Review: Savatage – Madness Reigns From The Gutter (1990)
earMUSIC – June 26th, 2026
Reviewer – Dan Mann
Okay I’ll admit it, I was chomping at the bit to listen to this album. I’m a self-confessed Savatage nut! However, I will endeavour to remain constructive and not at all gushing…
I was a tad nervous as to what the sound quality would be like. Live recordings can be a real hit or miss, plus it being one from 26 years ago. I am pleased to report the quality of this release is excellent, certainly no disappointment from me. The restoring and remixing has been accomplished without overblowing everything. You’re just delivered that classic Savatage sound.
It says on the press release “Many fans consider the 1990 line-up to be “peak Savatage””. I wholeheartedly agree. Coming off the back of ‘Hall Of The Mountain King‘ Savatage were out promoting their latest album ‘Gutter Ballet‘. they were very much a band on fire!
‘Madness Reigns From The Gutter (1990)‘ consists of nineteen tracks in total, ninty minutes in length,so no shortening of the concert whatsoever, this is the real deal. There are songs from across their albums, up to and including the afor mentioned ‘Gutter Ballet‘.
This really was the band at their peak, and I say that not from the point of dismissing their later releases. Jon Oliva‘s vocals sounding superb, just that hint of rasp and menace. With the twin guitars of Criss Oliva (R.I.P.) and Chris Caffery absolutely wailing between fantastic harmonies, and what is the sheer powerhouse of that Savatage engine room – Johnny Lee Middleton on bass and Steve “Doc” Wacholz beating the hell out of his drumkit.
I have not stopped playing ‘Madness Reigns From The Gutter (1990)‘. I think the dog must be fed up hearing my tuneless warblings as I sing along during our walks..
One thing this album does is raise once again the question “why has Savatage not been bigger?”
Sure they have a Worldwide loyal fanbase in the Savatage Legion, but they should of been huge! The songs, the musicianship, it’s all there. Maybe some people were trying too hard to label them a power metal band, when they’ve always been so much more than that.
Thankfully Savatage are enjoying a revival, once again travelling the World. I wasn’t going to miss the chance to see them again last year. And fingers crossed they return to the UK again soon.
In the meantime, I’ll ‘make do’ with ‘Madness Reigns From The Gutter (1990)‘, and relive Savatage’s awesome live performances again & again.
Tracklisting:
- City Beneath The Surface an engraving of the cover picture
- White Witch
- Of Rage And War
- She’s In Love
- Mentally Yours
- 24 Hrs. Ago
- Legions
- Strange Wings
- Hounds
- Temptation Revelation
- When The Crowds Are Gone
- The Dungeons Are Calling
- Holocaust
- Sirens
- Power Of The Night
- Hall Of The Mountain King
- Gutter Ballet
- Thorazine Shuffle
- Devastation
Line-up:
Jon Oliva – Vocals, Keyboards
Criss Oliva – Guitar, Vocals
Chris Caffery – Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Johnny Lee Middleton – Bass, Vocals
Steve “Doc” Wacholz – Drums
Web Links:
Discover more from ROCKPOSER DOT COM
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.