Criss Oliva

I just wanted to express my opinion that he is one of the most criminally underrated guitarists ever!!! I thank the good lord, that although he called Criss home, he made some phenomenal riffs for us all to enjoy until we go. I will never forget the first time I heard the opening to Hall of the Mountain King or the begining of City Beneath the Surface, it just blew my mind. Peace.

:metal:

yep, he was a dandy.

He was great. Taken down before his prime, for sure.

I'm surprised Rich isn't here yet. He can usually sniff out a Criss Oliva thread like a bloodhound.

Criss was one of a kind, for sure. Some of the best metal riffing ever, IMO. Others can play the notes, but creating the feeling is another thing entirely.

Tall Tyrion wrote:

I'm surprised Rich isn't here yet. He can usually sniff out a Criss Oliva thread like a bloodhound.

Criss was one of a kind, for sure. Some of the best metal riffing ever, IMO. Others can play the notes, but creating the feeling is another thing entirely.

So true! I remember hearing "Strange Wings" and the opening riff made me think I had heard it before even though I knew I had not. It's the feelings and emotions created with the music that reaches out and touches you.

Tall Tyrion wrote:

I'm surprised Rich isn't here yet. He can usually sniff out a Criss Oliva thread like a bloodhound.

Ain't that the truth thought! And I love him for it!

Also gotta chime in for my all time favorite guitar-hero. Criss was a one of a kind player. The kind of guitarists who never need a second player in the band. Although they did have Chris Caffery on the last tours, he didn't really appear on any of their albums (other than on photos), 'til after Criss passed away. Criss will forever be missed.

R.I.P Criss.we miss ya:(

Criss was the man. I got a high-five from him (and also from Jon) at the end of Savatage's set when I saw them on the GUTTER BALLET tour. Best show I ever saw, bar none. He's still missed!
When I saw them again in 1996 and they played "Alone You Breathe" (dedicated to Criss' memory) I damn near cried.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Criss was the man. I got a high-five from him (and also from Jon) at the end of Savatage's set when I saw them on the GUTTER BALLET tour. Best show I ever saw, bar none. He's still missed!
When I saw them again in 1996 and they played "Alone You Breathe" (dedicated to Criss' memory) I damn near cried.

Yeah, Jon nearly broke down singin' it in Germany in '98 too. Love that song!

Ever since I heard Edge Of Thorns on Headbanger's Ball I've been hooked and was saddened to hear a couple of months later that he died. Ever since then I have purchased every album availiable by Savatage and although the later guitarists were good none compare to Criss' work. Unfortunatly, his death was around the same time that no talent hack Curt Cobain took the cowards way out. I have always felt sick to my stomache that a great guitarist like Criss will only be known by a select few whle that coward Cobain is mourned by the masses to this day.

Criss Oliva: Gone but not forgotten.

Great guitar player. R.I.P.

He was great!!! R.I.P!

DallasBlack wrote:

Ever since I heard Edge Of Thorns on Headbanger's Ball I've been hooked and was saddened to hear a couple of months later that he died. Ever since then I have purchased every album availiable by Savatage and although the later guitarists were good none compare to Criss' work. Unfortunatly, his death was around the same time that no talent hack Curt Cobain took the cowards way out. I have always felt sick to my stomache that a great guitarist like Criss will only be known by a select few whle that coward Cobain is mourned by the masses to this day.

Criss Oliva: Gone but not forgotten.

I'm not a Nirvana fan, but please, it was because Nirvana was more popular. Everyone knows who Nirvana are, pretty much mostly just metal fans know about Savatage.

Required Fields wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

Ever since I heard Edge Of Thorns on Headbanger's Ball I've been hooked and was saddened to hear a couple of months later that he died. Ever since then I have purchased every album availiable by Savatage and although the later guitarists were good none compare to Criss' work. Unfortunatly, his death was around the same time that no talent hack Curt Cobain took the cowards way out. I have always felt sick to my stomache that a great guitarist like Criss will only be known by a select few whle that coward Cobain is mourned by the masses to this day.

Criss Oliva: Gone but not forgotten.

I'm not a Nirvana fan, but please, it was because Nirvana was more popular. Everyone knows who Nirvana are, pretty much mostly just metal fans know about Savatage.

I understand that, but that does not change how I feel about the situation. I accept that metal will always take a backseat to more popular music but that doen't mean I have to like it.

Quote :

I'm surprised Rich isn't here yet. He can usually sniff out a Criss Oliva thread like a bloodhound.

A can be a little slow at times.