JON OLIVA'S PAIN Is 'The Closest Thing To SAVATAGE That You're Going To Get!'

Guitarist Ralph Santolla (OBITUARY, ex-DEICIDE, DEATH, ICED EARTH) has recorded a guest appearance on the new JON OLIVA'S PAIN album, "Global Warning", playing lead on two songs: "Adding the Cost" and "You'll Never Know".

Comments JON OLIVA'S PAIN guitarist Matt LaPorte: "I am so psyched to have my buddy Ralph knock it outta the park on the new record. He might be the greatest lead guitarist in metal today — at least I think so." LaPorte adds that the new JON OLIVA'S PAIN record is more early-era SAVATAGE-like than even last year's "Maniacal Renderings". "A few of the riffs are taken from lost or never-released SAVA tunes," he says. "It's like stepping back in time, according to the big man, and it's quite an honor for me, as always, to play a part in fulfilling the destiny of these pieces of music."

With the new album's final tracking and mixing/mastering being finished up at Tampa's famed Morrissound studios in the next few weeks, the band plans on a spring 2008 European tour, some U.S. dates (including a co-headlining spot at ProgPower USA festival in Atlanta),as well as the European festival circuit in summer 2008.

In other news, Jon Oliva has issued the following statement regarding the current status of SAVATAGE:

"It has become necessary for me to set the record straight about any possible future SAVATAGE concert performances.

"After careful consideration by me, management and members of the band, I would like to make an official statement about the state of SAVATAGE.

"The TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA is growing at an amazing rate. Our second non-Christmas record ('Nightcastle') will be released [next] year. Following that, TSO will immediately begin recording its next Christmas record while also planning for year-round touring and possible overseas performances.

"As a further result of the ever-growing popularity and demand for the TSO brand, SAVATAGE is not planning to do any future concert appearances. TSO has become a year-round responsibility for all of us and the future looks to be increasingly more demanding. Therefore, it is not possible for us to shut down this massive operation in order to perform SAVATAGE shows.

"We hope this puts to rest any speculation that SAVATAGE will be returning to the stage.

"JON OLIVA'S PAIN requires the balance of my time and energy and I am happy to be recording and touring with such a great band and the continued release of my music. Our third CD, 'Global Warning', will be released in Europe via AFM Records in mid-April 2008.

"JON OLIVA'S PAIN is the closest thing to SAVATAGE that you're going to get!"

"Thank you and we look forward to bringing the 'PAIN' to you for many years to come.

JON OLIVA'S PAIN European tour dates:

Apr. 25 - NO - Haugesund @ Karmøygeddon Metal Festival
Apr. 26 - DK - Copenhagen @ The Rock
Apr. 28 - DE - Aschaffenburg @ Colos-Saal
Apr. 29 - AT- Wien @ Planet Music
May 01 - CH - Pratteln @ Z7
May 02 - IT- Piacenza @ Fillmore
May 03 - IT - Florence @ Viper Club
May 06 - ES - Vitoria @ Azkena
May 07 - ES - Madrid @ Caracol
May 08 - ES - Barcelona @ Salamandra 1
May 10 - GR - Athens @ Gagarin
May 11 - GR - Thessaloniki @ venue tba
May 13 - DE - Essen @ Turock
May 14 - NL - Tilburg @ 013