Doctor Butcher - Doctor Butcher
- Released: 1995
- Label: Black Lotus
- Rating:
Savatage…I love Savatage! What started as a humble power-thrash band later evolved into an almost Broadway-esque melodic metal band around the early 90’s. They became huge (or as huge as huge gets in the metal world) and soon there were countless spinoffs due to revolving door band lineups and very scarce new releases. Savatage fans have had to struggle through the whole ordeal – we haven’t even seen a new album (or heard of one in the works) since the early 2000’s. Thankfully, there are countless side projects by former and current members of the Savatage clan.
Some may go for the ultra-orchestrated Trans-Siberian Orchestra (which I hate), others for Chris Caffery’s modern side project. Maybe some even dig Zakk’s now debunked band Circle II Circle. Very few take the time to track down the real gold of the spinoffs: Jon Oliva’s side-projects. Jon Oliva was the former vocalist for Savatage. He sang when Savatage was just a lowly thrash band and during the band’s defining moment, Streets. Ever since then, Jon’s been outta the band doing mostly behind-the-scenes work for them. He has the fewest amount of solo albums but he also has the best of the solo albums. You can currently find Jon doing work for his band Pain and on his newest release, Tage Mahal, which is a dedication to his late brother Chris. Needless to say, that album totally owns. Jon’s first spinoff and also I believe THE first Savatage spin-off is the disc in question, Dr. Butcher. This is a fine, fine disc that is worth the ordeal to get.
The album was recorded a short time after Chris (Jon’s brother) died, which I believe gave Jon a big reason to sound angry as fuck on here. For those who know Jon, he is one of the most heralded people in the metal community and just recently won a life-time achievement award for the hard rock awards. His vocal delivery has always been one of the most passionate in metal history, which completely masks his somewhat annoying voice. You can really feel the piss and vinegar radiate from his voice on every Savatage album…but Jon gives his very best performance on this album.
The album is angry…very, very angry. It’s way angrier than anything Savatage ever put out – old or new. However, it’s not just angry – it’s also one of the catchiest, most energetic and riff-a-riffic albums of Jon’s career. The album is just a lesson of how metal should be done right.
The album consists of a slightly angrier traditional metal approach with some thrash influence. Every track has something to offer the listener, whether it be the riff on the opening track “The Alter”, the misanthropic lyrics of “I Hate, You Hate”, the catch of “The Chair” or the ferocity found in “Don’t Talk To Me”. It’s ALL gold. Not a single track is wasted. I don’t know how Chris and Jon wrote all the incredible riffs. I guarantee every single one will remain in your head for a long time.
The lyrics are the usual angry lyrics, but with Jon you know it’s in good taste. This is obviously a CD to put on when you’re in a bad mood. Lyrics consist of the church conspiracies, killing people, and life in confusion. Don’t worry though, what is usually found to be juvenile antics are very intelligently written.
Headbanging galore people! Jon’s voice is in top form here using his high pitch wails more than on any other CD to be found. Anyone who loved it when he used to shriek will be very pleased. The delivery is incredible and very passionate and you can tell Jon means every word he yells at you. Although, to be fair, he does lose it every once in awhile. I always cringe during the final seconds of “The Alter” when he goes remarkably off key. It’s like all of a sudden he swallowed a fly during the recording. I don’t know why they didn’t fix this.
The solos are all remarkable. Air guitaring is inevitable and all those who deny it will be shot. Chris also puts on a great performance. The solos are all very well put together and actually have structure to them. These aren’t solos you’ve heard a billion times before; trust me. This whole CD is very refreshing and actually offers something to the listener. The album is very diverse and never gets boring, although some tracks tend to drag on a bit. “Season Of The Witch” always has me reach for the fast forward button. I appreciate the spice though. Here we find some bits of hard-rock, thrash, power and a little of everything in between. The middle is a bit slower than the rest, but still rocking. The great thing is there are no ballads or traditional Savatage antics like piano or epic choruses. This is just plain balls-to-the-wall metal and Jon has made it clear that he doesn’t need Savatage to put on a hell of a show.
Now, this is mainly for fans of the older Savatage or anyone who basically wants a good record to blow off some steam. Anyone who despises the older Savatage and is completely in love with the epic sound of Savatage probably won’t like this album as much as I. I’m a bigger fan of newer Savatage than older and I really dig this because it sounds nothing like the older stuff.
The production is surprisingly good for a low-budget recording. Guitar crunch and Jon’s vocals are the main focus here. Drums are audible when you focus on them, but the bass can barely be heard and when the keyboards are used – forget about it. The keyboards and bass are buried very deep in the mix and I would have liked to hear them more. Also, it might be just me but some tracks sound dirtier than the others, but it’s cool.
In conclusion though, it’s an album that’s gonna be hard to find but totally worth it and I’d sell my left nut for a follow-up to this album. Anyone looking for relive the old days of Savatage must have this disc. Listen and prepare to be rocked!
Brent C. | 07/08/2006