Savatage’s founding singer Jon Oliva has confirmed that a live album from the band’s Gutter Ballet tour will be released soon. The announcement was shared on Facebook.
The announcement reveals details about a triple live album recorded during a memorable performance at the Palace in Los Angeles on June 29, 1990.
“The triple live album with Criss is being turned over to the record company this Monday, the 26th, and it will be coming out soon,” Oliva said. “This is live from the Palace in Los Angeles on the ‘Gutter Ballet’ tour, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best shows we ever did.”
Oliva expressed enthusiasm about the quality of the performance and the remastered recording.
“Criss and I were absolutely on fire that night — his playing was incredible, my singing was strong, and yeah… I was pretty funny too,” he continued. “We’ve remixed and mastered the entire show, and it sounds absolutely amazing. The song list is fantastic, and the energy from that night really comes through. This is truly a must-have for every real Savatage fan. I can’t wait for you all to hear it.”
The upcoming release represents a significant addition to Savatage’s catalog. It is particularly meaningful for fans who have been waiting decades to hear this complete performance.
Setlist.fm documented that the Palace show featured an extensive setlist that included classics like “City Beneath The Surface,” “White Witch,” and “Of Rage And War.” The performance built to a powerful finale with “Gutter Ballet,” “Thorazine Shuffle,” and “Devastation.” The show showcased the band at the height of their creative powers during the Gutter Ballet era.
This won’t be the first time material from this legendary concert has seen the light of day. Blabbermouth reported that three songs from the June 29, 1990 Palace performance were previously released on the 1995 tribute album “Ghost In The Ruins – A Tribute To Criss Oliva.” These tracks included “Gutter Ballet,” “When The Crowds Are Gone,” and the soundcheck instrumental “Post Script.”
The 1995 tribute album served as a memorial to guitarist Criss Oliva, who tragically died in a car accident in 1993. The inclusion of these Palace recordings on that tribute highlighted the exceptional quality of the performance and Criss Oliva’s guitar work that night.
The live album captures what Oliva considers one of Savatage’s finest performances from their Gutter Ballet tour era. It promises fans a complete document of a pivotal moment in the band’s history when both Oliva brothers were delivering career-defining performances.
