Warthur It's probably fair to say that Savatage hadn't quite developed the sound they are known for - power metal with progressive sensibilities - at the time they recorded their debut album. This and the Dungeons Are Calling EP were recorded in the same sessions, the band having been given an opportunity to get a few precious days of studio time in and deciding to get as much material on tape as they could without half-assing things to an unacceptable extent.

What you get here is fairly straightforward trad metal, with some notes of the fantastical and perhaps a pinch of NWOBHM influence to add spice. It's... fine. Really, it's not bad. The problem is that it rarely if ever rises above that standard; if you've heard much traditional heavy metal, you've heard a lot of stuff that sounds like this, and can probably name a dozen albums which give you more pleasure than this one at that - some of those may even be by Savatage.

In short, this is comprehensively OK-to-good, but there's little sign of what Savatage would become given time.

The Crow Savatage's debut album will not appeal the prog or symphonic metal lovers, but is still a very enjoyable NWOBHM album.

In addition, some of the band's most recognizable virtues are yet present, like the crystal clear Criss Oliva's solos, Jon Oliva's piercing vocals and an overwhelming ability to create catchy riffs, a clear heritage of the brother's admiration for the early Black Sabbath. Maybe the in the text of the title track we can guess the love of this band for fantastic and bombastic themes, but it's really impossible to imagine that this band is the same that after a few years would make masterpieces like "Gutter Ballet " or "Streets".

Sirens starts with a strong riff and catchy vocals, while Holocaust shows the fiercest side of the band, both lyrically and musically. The good level of the compositions is maintained in the splendid I Believe and the powerful Rage, where the drums of Steve "Doc" Wacholz gain protagonism. On the Run, Twisted Little Sister, Living for the Night and Scream Murder are not so good, but nevertheless very listenable, while Out on the Streets flirts with AOR, with a moderate success.

Conclusion: Sirens is not an album for late Savatage fans, because it lacks the complexity and diversity of the grandiloquent rock operas of the 90's. Nevertheless, if you like the New Wave of British Heavy Metal of bands like Judas Priest of Saxon, you should give this record a chance. The Oliva brothers were able to show their ability on vocals and guitars, and of course, the title track is a little classic of the 80's today, while the rest of the album is also pretty good.

I miss you, guys! I still hope that Savatage will come back with full force someday... Call me a dreamer.

Best tracks: Sirens, Holocaust, I Believe.

My rating: ***

UMUR "Sirens" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Florida based power/heavy metal act Savatage. The album was released through Par Records Inc. in April 1983. "Sirens" has seen several reissues through the years and from 1985 onwards also featured a different cover artwork to the original one with the blue ship on the front. Savatage was formed in 1979 under the Avatar monicker (they also occasionally went by the Metropolis monicker). After releasing a demo and an EP under the Avatar name they changed their name to Savatage in 1983 and recorded a demo before being signed for the release of "Sirens".

Stylistically the music on "Sirens" is traditional heavy metal with early signs of US power metal. The 9 tracks on the 35:57 minutes long album are all powerful heavy rockers (except closer "Out On The Streets" which is a power ballad type track) with pounding drums and bass, raw guitar riffing and blistering solos, and Jon Oliva´s rusty powerful voice in front. Savatage are a very well playing band. The rhythm section of drummer Steve Wacholz and bassist Keith Collins deliver a tight and hard rocking performance, while the Oliva brothers provide the icing for the cake. Jon Oliva has a powerful and distinct sounding voice and his delivery is commanding. It´s little brother Criss Oliva who is the true star here though. Sometimes you come across music where it´s clear that you´re dealing with a musician that´s more than normally gifted, and that´s certainly the case here. There´s something about his touch and the way his tones have bite that tell the story of someone who was born with a guitar in his hand.

The material on the album is generally well written, powerful, and catchy. It doesn´t take many listens before you´re able to remember every track on the album. Although there are no weak links on the album and everything is of a good quality I´d mention "Holocaust" as a highlight. The main riff is simply killer (I´m reminded of a harder edged early Van Halen) and with the touch of Criss Oliva it reaches an even higher level of perfection. Considering the time of release "Sirens" features a well sounding production, which is both raw and powerful sounding, but also detailed and clear enough for all instruments and vocals to stand out in the mix.

So upon conclusion "Sirens" is a very promising debut album by Savatage. The songwriting may still be slightly immature (especially compared to what would follow), but there is a raw charm to the proceedings that´s greatly enjoyable and overall it´s a high quality release. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

martindavey87 Before they became comfortable releasing rock operas full of theatrics and orchestrations, Savatage were a straightforward heavy metal band, who's debut album 'Sirens' caused a small buzz when it was released in 1983, but has since been lost in time, swept under the rug of the then-rising thrash metal scene.

'Sirens' may not be as epic, complex or majestic as the bands later material, but it's raw and gritty sound perfectly encapsulates the energy of the bands performances. Song's like 'Scream Murder', 'Holocaust', 'I Believe' and the title track are all fantastic examples of early 80's metal, and it's an absolute tragedy that this album has become not much more than a hidden gem in the metal landscape.

The music, sound, and overall vibe of this album is very reminiscent of Randy Rhodes-era Ozzy Osbourne, with the production and songwriting just oozing everything 80's. Jon Oliva's shrill vocals along with brother Criss Oliva's guitar virtuosity puts them both miles ahead of all the young players coming out of the thrash scene of the time. What this albums lacks in aggressiveness and attitude, it more than compensates for with melody and enthusiasm.

'Sirens' is nothing groundbreaking or unique, it's just a straight-up metal album which spawned the careers of one of the genres most beloved cult bands, and should be in the collection of every metal fan.