For fans of Savatage: Archon Angel

Zak is back!



http://www.frontiers.it/album/5581

RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2020

Archon Angel is a new band project born from a meeting between producer/guitar player Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere) and former Savatage and Circle II Circle vocalist Zak Stevens during the making of Timo Tolkki's Avalon's 'Return To Eden' album, of which Aldo produced and played guitar and Zak did some guest lead vocals. The two soon started talking to Frontiers about the concept of working on new music together, which was met with great enthusiasm from the label. Aldo submitted to Zak some song ideas which were reminiscent of the classic Savatage sound of records such as “Edge Of Thorns” and “Gutter Ballet”. The two felt the magic was there, so no time was wasted in getting together to craft an absolutely striking metal album.

Ever since Savatage released their last album “Poets & Madmen,” fans have been wondering what has been going on with the band. Many releases have come from the band’s members. Chris Caffery, Zak Stevens, and of course the Trans Siberian Orchestra releases have been out there; however none of them were making records that sonde like Savatage….until now! With songwriting and production courtesy of Aldo Lonobile, Archon Angel sees Zak Stevens return to the classic Savatage sound with a particularly strong and inspired release which is going to bring the listener sback to classic albums such as “Gutter Ballet”, “Handful of Rain,” and “Dead Winter Dead”.

Aldo and Zak were also joined in the songwriting department by some of the most outstanding writers and musicians from the Italian Rock scene, including Simone Mularoni (of DGM and Sweet Oblivion) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Aldo’s bandmate in Edge of Forever and of course Jorn, Hardline, etc.).

The album itself deals with a central character, the "Archon", who is a modern day angel figure. The idea goes back to the religious system of Gnosticism. The only difference is that we are immersing the Archon's story into modern-day times. The Archon is a medium who brings messages to God (Demiurge) from the people of Earth. The only real concept to the album is that they simply follow the story and life and times of the modern day "Archon" and his life as he is called upon to protect the people of earth through frightening, turbulent times.

Archon Angel are currently working on booking some live shows in support of the album. If Savatage are a favorite of yours, then Archon Angel's "Fallen" may well be your album of the year!

Check out their video for "Fallen". Definitely get familiar Savatage vibes:



"On the first single, vocalist Zak Stevens says, "The title track accompanies the Archon on his journey in transitioning from a successful businessman, who leads a life of excess and egoism, to a superhero who will clean up the city and eventually, save the world from self destruction. In the song, he is reminiscing about his past and the family he left behind, while summoning the power that called him to save the world to "hear him."

About the filming of the video, Zak continues, "After an arduous search for the perfect city and videographer, we settled on Pittsburgh, PA for my scenes. The band was filmed in Genova, Italy, near the famous Porto Antico. In Pittsburgh, we shot atop Mt. Washington, overlooking downtown, much like the Archon would be doing as he pondered his future. The weather didn't cooperate the first day as it was a rainy day. But one of the coolest moments occurred while filming the video....one of the locations was right across from Heinz Field during a Pittsburgh Steelers [football] game. At the apex of the song, the crowd erupted in cheering at the perfect time, and people who were watching us film were caught by surprise. It really contributed to my overall mindset during that portion of the song. I felt like they were cheering for the Archon and it mimicked a true live performance. I can't wait to get out there and perform this song live with Archon Angel."

And a second track released, which is even better:

Count me in. This is a must buy .

Sounds really good!!!

Album is out and there's a lyric video for the song "the Serpent".

I was lazy in ordering this, but I finally did last weekend. I'm expecting this CD to drop any day now.

Here's Archon Angel doing Hall of the Mountain King:

I just bought it as well, actually. Haha. It wasn't available from Amazon for very long before only being available from third-party sellers, so I waited until it was restocked or whatever. Was cheaper, too, so I guess it worked out.

Oh man i just wish Savatage would make a comeback and release a new album...

Gilbert wrote:

Oh man i just wish Savatage would make a comeback and release a new album...

Nah. I think we've had something like 30 different Savatage-related albums/projects since Poets and Madmen. No way the band would have been that prolific had they stayed to record under the 'Tage banner.

Plus, Poets and Madmen wasn't all that great. The band, I feel, was going in the wrong direction.

Paul O'Neill is also gone, so having them be better than the sum of their parts is doubtful. Not sure they could top the individual spinoffs. I think we're in a good place.

You could just make your own Savatage album in this thread:
https://heartofmetal.niceboard.com/t25749-let-s-make-a-new-savatage-album

Lari wrote:

Gilbert wrote:

Oh man i just wish Savatage would make a comeback and release a new album...

Nah. I think we've had something like 30 different Savatage-related albums/projects since Poets and Madmen. No way the band would have been that prolific had they stayed to record under the 'Tage banner.

Plus, Poets and Madmen wasn't all that great. The band, I feel, was going in the wrong direction.

Paul O'Neill is also gone, so having them be better than the sum of their parts is doubtful. Not sure they could top the individual spinoffs. I think we're in a good place.

You could just make your own Savatage album in this thread:
https://heartofmetal.niceboard.com/t25749-let-s-make-a-new-savatage-album

Poets and Madmen is pretty fantastic, I think. I thought it was closer to older Savatage than they gone in a long time. And "Morphine Child" is one of the best Sava tunes ever!

Anyway, we've definitely gotten a lot of great albums from the various members since. I'm curious to know how Jon Oliva is doing. In January of 2017 someone posted "Big news coming soon....and long overdue!" on the Jon Oliva's Pain page. Whatever that was never happened, unless the big news was a stage backdrop going up for auction on eBay. Haha.

Last week someone posted "I know that JO is working on new material so that is always a good thing!" Part of me wonders about that, though. I think maybe his health is pretty bad. =(

Poets and Madmen is a very good album, but in the 'Tage discography, only Fight for the Rock ranks below it.

https://rateyourmusic.com/list/Larmer28/ranking-savatage-albums/

Lari wrote:

Poets and Madmen is a very good album, but in the 'Tage discography, only Fight for the Rock ranks below it.

https://rateyourmusic.com/list/Larmer28/ranking-savatage-albums/

For me, their worst album is Streets. I know people love it, and it has some great songs, but...not the classic so many say it is.

After two full spins, I'm surprised at how good this is. It buries the last three Circle II Circle albums. Up to the level of early CIIC when Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery were still contributing to songwriting and it wasn't a complete Zak show.

Zak's vocals also sound great. Seems like these Italians have rejuvenated Zak Stevens. His wife Kate wrote the lyrics and came up with the concept and band name. Kind of reminds me of the scene from Spinal Tap where the lead singer's girlfriend takes over the band, but this time here it's probably for the best. Modern metal music can use a different approach angle definitely.

They absolutely nail the cover song - outstanding.
Glad I clicked on this thread. That video was intense !
“ Serpent “ lyric video. Wow. I like Egyptian symbology.
Fantastic sound.

I'm really liking this. I haven't quite followed the "Fallen" story, I should try and do that the next time I spin this.

I've also been listening to my Circle II Circle CDs and one album stood out that I feel I have overlooked in the past: Consequence of Power. Another concept album that I have not figured out the concept of, but the music is really good. And the booklet art.

I should try and put all Zak's post-Savatage albums in order now that I have his music fresh in my mind.

Here, all Zak Stevens fronted albums post-Savatage, ranked from best to worst:



Layout courtesy of www.neverendingchartrendering.org

Not a big fan of that Machines of Grace album. Surprised to see it so high in your list. I'd probably rank it last out of all those albums. Not bad, but the songwriting just isn't as strong.

I think it's great. Songs are definitely memorable, especially the second half. Soul to Fire, Breakdown, Better Days, This Time... wonderful stuff.

Lari, i only own the Circle II Circle double best of cd, which i find to be quite sufficient.

Is there anything that i am missing? Any additional album i should check?

I don't know what's on that Best Of, but if it's 2CD then that sounds plenty for a band with such a limited discography.

Lari wrote:

I don't know what's on that Best Of, but if it's 2CD then that sounds plenty for a band with such a limited discography.

Here's the list of the tracks (courtesy of metal archives) :

Yeah, it's actually only tracks from the first five. But I'd say you're good, unless you really love it and want all of Zak's stuff on your shelf.

Which songs are your favourites? Basically all the songs on the first two albums are written by Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery, and Zak did the lyrics and vocal melodies. But I still like the third one the best.

Lari wrote:

Yeah, it's actually only tracks from the first five. But I'd say you're good, unless you really love it and want all of Zak's stuff on your shelf.

Which songs are your favourites? Basically all the songs on the first two albums are written by Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery, and Zak did the lyrics and vocal melodies. But I still like the third one the best.

I remember consequence of power being a favorite. But i need to give the 2 cds a fresh spin. It's been a while.

How many bands has this guy started? Every five to ten years it’s something new. Like nothing sticks for him.

ARCHON ANGEL II will be released 14th April.



https://www.frontiers.shop/new-releases/1540/archon-angel-ii-cd-jewelcase

Tracklisting:
1. Wake Of Emptiness
2. Avenging The Dragon
3. Fortress
4. Quicksand
5. Away From The Sun
6. Afterburn
7. I Will Return
8. One Last Reflection
9. Bulletproof
10. Shattered
11. Lake Of Fire

Lari wrote:

ARCHON ANGEL II will be released 14th April.



https://www.frontiers.shop/new-releases/1540/archon-angel-ii-cd-jewelcase

Tracklisting:
1. Wake Of Emptiness
2. Avenging The Dragon
3. Fortress
4. Quicksand
5. Away From The Sun
6. Afterburn
7. I Will Return
8. One Last Reflection
9. Bulletproof
10. Shattered
11. Lake Of Fire

Must buy!