Those that knew Savatage in its infancy likely developed a deep connection with their dark hallways, walls running with electricity, and the voice of a (seeming) madman echoing down the metallic corridors. However, it was not till their main leader (and then both keyboardist and vocalist) decided a singer was needed, that freed Jon Oliva from being chained to the mic so that he may concentrate on his keyboards and compositional skills. Zak Stevens was the new voice representing Savatage, and in with this new voice, the band itself swept in a fresh sound to accomodate it. Epic and sweeping, dark and bombastic, forcefully dank or painfully bittersweet, they reached new heights, new structures and teased with concepts more grandiose and striking than before.
 
Stevens' voice was the very heart of versatility, able to crush the listener like a cornered bug or sweep them off into grand, adventurous schemes before winding it down till the barest most gentle lullaby. A soft whisper barely brushing the flowers of a meadow. Then Zak left and Savatage reverted back to their old ways, something that was woeful for those who saw Stevens now as integral part of the Sava-ship, but a rejoicing for the rest, who thought Oliva should have been their voice all along during those "wasted" years.

But alas, even when Savatage laid dormant, there have been solo releases to keep us satiated in the downtime. Stevens joined Circle II Circle and has been pumping out one album of dominate metallic bliss after another. If you have heard any of Zak's Sava material then you know what CIIC fairly sounds like.
Bold vocals that sweep the songs off their set paths, electric guitars that sizzle and shine, pulling off an array of darkened rhythms with a slight touch of bombast, and a rock solid rhythm section that holds it all together.
 
"Delusions of Grandeur" is perhaps their most ambitious piece, and considering their past three releases, it is their most cohesive disc yet. The songs flow out in a pleasant metallic churning of the tides, biting and nipping like piranhas at your heels and then letting the typhoon completely swallow you in its razor sharp waves, and oceanblack depths that smother hope and drown you in despair. It's rather emotional, and not in the weepy-emo way or the heart squeezing manner of AOR. This is metal, and it has an edge, a finely honed one that cuts and makes you bleed where you least expect it.

"Burden of Truth" was the disc that finally put Circle II Circle a few paces apart from Savatage, and here they are getting faster, more precise and barrelling forward toward the future. The first three songs are pure heavy metal, blistering without apologizes. "Fatal Warning" is like a warning kick to the skull. Fast clipping, alluringly harsh in its downtuned guitars and marrying this with Zak's melodic vocals. "Dead of Dawn" relies on a fantastic chorus line and slows the pacing down just enough to let you breathe. "Forever" is laced with piano and a groove rich warmth that makes it feel more organic and even Sava-like.
 
"Echoes" and "Every Last Thing" are also along the lines of his older band, "Echoes" with its piano intro brushes "Edge of Thorns" just enough to prick a little for some pleasant familiar bleeding and the latter has the progressive stylings and speed changes to make it an interesting bit to end the disc on. Soaring harmonies and lush key tickling make it one of the finer points of the disc and allows Stevens to really cut loose on the vocal lines. It elegantly climbs the ladder from the low rungs of soft pianos to an anthemic feel that just simply delivers in all respects. Circle's finest hour no doubt. "Chase the Lies" throwbacks to that first Circle II Circle album and comes across as nice and heavy but filled with a ton of nuances to keep you riveted. "Soul Breaker" speeds along and doesn't slack off where guitars and vocal power prowess is concerned. Perhaps not a pop-out track, but one that is decent enough indeed.

All in all Circle II Circle is an excuse to relive Steven's Savatage days, in the way of new material instead of endlessly retreading the old. He was obviously greatly influenced by his time with the band, and it shows through in his writing style and vocalization. For fans of heavier metal it is a glorious thing to hear, this gorgeous, versatile voice giving life to audible imagery once again. All draped and wrapped in those heavy ornate curtains of old, it's not perfect but the new threads of inspiration combined with the classic ways of Savatage make for a familiar and wholly likeable experience. Perhaps its nothing new under the sun, but it is still a pleasure to hear Circle II Circle beat some of the cobwebs out of their music and get their feet firmly beneath them for this latest release.

Written by Alanna
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
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Ratings

Alanna: 7.5/10

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