Review SAVATAGE “Madness Reigns From the Gutter”

Without a doubt, Savatage is one of the greatest heavy metal bands, and earMUSIC has reissued this legendary band’s albums. The series continues with a live album that takes us back to 1990. This was a time when Savatage were heading towards the peak of their career. Their fourth album, “Hall of the Mountain King”, was their big breakthrough, and the follow-up, “Gutter Ballet”, released in 1990, cemented their position in the genre.

As part of the “Gutter Ballet” tour, the band played a show at The Palace in Los Angeles, California, which was recorded. A bootleg titled “Hollywood Babylon” first saw the light of day in 2019, but now it is time for an official release. Taken from the original master tapes and fully remixed and remastered, “Madness Reigns from the Gutter” showcases a band that had a tremendous influence on heavy metal. The sound is authentic and powerful, making listening to the album a delight.

Jon and Chris Oliva, Chris Caffery, Johnny Lee Middleton and Steve Wacholz were the iconic line-up at the time, and the “Gutter Ballet” album contributed eight songs to this set. Six songs from “Hall of the Mountain King” are also included, with the title track being one of Savatage’s all-time anthems. And not to forget the best of the first three albums.

“Madness Reigns from the Gutter” is an impressive live recording, showcasing one of the greatest heavy metal bands at their best. It’s a superb trip down memory lane, featuring timeless classic songs. This album is a must-have for any serious collection.