Well, as most of you know Jon Oliva's Pain/Savatage/TSO are frequently discussed on this forum. As a matter of fact, Jon Oliva can even creep his way into threads that have nothing to do...well, with him! 
With that said, there's not been a thread discussing his latest endeavor, Festival.
I've been listening to Festival all weekend in attempt to let it soak in. I'm not quite sure if it has, but I'm confident with enough listens it will. I'm not going to post a long drawn out review. If you want something like that, then head over to the Jon Oliva's Pain Forum! There's some people on there that's put forth some WORK to post intelligent reviews.
Honestly, Jon has somehow figured out a way to release something that really doesn't sound like any of his previous efforts. Of course it has elements of his signature sound, but it seems the whole effort was approached a little differently. The biggest thing that I've noticed is the sound effects and "trinkets" that have been added throughout Festival. Some of the effects sound like something out of a later Fates Warning release to my ears! In addition, Matt LePorte has some tasty riffs throughout the release that stands out above the previous JOP releases. He's truly become a leading six string slinger over the course of playing in JOP.
That are some of my thoughts on Festival, so what are yours?
Disclaimer...please refrain from turning this thread into a Savatage reunion thread, pro or against.
~Brian~
With that said, there's not been a thread discussing his latest endeavor, Festival. I've been listening to Festival all weekend in attempt to let it soak in. I'm not quite sure if it has, but I'm confident with enough listens it will. I'm not going to post a long drawn out review. If you want something like that, then head over to the Jon Oliva's Pain Forum! There's some people on there that's put forth some WORK to post intelligent reviews.
Honestly, Jon has somehow figured out a way to release something that really doesn't sound like any of his previous efforts. Of course it has elements of his signature sound, but it seems the whole effort was approached a little differently. The biggest thing that I've noticed is the sound effects and "trinkets" that have been added throughout Festival. Some of the effects sound like something out of a later Fates Warning release to my ears! In addition, Matt LePorte has some tasty riffs throughout the release that stands out above the previous JOP releases. He's truly become a leading six string slinger over the course of playing in JOP.
That are some of my thoughts on Festival, so what are yours?
Disclaimer...please refrain from turning this thread into a Savatage reunion thread, pro or against.
~Brian~
. I did download a copy of th internet over the weekend until mine gets here but only gave it a listen on my way to and from Denver. I really prefer my first few listens of an album to be with cd booklet in hand (even if they don't have lyrics) - but I can say that it IS heavy, is definitely Jon Oliva and there's definitely some crunchy riffs on there.
