SAVATAGE ‘Hall Of The Mountain King’ – Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day
SAVATAGE – I once owned Hall Of The Mountain King on vinyl. Years later, the vinyl is gone and I have it on CD. Yes, I prefer the vinyl. That’s besides the Metal point though, for Hall Of The Mountain King is such a classic of Metal classics, listening to it on a hissing cassette would still likely be okay by me.
When this album was released back in 1987, I was introduced to the title track first on MTV’s Headbangers Ball. The music video for this song was pretty cool, epic and entertaining, not the run-of-the-mill Heavy Metal video of the time. I found the title track to be undeniably progressive, compared to the Metal that Savatage was known for. This title track grew on me quickly and I ran out and bought the album… I was psyched.
From the artwork of Gary Smith to ALL ten songs, Hall Of The Mountain King had me hooked. I’ll say it again: a classic of classics. I’ll go as far by stating this album is a “top ten favorite of mine for all time” too. The more I listen to Hall Of The Mountain King, the more I love it. Picking a favorite song on this album is not easy for me. Strange Wings and The Price You Pay are two that get “repeat play” more often by me though.
Check out the classic – Hall Of The Mountain King music video below! Whoa!
The vocals of Jon Oliva on these songs are stuff of Metal legend. This amazing vocalist/musician never had to croon, continuously hit eye-popping high notes or try to sound like anyone else to be etched in my Metal senses so solidly. This is Jon Oliva and I swear he is one of the most underrated vocalists of all time, spanning any Rock or Metal genre. Speaking of the band itself: world-class musicians. Period.
The production of Paul O’Neill is superb and he brought in his vision for a future Savatage, one that none of us would have ever expected in our wildest Metal dreams. I remember the first time I listened to Prelude To Madness and I was awestruck. I thought, what is Savatage doing? This is Electric Light Orchestra gone Heavy Metal! It only made me more psyched out of my Metal mind, in part by being a huge fan of Electric Light Orchestra.
The overall sound, feel and vibe of Hall Of The Mountain King could never be duplicated, in my Metal opinion. If I had to recommend a Savatage album to someone unfamiliar with this band’s legacy, Hall Of The Mountain King would be it. My “Metal Pick Of The Day” or any day for that matter. Metal be thy name.
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Hall Of The Mountain King – Track Listing:
24 Hrs. Ago
Beyond The Doors Of The Dark
Legions
Strange Wings
Prelude To Madness
Hall Of The Mountain King
The Price You Pay
White Witch
Last Dawn
Devastation
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* Wanna read about Jon Oliva’s Pain upcoming concert, where they’ll be playing Hall Of The Mountain King live and in all of its Metal glory? Then click that big link below!
JON OLIVA’S PAIN – To Perform & Celebrate SAVATAGE Classic: ‘Hall Of The Mountain King’
LONG LIVE THE METAL LEGACY OF SAVATAGE.
Rest In Peace, Criss Oliva.
Stone.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
April 6, 2012 at 12:22 pm
I bought this CD a few years ago and found that the only song that still gets me is Hall of the Mountain King. I still love listening to it even after all these years. In fact I was listening to it a few days ago.
Nice post – thanks for the memories of Headbanger’s Ball.
April 6, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Yes! The “old school” Headbangers Ball followed by beavis and butt-head was party time! Bring out the beers, kick back and let the Metal roar! Then the laughs from beavis and butt-head were good times for me. The simple things in a Metalhead’s life, I suppose! \m/\m/
April 7, 2012 at 7:00 am
Savatage have always been and always will be an awesome band. I’m still surprised that they never had more success than they did. Thanks for sharing this piece of metal history.
April 7, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Savatage was such a remarkable U.S. Metal band. They were terrific live… I was lucky enough to see them on tour supporting this album.
Savatage morphing into Trans Siberian Orchestra still amazes me to this day. You and I both know… Metal history should be a high school and college requirement nowadays! LOL! 🙂
April 7, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Savatage were from Tampa Bay,Florida…my hometown.
Most everyone on the “Hall Of The Mountain King” thank you list were well-known in the Tampa area in the ’80s.
I worked at a gas station when I was a high school student in Florida…and one day Criss Oliva filled up his Ferrari at my gas station while I was working!
The artist Gary Smith was also a minor celebrity in Tampa back then…
Anyways, “Hall Of The Mountain King” is a masterpiece!
April 7, 2012 at 11:45 pm
Seeing Criss Oliva “fill-up” his Ferrari where you once worked… now that’s a Metal memory that money can’t buy.
I so agree with your using the word “masterpiece” to describe this Savatage album. \m/\m/