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SAVATAGE: "Madness Reigns Europe 2025" Tour Recap

Savatage celebrate triumphant comeback with headline tour "Madness Reigns Europe 2025" and phenomenal festival appearances

It was an announcement that metalheads around the world had been waiting and hoping for: some had already feared that they would never hear these songs live again, never sing them out loud as part of a crowd of old and new Sava heads.
But they never stopped believing. When the announcement finally came in December 2024, the enthusiastic reactions from fans and the media exceeded all expectations: SAVATAGE are back and are coming to their "Madness Reigns Europe 2025"-tour! The iconic line-up of John Lee Middleton, Zak Stevens, Chris Caffery, Jeff Plate and Al Pitrelli confirmed their long-awaited return to the stage after a ten-year break. And they were welcomed by the world with open arms.

What followed was the comeback of a band whose unique blend of thrash, progressive, power metal and classic hard rock has left an irreversible mark on the music world and whose legacy is as vibrant and powerful as ever. Fans and critics agree: Savatage are back - with the same energy they left off with; if not far more.

Thousands of enthusiastic fans filled sold-out venues in Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the UK, creating an atmosphere that reminded everyone why Savatage is still one of the most popular metal bands around. In addition, as some festival organizers later emphasized "Headliner-worthy" Shows at the Into The Grave Festival (Netherlands), the Hellfest (France), the Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium, the Barcelona Rockfest (Spain) or the Rockwave in Greece.

Each show featured a setlist carefully crafted by founding member Jon Oliva that was a nostalgic romp through the band's legendary catalog, celebrated by countless fans of all ages sweating and singing together with tears in their eyes. An emotional highlight of each show was a pre-recorded video of Jon Oliva performing "Believe", which also included a slideshow tribute to Criss Oliva. The climax came when the band returned to the stage at the end and performed the last part of the song together with Jon on the screen.
There were festivals full of fans in old and new Savatage shirts, record-breaking merch sales, emotional and euphoric show reviews from fans and critics alike - full of praise and anticipation for what's next for the band. They all left the shows full of joy and gratitude: grateful to have been there and to have witnessed what some have subsequently described as "a piece of metal history" and full of joy and excitement to see more. These feelings match those of the band, who are overwhelmed by the feedback and love from everyone out there and have long been ready for more, as drummer Jeff Plate revealed in an interview with EMP during the band's rehearsals in Hanover: "This is just the beginning."

Press release: CMM GmbH

Image source: Savatage