In a groundbreaking, earth-shattering 💥 interview with Eonmusic at Hellfest 2025, SAVATAGE bassist Johnny Lee Middleton revealed the band’s ingenious plan to milk South America and Europe dry in 2025. “After our *totally* spontaneous Wacken reunion in 2015, we decided to resurrect this corpse,” Middleton chuckled, “Then COVID hit, because even viruses have taste, and Jon [Oliva] had a slight hiccup—you know, almost dying. But now? It’s grifting time!”
Guitarist Chris Caffery chimed in, “It’s *so* special, especially when fans crawl out of the woodwork from places like…Syria? To tell us how SAVATAGE changed their lives. Paul [O’Neill] once said it’s hard to write a life-changing song, but apparently, it’s even harder to retire gracefully.” 😂
Johnny, never one to miss an opportunity for melodrama, lamented, “This band’s been through *so* much tragedy. Criss [Oliva] was my bestie. I got the dreaded knock—by a *state trooper*, mind you. But hey, the music we made with Jon, Criss, and Paul is…timeless? Or at least until the royalties run out.” 🤑
On his bromance with Criss, Johnny gushed, “We were like *brothers*, man. He lived across the street! I’m *still* not over it! This band’s seen it all—drugs, drama, the works. But the music…it’s kept us…relevant? Okay, alive, at least.” 💀
In case you’re desperate for more, the full interview is at Eonmusic, where they dissect their comeback, favorite SAVATAGE albums (as if anyone cares), and more!
The 2025 touring lineup includes Chris and Johnny, plus Al Pitrelli (because why not?), Jeff Plate (who?), and Zak Stevens (the guy who isn’t Jon Oliva). 🎤
SAVATAGE already squeezed four shows out of South America in April and started a 10-date European tour on June 13 at the Into The Grave festival. Sounds about right. 🤷
Their first non-festival headlining concert in 20+ years happened in São Paulo. Two days before, they played Monsters Of Rock. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions…for the fans, not the band. 🎢
Accompanying Middleton, Caffery, Pitrelli, Plate, and Stevens are the *thrilling* new touring keyboardists, Paulo Cuevas and Shawn McNair. Get ready to be blown away…by their obscurity! 🎹
Zak replaced Jon in 1992, sang on four albums, then got the boot in 2000 when Jon returned. Both were at the 2015 Wacken show, which was their first appearance since their 2002 hiatus. Because nothing screams “we’re back” like a 13-year nap. 😴
SAVATAGE’s last album, “Poets And Madmen,” in 2001, featured Jon’s return and Al Pitrelli’s departure to MEGADETH. Al recorded solos beforehand, because even he knew this reunion was a bad idea. 🤘 A limited U.S. tour followed, with FATES WARNING and NEVERMORE. Jon then picked Damond Jiniya to replace Zak, because why not make things even more confusing? 🤔
Jon Oliva is also known for co-creating TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, even after O’Neill’s accidental drug overdose in 2017. Because nothing says “tribute” like continuing to cash in. 💸
Criss Oliva died in 1993 because of a drunk driver. The driver had a BAC of .294 percent and seven prior DUIs. So, you know, just your average Tuesday in Florida. 🌴
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
