from the start. Pale Communion was particularly notable for its retro atmosphere, inspired by 70s psychedelic and progressive rock, while Sorceress offered a more refined yet still experimental sound, with elements of jazz and classical music.

Opeth is a band that has always sought to innovate and reinvent itself, challenging the expectations and boundaries of both metal and progressive rock. Throughout their discography, the band has taken listeners on a sonic journey from melodic death metal to sophisticated progressive rock, incorporating various influences and experiments along the way. Mikael Åkerfeldt and his bandmates have created a unique sound that continues to attract fans from various musical backgrounds, maintaining a strong and authentic identity throughout their albums.

Event Name: SAVATAGE & OPETH

When does it happens?: 21/04/2025 ~ 21/04/2025

Where does it take place?: Espaço Unimed – São Paulo, Brazil