Very few bands have ever tasted the adversity that Savatage has. Nor have many stuck by their guns through the shifting tides of the music industry the way these Floridians have. They've endured line-up changes, label problems and, most crushing of all, the tragic loss of their guitarist Criss Oliva, a virtuoso whose talent ranked up there with Michael Schenker and Randy Rhodes.

The band is going stronger than ever in 2002, but perhaps the most defining moment of their career came in 1989 with the release of "Gutter Ballet". That record saw Savatage at the peak of their form. The group always treaded a fine line between doom-laden heavy metal and atmospheric, melodic rock, bouncing from crushing Sabbath-like dirges to AOR inspired harmonies. Not exactly pop, they embraced the more melodic side of metal. Sometimes they veered to the heavy side (the excellent "Hall of the Mountain King") and sometimes to the poppy side (the horrible "Fight for the Rock"). On "Gutter Ballet", they found a harmonious blend of both.

This is the archetypal Savatage album, featuring Criss at his searing best. His brother Jon also excelled here but be warned, his unique raspy, screamy vocals are very much an acquired taste. There's good back-up from the rest of the band and the production of Paul O'Neill gave the record almost a soundtrack-like feel - huge, rich and lush.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2002 Year Book Volume 2 at  garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2001-and-2002.