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Jon Oliva’s Pain
Jon Oliva’s Pain - Festival

Lies
Death Rides A Black Horse
Festival
Afterglow
Living On The Edge
Looking For Nothing
The Evil Within
Winter Haven
I Fear You
Now

Jon Oliva, former member of heavy metal stalwarts Savatage, has released five albums with Jon Oliva’s Pain, the latest one, ‘Festival’, being an epic, prog-fuelled, multi-layered rock fest. Anyone familiar with Oliva’s work with Savatge and Trans-Siberian Orchestra will know he doesn’t do things by half and in ‘Festival’ it really shows.

There are strong echoes of Savatage’s resounding, eighties vibe in Jon Oliva’s Pain - the blood that flows through the veins of an edgier approach, with progressive tendencies and true clarity of vision. In every song you can hear the intent and the outcome marry perfectly, executed with solid musicianship. There isn’t a weak track on the album. ‘Lies’, ‘Festival’ ‘Looking For Nothing’ and ‘The Evil Within’ are particularly fine pieces of work.

Jon Oliva’s voice has always sounded purpose made for heavy rock; after thirty-plus years it is still powerful, controlled and forceful. The songs are skilfully crafted, evidence of not just Oliva’s song-writing prowess, but the calibre of the musicians he chose to play on his records. ‘Festival’ is a seamless mix of power metal and heavy rock with orchestral synth and guitar solos. A must-have album whether you’re new to Oliva’s work, or a life-ling fan.

Reviewed by Annette Simmonds
‘Festival’ is out now on Afm
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