Savatage - Hall of Mountain King - 12" Vinyl LP Album

- The epic 1987 progressive metal milestone with tracklist, musicians, production secrets, and rare album photos

Savatage Hall of Mountain King 12" Vinyl LP

This album shows the beginning of Savatage's progressive tendencies as they explore new forms of expression in their music. Many fans consider this album the original turning point in their musical identity, distinguishing between the old and new Savatage.

"Hall of Mountain King" Album Description:

In the vibrant landscape of 1980s heavy metal, Savatage's fourth studio album, "Hall of the Mountain King," emerged as a groundbreaking and transformative work. Released in 1987, the album marked a significant turning point for the band, solidifying their unique sound and setting the stage for their future success.

Historical Context

The mid-to-late 1980s was a period of intense creativity and experimentation in heavy metal. Bands were pushing boundaries, incorporating diverse influences, and exploring new sonic territories. Savatage, formed in Florida in 1978 by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva, had already established themselves as a promising act with their previous albums. However, "Hall of the Mountain King" would propel them to new heights.

Musical Exploration

One of the most striking aspects of "Hall of the Mountain King" is its ambitious musical scope. The album seamlessly blends elements of heavy metal, progressive rock, and classical music, creating a rich and dynamic sonic tapestry. This fusion of styles was a bold move for the band, and it paid off handsomely.

The album's title track, "Hall of the Mountain King," is a prime example of this musical exploration. The song features a powerful main riff, soaring vocals, and intricate instrumentation, all of which combine to create a truly epic listening experience. Other standout tracks include the anthemic "24 Hours Ago" and the hauntingly beautiful "The Price You Pay."

Controversies

While "Hall of the Mountain King" was met with critical acclaim, it also generated some controversy. The album's dark and theatrical imagery, coupled with its often cryptic lyrics, led some to accuse the band of promoting Satanism. However, Savatage vehemently denied these accusations, stating that their music was simply meant to be thought-provoking and entertaining.

Studio and Band Members

"Hall of the Mountain King" was recorded at the Record Plant in New York City, with renowned producer Paul O'Neill at the helm. O'Neill's influence on the album was significant, as he encouraged the band to experiment with different sounds and arrangements.

The album features the classic Savatage lineup of Jon Oliva on vocals and keyboards, Criss Oliva on guitars, Johnny Lee Middleton on bass, and Steve Wacholz on drums. This core group of musicians would go on to create some of the most iconic heavy metal albums of the 1980s and 1990s.

Frontman Jon Oliva

Jon Oliva's powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence were instrumental in Savatage's success. His ability to seamlessly transition between aggressive screams and soaring melodies made him one of the most distinctive vocalists in heavy metal. On "Hall of the Mountain King," Oliva's vocals are at their peak, delivering some of his most memorable performances.

Bio Savatage early band history 1979–1990 vinyl albums https://vinyl-records.nl
Savatage (1979–1990)

Formed in Tarpon Springs, Florida by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva, Savatage began as Avatar in 1979, before adopting their iconic name in 1983. Their early releases, including *Sirens* (1983) and *Power of the Night* (1985), blended progressive and heavy metal. With producer Paul O’Neill, they broke through on *Hall of the Mountain King* (1987) and refined their theatrical style with *Gutter Ballet* (1989). By 1990, Savatage had become a cornerstone of American progressive metal.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Progressive Heavy Metal Music

Label & Catalognr:

Atlantic Records – 781 775-1 (781775)

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Gramophone

Year & Country:

1987 – Made in Germany

Producers:
  • Paul O'Neill – Producer (in-house producer/sound engineer for Atlantic Records)
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • James A. Ball – Sound/Recording Engineer
  • Joe Henahan – Sound/Recording Engineer
Mastering Engineer & Location:
  • Jack Skinner – Mastering at Sterling Sound, New York City

Jack Skinner, a revered mastering engineer, has made significant contributions to the music industry through his work at Sterling Sound Studio in New York City. Sterling Sound, established in 1968, is one of the most prestigious mastering facilities globally, known for its state-of-the-art equipment and top-tier engineers.

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Skinner's career at Sterling Sound spans several decades, during which he has mastered albums for a wide range of artists. His portfolio includes work with iconic names such as Metallica, who benefited from his mastering expertise on their groundbreaking debut album "Kill 'Em All" (1983) . This album, often credited with helping to define the thrash metal genre, features seminal tracks like "Seek & Destroy" and "Whiplash." Skinner's mastering played a crucial role in its raw and powerful sound, contributing to its lasting impact on the metal scene.

Another notable project in Skinner's illustrious career is Raven's "Live at the Inferno" (1984). This live album captures the raw energy and intensity of the band's performance, and Skinner's mastering work ensured that the live recording translated effectively to the final product. His expertise helped to achieve a powerful and dynamic sound that captured the essence of Raven's live shows, further cementing their place in heavy metal history.

In addition to his work with metal legends, Skinner has also mastered albums for diverse artists across various genres, demonstrating his versatility and broad appeal. His ability to enhance the sonic quality of recordings, ensuring they sound their best on all playback systems, is highly regarded in the industry.

Skinner's approach to mastering involves a blend of technical skill and artistic sensitivity. He uses a combination of analog and digital equipment to achieve the desired sound, often employing tools such as equalizers, compressors, and limiters to shape the audio. His keen ear for detail allows him to make precise adjustments that bring out the best in each track.

Beyond his individual projects, Jack Skinner has also contributed to the legacy of Sterling Sound by mentoring up-and-coming engineers. His guidance has helped to nurture the next generation of mastering talent, ensuring the continued excellence of the studio.

Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • Bob Defrin – Art Direction
    • Bob Defrin is a renowned art director and album cover designer best known for his striking visuals for hard rock and heavy metal acts in the 1980s. His bold, memorable imagery helped define the visual identity of bands like AC/DC, Twisted Sister, and Metallica. Discover more in this profile.
  • Gary Smith – Album Cover Design

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Jon Oliva – Vocals, Piano
  • Criss Oliva – Guitars
  • Johnny Lee Middleton – Bass Guitar
  • Steve "Doc" Wacholz – Drums

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. 24 Hours Ago – 4:56
  2. Beyond the Doors of the Dark – 5:07
  3. Legions – 4:57
  4. Strange Wings – 3:45
  5. Prelude to Madness – 3:13
Video: Savatage - Strange Wings
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Hall of the Mountain King – 5:55
  2. The Price You Pay – 3:51
  3. White Witch – 3:31
  4. Last Dawn – 1:07
  5. Devastation – 3:37
Video: Savatage - Hall Of The Mountain King
Album Front Cover Photo
Album cover artwork of Savatage – Hall of the Mountain King. The painting shows a muscular, bearded king with a golden crown seated on a throne flanked by two ornate stone pillars. He wears a red robe draped over his lap and glares forward with an intense expression. At his feet are books, a sword, and scattered gold coins, while a large treasure chest sits to his right. On both sides are glowing chalices emitting smoke. The dark background includes gothic arches and carved figures, enhancing the dramatic medieval atmosphere.

The album cover artwork depicts a striking fantasy scene dominated by a powerful, bare-chested king with a long white beard and golden crown. He sits firmly on a dark, high-backed throne decorated with carved animal heads, exuding authority and menace.

On either side of the king rise tall marble pillars with ornate carvings, framing the scene and creating the impression of a grand, cathedral-like hall. From the left and right, blue chalices rest on pedestals, glowing and emitting curling smoke that adds an air of mysticism.

At the king’s feet lies a collection of symbolic objects: an open book, closed tomes stacked together, a double-headed battle axe, and scattered coins hinting at power, knowledge, and conquest. To the right, a richly ornamented treasure chest lies ajar with gold spilling out alongside a goblet and chain.

The background deepens the ominous atmosphere with shadowed arches, faint figures carved into stone, and a small, mischievous imp lurking to the left of the throne. The entire composition glows with dramatic lighting, making the king appear larger than life and embodying the album’s dark, theatrical spirit.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover artwork of Savatage – Hall of the Mountain King. The design shows ghostly illustrated portraits of the four band members emerging from a glowing golden chalice. Their faces are pale, ethereal, and framed with flowing 1980s heavy metal hairstyles, lit by streaks of lightning that crackle upward from the chalice. The track listing is divided on the left and right sides of the cover, with songs from Side One and Side Two clearly displayed. Production credits and musician nicknames are printed at the bottom left, while the catalog number, label logo, and legal text appear at the lower right. The atmosphere is mystical and theatrical, combining fantasy with the band’s dark metal image.

The back cover artwork presents a surreal, spectral vision of Savatage. Emerging from a large golden chalice at the bottom of the image are the ghostly faces of the four band members, each rendered in pale tones with flowing hair and intense gazes. Lightning bolts rise dramatically from the chalice, wrapping their visages in a haze of energy and mysticism.

To the left and right of the portraits, the complete track listing is shown, divided into two sides. The left side lists “24 Hrs. Ago,” “Beyond the Doors of the Dark,” “Legions,” and “Strange Wings,” while the right side names “Prelude to Madness,” “Hall of the Mountain King,” “The Price You Pay,” “White Witch,” “Last Dawn,” and “Devastation.”

Beneath the track list, production credits acknowledge producer Paul O’Neill, engineers James A. Ball and Joe Henahan, and mastering by Jack Skinner at Sterling Sound, NYC. Additional details include musician nicknames such as Jon “The Grit” Oliva, Criss “The Crusch” Oliva, Steve “The Cannon” Wacholz, and Johnny Lee “The Thunder” Middleton, reinforcing the band’s theatrical presentation.

At the lower right corner, the Atlantic Records logo, catalog number 781 775-1, legal notes, and barcode provide the practical details of this release. The overall design merges fantasy art with documentation, capturing the album’s dark, epic atmosphere while showcasing the essential credits and track information.

Record Label Photo
Close-up of the Atlantic Records label for Savatage – Hall of the Mountain King Side One. The circular label is divided into bright green at the top and orange at the bottom with a bold black Atlantic logo above the album and band name printed in black text. Track titles and songwriting credits for Side One are listed in black with durations clearly visible. Publishing and production credits are printed below along with GEMA/BIEM rights society information, catalog number 781 775-1, and stereo marking. Around the outer edge runs legal and copyright text. The spindle hole is visible at the center.

This close-up image shows the Side One record label of Savatage’s Hall of the Mountain King as issued by Atlantic Records. The label design is split horizontally: green occupies the upper half, orange the lower, with the bold black-and-orange Atlantic logo positioned prominently at the top.

Centered beneath the logo are the band and album names in capital black letters. The left side displays the word STEREO alongside the GEMA/BIEM rights society marking, while the right side clearly identifies this as Side 1.

The main section lists four tracks: “24 Hours Ago” (4:56), “Beyond the Doors of the Dark” (5:07), “Legions” (4:57), and “Strange Wings” (3:45). Each entry includes songwriter credits such as J. Oliva, C. Oliva, Middleton, and O’Neill. Publishing details (G.B. only, Mess Music-MCPS) and production credits confirm Paul O’Neill as producer, co-produced by Savatage.

At the bottom of the label, the catalog number 781 775-1 is printed in large bold numbers. Surrounding the outer rim, fine print contains legal disclaimers regarding duplication and broadcasting rights. The spindle hole punctuates the center of the label, reminding viewers this is an authentic vinyl pressing.

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SAVATAGE - Hall of Mountain King album front cover vinyl record

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