JON OLIVA Comments On 'Hall Of The Mountain King' 25th-Anniversary Shows

JON OLIVA'S PAIN, the Florida-based band led by SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva, is preparing to hit the road in June to celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of heavy metal's most iconic records, "Hall Of The Mountain King" by SAVATAGE, where Oliva himself was the singer and main songwriter from 1982 to 2002. The band will perform the entire album as a special one-time-only treat for the still massive amount of loyal fans, along with songs from the DOCTOR BUTCHER album (by Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery, released in 1995),SAVATAGE and JON OLIVA'S PAIN. The tour will begin with a U.S. warm-up show on June 16 in Tampa, Florida, and then on to Europe for 13 shows plus a visit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

JON OLIVA'S PAIN's lineup for the tour will be as follows:

Jon Oliva (piano, keyboards and vocals)
Jerry Outlaw (guitar)
Joe Diaz (guitar)
Jason Jennings (bass)
Christopher Kinder (drums)

Tour dates:

Jun. 16 - Tampa, Ritz Ybor (USA)
Jun. 23 - Bonn, Brückenforum (Germany)
Jun. 24 - Dessel, Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium)
Jun. 26 - Dubai, Club Sensation (United Arab Emirates)
Jun. 29 - Essen, Turock (Germany)
Jun. 30 - Dokkum, Dokk'em Open Air (Netherlands)
Jul. 03 - Aschaffenburg, Colos-Saal (Germany)
Jul. 04 - Zoetermeer, Boerderij (Netherlands)
Jul. 05 - Vosselaar, Biebob (Belgium)
Jul. 07 - Haugesund, Byscenen (Norway)
Jul. 09 - Pratteln, Konzertfabrik Z7 (Switzerland)
Jul. 10 - Trezzo Sull'Adda, Live Club (Italy)
Jul. 12 - Balingen, Bang Your Head!!! (Germany)
Jul. 13 - Tilburg, 013 (Netherlands)
Jul. 15 - London, The Garage (United Kingdom)

Jon Oliva comments: "With the passing of our dear friend and guitarist Matt LaPorte just a year ago, it is time to get the machine back up and running. I miss performing live, and the timing of the 25th anniversary of 'Hall Of The Mountain King' makes this the perfect opportunity. We will perform what I consider one of the best and most important records of SAVATAGE's career, and this is of course another chance I get to honor my brother Criss [late SAVATAGE guitarist], one of the greatest guitar players ever. I am still going through old tapes and recordings, and can't believe what a talent he was and how he continues to inspire me. I hope you can attend this special show, we will be leaving it all on stage every night with you, the legions, by our sides. See you soon and much love to all!"

Christopher Kinder comments: "This is a celebration of the life and music that we feel is worthy of this tour. 'Hall Of The Mountain King' is a staple to many heavy metal fans around the globe, and it certainly deserves a party. The band has been in rehearsal mode for quite some time now, and really sounds fantastic. A few more weeks and we will all be on auto-pilot. It's going to be EPIC! This opportunity — and there will only be these 15 shows — comes along once in a lifetime, and we have prepared a very special night for all who attend."

"Hall Of The Mountain King" was the first SAVATAGE album to be produced by Paul O'Neill and it showed the beginning of the band's progressive tendencies as they explored new forms of expression in their music. Many fans consider this LP a turning point in SAVATAGE's musical identity. As the group's first concept effort, it had a constant tone and was more complex than their previous albums, with two entirely instrumental tracks that go beyond simple guitar riffs and solos, namely "Prelude To Madness" and "Last Dawn".