14. "Devastation (Live at the Cleveland Agora, October 15, 1987)"
15. "Stare into the sun (Acoustic Version)"
Description:
The tribute album to Criss Oliva
Limited heavyweight 2LP edition on marbled orange/black vinyl
â??Ghost In The Ruinsâ? (1995) was not released in grief, but to honour Crissâ?? legacy and celebrate some of the magical moments that he, his brother Jon Oliva, Johnny Lee Middleton, Chris Caffery and Steve Wacholz delivered on stage. Singling out one song or another doesnâ??t do them justice â?? here, theyâ??re all highlights.
The live album was mastered for vinyl in 2023 and includes three bonus tracks form the 1987 Cleveland show â?? â??Devastationâ??, â??Beyond The Doors Of The Darkâ?? & â??Unusualâ??. Itâ??s being reissued with the original cover design, enhanced artwork including a 12-page LP booklet and brand-new liner notes by Clay Marshall who recently interviewed Jon Oliva, Johnny Lee Middleton, Chris Caffery and Steve Wacholz for this vinyl reissue.
â??I think deep down inside, it bothered him that he wasnâ??t getting the recognition that a lot of people think he deserved, but he would just go, â??Whatever. Iâ??ll have my day.â?? But he was great, man â?? a one-of-a-kind guitar player. I wonder what he would be like now.â? (Jon Oliva) -
Digitally remastered and expanded edition. Originally released in 1995, Ghost in the Ruins, the second live album from the band, is a tribute album to Criss Oliva including live recordings from 1987 until 1990. Ghost in the Ruins is a fitting tribute to Criss, his playing on this album is unreal. For those who never had the chance to see Criss live, this album is a fitting tribute to his talents. Ear Music.
"Ghost In The Ruins (2011 Edition)" on CD captures Savatage in their natural habitat: live on stage, powerful, emotional and technically stunning. This edition presents a carefully remastered version of the classic live album, delivering a dynamic and detailed sound that lets the twin guitars, the dramatic vocals and the intricate arrangements unfold with impressive clarity. From fast-paced, riff-driven tracks to dark, epic pieces full of atmosphere, the CD offers a broad overview of Savatage's unique blend of heavy metal, progressive structures and theatrical flair, making it both an ideal introduction for new listeners and an essential collector's item for long-time fans. The track selection reflects different creative phases of the band and shows how confidently they move between aggressive, driving songs and melancholic, melodic passages, always united by strong songwriting and memorable hooks. Packaged in a solid CD format with clear track listing and band credits, this 2011 edition focuses entirely on the music and the live feeling, without unnecessary extras that could distract from the intensity of the performance.
Savatage, founded in the late 1970s in Florida, established themselves as one of the most distinctive bands of the US metal scene. Over the years they evolved from classic heavy metal toward an ambitious, progressive and often concept-driven style that influenced countless bands. Albums like "Hall of the Mountain King" and "Gutter Ballet" are regarded as milestones of melodic and theatrical metal, while the rock opera "Streets: A Rock Opera" underlined their talent for dramatic storytelling. Savatage are also closely linked to the later success of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, with which several band members achieved worldwide recognition. Their combination of powerful riffs, sophisticated arrangements and emotional, often melancholic melodies has earned them a dedicated international fan base that continues to value their studio work as well as their intense live performances.
The CD is released by Edel Recor, a label that has established itself in Europe particularly through the distribution and marketing of rock and metal releases as well as selected catalogue titles. Edel is known for treating established artists and classic recordings with care, often placing emphasis on high-quality sound, coherent artwork and solid physical releases. With this 2011 edition of "Ghost In The Ruins", the label underlines its commitment to giving important albums from the metal and rock history a contemporary, audiophile presentation and to keeping them available for collectors and new generations of listeners.