Edge of Thorns

Infobox Album |
Name = Edge of Thorns
Type = Album
Artist = Savatage


Released = April 6, 1993
Recorded =
Genre = Progressive metal
Length = 59:54
Label = Atlantic Records
Producer = Paul O'Neill Jon Oliva Criss Oliva
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:quazqjmyoj0a~T00 link]
*Toph Morris "Excellent" [http://www.savatage.com/bandinfo/albums/edgeofthorns/review.html link]
Last album = ""'
(1991)
This album = Edge of Thorns
(1993)
Next album = "Handful of Rain"
(1994)
Misc = singles
Name = Edge of Thorns
Type = studio
single 1 = Edge of Thorns
single 1 date = 1993
single 2 = Sleep
single 2 date = 1993

"Edge of Thorns" is an album by Savatage, released in 1993 on Atlantic Records. It was the last album to contain the talents of the late guitarist Criss Oliva. It is also the first Savatage album to feature Zachary Stevens on Lead Vocals, following the departure of Jon Oliva from the fore of the band.

The drums on this album sound different from other Savatage records as on this album Steve decided to use electronic drums. Although most of the drum kits sounds authentic, you can hear the difference in the toms.cite web
url = http://www.savatage.com/bandinfo/faq2.html
title = Savatage FAQ
publisher = Savatage.com
accessdate = 2007-02-08]

The woman in the picture of the album art is Dawn Oliva, Criss Oliva's wife. Gary Smith, who also did the front and back covers for Hall Of The Mountain King, the front cover for Gutter Ballet, the back cover for , and all of Criss Oliva's airbrushed guitars, painted the cover. The face in the trees is supposed to be Jon Oliva, though producer Paul O'Neill disputes that despite its publication in a Criss Oliva interview from 1993. The cover is supposed to represent good (the woman) vs. evil (the face in the trees). According to Criss Oliva in a 1993 interview, "The girl is surrounded by fear and innocence. But the face in the trees is evil. Everything around her is evil. It's about good and evil. The songs on the CD reflect this, too."

Track listing

#"Edge of Thorns" - 5:54
#"He Carves His Stone" - 4:14
#"Lights Out" - 3:10
#"Skraggy's Tomb" - 4:22
#"Labyrinths" - 1:29
#"Follow Me" - 5:08
#"Exit Music" - 3:05
#"Degrees Of Sanity" - 4:36
#"Conversation Piece" - 4:10
#"All That I Bleed" - 4:41
#"Damien" - 3:53
#"Miles Away" - 5:06
#"Sleep" - 3:52
#"Forever After" - 4:20 "(Japanese Bonus Track)"
#"Shotgun Innocence" - 3:30 "(Japanese Bonus Track)"

1997 Edel Re-Release Tracks

14. "Believe" (acoustic version) - 3:52

2002 SPV Re-Release Tracks

14. "Forever After" - 4:18
15. "Conversation Piece" (Live In Rehearsal 9/24/94) - 4:19

* All songs written by Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill, Criss Oliva

Personnel

Band members

*Zachary Stevens – lead vocals
*Criss Oliva – guitars
*Johnny Lee Middleton – bass guitar
*Steve Wacholz – drums "(electronic drums, studio only)"

Additional musicians

*Jon Oliva – Piano, Keyboards "(studio only)", drums on tracks "He Carves His Stone" and "Degrees Of Sanity"
*Andy James - drums "(touring member only)"
*Wes Garren - rhythm guitar and keys - "(touring member only)"

References