Metal Anarchy

During a recent interview with Metal Pilgrim, Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery, drummer Jeff Plate, and vocalist Zak Stevens offered an update on their new album plans. According to them, “a lot of music” has been written.

Caffery said the following:

“Well, the music is being written and it keeps being written. As far as when it’s going to be finished, there is not a date. Let’s just put it this way that when we can, we will get music done. And the stuff that is written is very good. And when we get together and start playing, I have a feeling there’s gonna be new stuff that gets written too. I mean, in a perfect world, we get these shows done, we make a plan that’s actually going to stay straight and we can have an answer for this for an actual date.

I think it would be great to have some music, but for right now, I think the most important thing is that we’re going. And now that the SAVATAGE machine is moving, we’ll be able to answer these questions better, I think, now that it’s solidified that it’s no longer the rumor that SAVATAGE is playing. So we’ll have these answers more as we get together.”

Stevens continued:

“And we have been working on music. We’ve been recording stuff for a while now. I mean, I’ve got about probably eight or nine songs that I’ve been working on with [SAVATAGE mastermind] Jon [Oliva]. And he keeps writing more, like Chris said. So it’s just an ongoing process. Stuff is continuing to beat the old stuff. So Jon goes, ‘Oh, you like that? Well, here.’ And then something winds up beating something else, and then what you thought was gonna be the 10 songs on the record, now half of them have already gone to a new level. So we’ve got a lot of music. So it’s just gonna be a matter of time to when we can record it.”

Caffery also commented on touring without Oliva:

“For us, really, it’s gonna be up to Jon, when Jon is able to do what Jon is able to do. I know personally, I’m gonna see Jon tomorrow. He’s coming out to see us with TSO [TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA]. And when he’s there, we’ll be speaking about the setlist for SAVATAGE and what we’re gonna do. And I’ll know more of how he feels and what he has going on. And every time I speak to him, I find out more about how he is and where that’s going. So, as far as where Jon is, that’s gonna be up to Jon. He wants to be there.

I’ve gotta be honest with you. I think us going and playing is gonna really push him to get this, whatever the physical therapy is and make things happen that gets him there, because I know the Mountain King and he wants to be there. He doesn’t not wanna be there. So it’s gonna be one of these things. And we’re gonna do whatever we can to make sure that we incorporate him into the show. I mean, technology has a lot of a lot of things… So there’s ways to get Jon Oliva to these shows. So we’ll figure it out.”

Plate added:

“It’s very honorable of Jon to allow us to do this. SAVATAGE is his baby. He started this thing back in the ’80s. And the fact that he’s, like, ‘Let’s let these guys get out there and play and get this thing rolling.’ He’s got some health things he’s really got to straighten out. And they are serious, they are unforeseen and all of a sudden these things just happen. But Jon, I give that man a lot of credit for saying, ‘Okay, guys.’

We’ve all collectively — what do we figure, Chris? 160 years or [1]70 years or something like that we’ve collectively been working for Jon Oliva, and he trusts us. So, this band going out there and getting this ball rolling is… I think Chris kind of nailed it on the head. This is gonna be inspiration for Jon too. And we’re all just hoping for him to get healthy and get back on the horse and back out here with us.”

Caffery then chimed back in:

“I looked at him the last time I saw him and I said to him that ‘I’ve never done a SAVATAGE show without you.’ We had a really close talk about this stuff and got into that in particular, and he looked to me, and he just says, ‘Would you go fucking play?’ So any fans that tell me that this ain’t SAVATAGE and it ain’t Jon, it’s, like, talk to him. It’s, like, keep your opinions to yourself.

I know who Jon is and I know what SAVATAGE is. And when the Mountain King yells at you and tells you to go do that, I’m gonna go do it. That’s basically where I’m at.”

Plate concluded:

“Hey, I’m still one of the new guys and I’ve been here for 30 years. [Laughs] I think we got this covered.”

[via Blabbermouth]