Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The band was first called Avatar, but, shortly before the release of their debut album Sirens (1983),they changed their name to Savatage, as Avatar was already taken by at least one other band. Savatage is considered to be an integral part of the American heavy metal movement of the early-to-mid-1980s and has been cited as a key influence on numerous metal genres. The band has released eleven studio albums, two live albums, five compilations and three EPs.

• The Early Years (1979–1986): Originally named Avatar, the group changed their name to Savatage right before releasing their 1983 debut album, Sirens. Their early style delivered heavy, aggressive guitar riffs paired with Jon Oliva’s signature piercing vocal wails
• The Creative Peak (1987–1993): Partnering with producer and lyricist Paul O’Neill, the band unlocked their definitive sound. Masterpieces like Hall of the Mountain King (1987) and Gutter Ballet (1989) seamlessly blended heavy metal with classical orchestrations and piano balladry. They pushed boundaries further with Streets: A Rock Opera in 1991
• Tragedy and Renaissance (1993–2002): In October 1993, shortly after releasing Edge of Thorns, virtuoso guitarist Criss Oliva was tragically killed in a car accident. Jon Oliva chose to continue the band in his brother’s memory. Recruiting singer Zak Stevens, they shifted deeper into symphonic metal storytelling with albums like Dead Winter Dead (1995) and The Wake of Magellan (1998)

After an extended hiatus that began in 2002, Savatage has officially re-entered the spotlight.

The Return to Touring: The band officially broke their live-performance silence with a headline comeback tour across Europe. Their current active lineup features veteran members Zak Stevens, Chris Caffery, Al Pitrelli, Johnny Lee Middleton, and Jeff Plate.

New Studio Album: The band is actively working on Curtain Call, which is slated to be their first official studio album in over two decades