The progression of Savatage is best heard through the band's music, said vocalist Zachary Stevens.
"This latest album (Handful of Rain) just compounds the style we have made our own," said Stevens, 28, during a telephone interview from Amhurst, N.Y. "We went through a lot of changes in the last year, but it was done smoothly and professionally. But it's been hard."Hard is an understatement. After losing lead guitarist and Criss Oliva, the brother of Savatage's producer Jon Oliva, to a drunken driver last year, the band, which is comprosed of Stevens, guitarist Alex Skolnick, drummer Jeff Plate and bassist Johnny Lee Middleton, had to get things back on track.
" `Handful of Rain' is filled with the emotion of losing someone like Criss," Stevens said. "The drunk driver only got a 10-year mandatory sentence because it was his second offense, but that's justice for you. Anyway, when we decided to make this album a tribute to Criss, we called in old friend Alex Skolnick (formerly of Testament) to join."
Skolnick, said Stevens, was the only one called to fill his friend's shoes.
"Alex is mind blowing," said Stevens. "He really reached into his emotions and played for Criss. He is one of the best additions this band has ever had."
Though the sessions went well and the album was released, a new barrier rose in the band's progression - the departure of drummer Steve "Doc"
Wacholz. "Steve wanted to leave even before the accident," explained Stevens. "But after Criss' death, Steve said he'd come back and do the album for him. But after completing the album, he left. So, we had to find another
drummer." Enter Jeff Plate.
"I had played with Jeff in a band called White Witch before I joined Savatage some 21/2 years ago," said Stevens. "When Doc left, I contacted Jeff and asked him to come down. It's like playing with a brother."
Stevens derived his classically influenced trademark vocals from the old school of rock 'n' roll.
"When I was 5 and 6, I listened to the Eagles, Bad Company and Creedence Clearwater Revival," remembered Stevens. "But when I hit school, it was Kiss. I had 22 Kiss albums. They really did something to me. Then I heard Steve Perry from Journey. Incredible! But since then, he's gone soft like Michael Bolton."
Stevens said Savatage is a band that likes to make sure things are done
right. "Well, at least, I'm like that," he mused. "The others call me Mr. Obsessive. I get obsessed with a certain track or thing and can't get my mind off it. But it helps in the creating process."
When the band gets together to write songs, everyone gets a piece of the
action. "We have a tight-knit, musical circle that handles that stuff," Stevens said. "Jon comes in and writes lyrics and arrangements while Johnny and Alex trade ideas. The process usually comes together in a logical order. We're also very intuitative. We follow what sounds good."
Stevens joined Savatage after the critically acclaimed release "Streets." Stevens' voice fit the rock-opera format and has been with the band ever
since. "When you're just starting out, you need to take your time," he said. "It all comes down to who sticks it out. An upcoming musician needs to play as much as possible and get himself prepared musically and trained. That way he can step into any circumstance and show he's worked hard to get to where he is."
But that hard work hasn't erased the fact that Stevens still has pet peeves about his singing.
" `Edge of Thorns' was the first album I sang on, and to tell you the truths, I have a hard time listening to it or any other album I've been on," he said. "I just get nervous. It's like, great, the song's out. I wonder what people are thinking about it. Do they like it? Or do they hate it? I can't help it. That's the way I am."
But regardless of the stress, Stevens said being in Savatage is the best thing in the world.
"I get to sing," he said. "I get to go out there and do the thing I love to do. It took a long time for this to happen, but the individuals in this band stuck to its guns."
Savatage will play Thursday, Oct. 20, at Rafters.