From: Burrn magazine, Japan 1993
translated by: Mami Mizutani
HTML by: Ellen Bakvis

-First of all, I want to know the reason why Jon left the band, when did he reveal his real intention?

Criss: Actually, I have talked about it with him for at least a year or more. He wants to produce and write songs for other bands. He also didn't want to go on a tour any more. He didn't talk about it openly, anyway. He wants to take time to produce and compose music more. That is the reason why he left the band. But, our relationship is still good. We worked with him on the CD. He is the co-producer. We were in the studio together. And he was working well with Zak. To make a long story short, Jon cares about us. He is a great person to Savatage. In a sense he is still a member of Savatage.

-Didn't you try to keep him?

Criss: No. He decided to leave Savatage, but he is still supportive of Savatage. He retired from Savatage and he wants to be supportive in a different manner .

-Did you meet Zak during the tour ?

Criss: On the Gutter Ballet tour , I met him in a concert hall for the first time. But I didn't know that he was a singer and we had just met. So when I was looking for a singer, my guitar technician told me "I know a great singer. Listen to the demo-tape that he will send you ."
In the meantime, I had gotten his demo-tape. I also listened to other demo-tapes. But I felt these other singers were limited in ability. But as for Zak, I understood from his tape that he was very promising. I felt the possibility that he could grow onto us. The other singers didn't have that. As I listened to other tapes I just couldn't hear that possibility in those voices. In Zak's case, it worked out, you can find that out that by comparing his demo-tape with the new album. He thought that he could do it and he could. He told me that too.

-Did you choose Zak after listening to the demo-tape? Did you give him another audition ?

Criss: No. It wasn't necessary. Zak just came to my house. I knew about him. Actually I told him that he would fit in well with us. You might say that was his audition. We have started to work with him at the same time. I thought that once he had started with us, he wouldn't go elsewhere. I have played in Savatage for a long time. I know what I want. As for Zak, he was what I had been looking for.

-I felt Zak's voice sounds like Jon's when I heard to new CD.

Criss: Yes.....and no. I noticed that when I played with Zak. But he was unlike Jon when I heard to the demo-tape. Zak's demo-tape didn't sound like Jon or anyone else. I noticed something in his melody and song. I was like, I want to work with Zak or something. That might be one of the reasons why we chose him. Zak has a strong voice. He was the best of all the singers. That was his own power. Zak did it all on his own. But now, I cooperate with him in doing the job and he gets better and better.

-Didn't you look for a singer that resembled Jon ?

Criss: I didn't chose the singer like that on purpose. There is a reminiscence of Jon in Zak's way of singing and working after all. But I didn't do it on purpose. I was looking for a different type of character when I was looking for a new singer. Like Queensryche's vocalist's type of voice and like Bruce Dickinson 's, for example. And, this is the result, though.

-Were you nervous to try out a different type of singer ?

Criss: Yes. To tell the truth, I was very nervous. We have played with Jon for a long time. Things were going to change someday but I had to do that. The record company and this band are more excited than ever before. Everybody believes that this album will get the full glare of publicity. Now it's just not over yet. The record company didn't know the future after Jon left. Finally, when they got new CD, their feelings were "Wow, What's going on ? It is just Savatage. It is a fresh and new face for Savatage. I feel fresh to come out. Jon is still involved with Savatage for 100 percent. He doesn't sing, but he is here.

-Did you think it was strange that you worked with a "non-singing Jon" in the studio? Criss: That was strange. We wrote tunes in our own small studio before going into the recording studio. Jon always worked with us at that time. But when Zak came to Florida for the first time... He stood there and sang. When I saw him.... The basic sound of the band, that is to say, Steve and Johnny didn't change. When I listened to a different voice singing our songs , I felt awfully strange. All of the members thought the same thing: " This is like a false illusion." That was the first time. Those feelings disappeared quickly. We still made a good record. We are happy with the way it is. Because this album the guitar playing is more powerful than ever. The sound is getting better. And I wrote almost all the music. So I am pretty happy. Jon and Paul wrote almost all the lyrics and tunes . Of course they wrote music too, but it's mostly my music, and their lyrics and tunes.

Criss and his favorite Gargoyle guitar.

-Did you start to write this album after Zak joined ?

Criss: The songs were almost finished before he joined. Jon and I went forward with that. But it was necessary to change after Zak joined. So we made a few modifications just to fit his voice. His voice wasn't a good fit for a few of the songs. So we made several improvements to the songs and we added a few songs. Jon's voice was a good fit for what we had . But Zak's voice wasn't a good fit. I mean Jon and I wrote a song as we were playing. Jon thinks of a lyric and tune as he is singing. That is Jon's voice. Of course, Zak would try everything, but he was different. I made songs with Jon, Paul and Zak. We started to rehearse with Johnny and Steve after we fixed the songs. Actually I rehearse with the band for a few months before I go into the studio. After that, recording and mixes take about 10 weeks. That is short, isn't it ? It was the shortest of all the albums we've done before. When I was recording "Streets A Rock Opera", I worked on a tune for 3 months before I got into the studio. Recording took a long time, about 6 months. Nevertheless I think "Edge Of Thorns" has the best sound. The sound is more powerful, in your face, I am listening to a clear instrumental sound.

-Was it difficult recording with a new member ?

Criss: No. I didn't think it was hard to play after Zak joined. He joined up with us like we were his family. I spent a lot of time with him. He lived in my house for 2 months when he came to Tampa for the first time. I got to know him for about 8 mouths. He has great humility is a nice guy and he's realistic. The rest of the members agree. He is a huge fan of Savatage. He has respected Jon. When I asked Zak to join Savatage, he was surprised. Because when I called him, he was in shock. After I got his demo-tape, I called him, at the time he was a member of Wicked Witch in Boston. I asked Dan not to tell him the reason when he asked Zak: "Please send me your demo-tape. But don't ask me what for and why."
He was speechless when I called him. I told Zak " I'm Criss of Savatage. I heard to your demo-tape." Zak said " What ? awawawa...!!" He couldn't find his words.

-Is it all right for me to assume that " Edge Of Thorns " is musically an extension of "Streets "?

Criss: No. They are really different stuff. The new CD doesn't have anything to do with the last album. The new CD is our new stuff and it's really different from "Streets". "Streets" is a composition that I wrote when I was depressed. Of course I love it very much but I feel blue to tell that story. Because the character of D.T. went under. But the new CD is positive.

-Jon was saying that he wanted to include a song like the series of D.T.JESUS. But it didn't get included, did it ?

Criss: NO. I didn't want to hold onto the past. This is a fresh composition and a new fresh Savatage. So noting of the old nature. Each song is a story of it's own. But it is only a story. I have nothing more to do with the old story. The first chapter is finished. This is the second chapter.The first chapter is over ! I am beginning to imagine the second chapter now. This part parrots Jon's ideas.

-As for your guitar playing, it gives Savatage it's distinct sound. I think you are bound to play in this style. What do you think about it ?

Criss: No. It is very improvisational. This album's guitar solo's and others were almost recorded in one take and it was very spontaneous. I finished it in only 10 weeks as I said earlier. One take was the solo, 80 percent. I wanted to keep everything fresh. If I play the same stuff over and over many times, the original feeling disappears.

-Even though you play lead you play an important role in a song structure. It's not like the usual lead guitar. To Make a long story short, your guitar play....

Criss: You just wanted to say I could control playing. It was about my guitar playing, wasn't it?

-No, I just wanted to say next that I think your guitar sings in song like a vocalist.

Criss: That's right ! I like it ! My guitar playing suits to express. Yeah, great !...GREAT. So "Edge Of Thorns" became an infallible album, both guitar and vocal-wise. It became hard rock.

-Do you intend to have the guitar sing consciously ?

Criss: No. It is natural. I have my own sound and my own style. Actually I have never practiced once. I've never stayed indoor improving my technique, like practice. I just begin to play a song on my guitar. When I stay home, I play the guitar naturally. But only in my own time and when I feel like it at home. Of course I play the guitar properly whenever we rehearse. But I've never practiced when I'm at home.

-Well did you try something new on the album when ZaK joined the band ?

Criss: I was inclined to play aggressively on this album. Instead of playing melodic, I tried to keep heavy as a whole. I think it is heavier than ever even though we changed the vocalist and Jon doesn't sing.

-You mean there was no possibility to do new things there before Zak joined ?

Criss: No. I thought that I could do anything. Before, now, and from now on. There isn't a limit.

-What is your favorite song on this album ?

Criss: "Damien" and "Conversation Piece". But I like all of this album. There is nothing I dislike on this album. There is always a certain song that makes no difference whether it's there or not on the other albums. For example, I don't care for "St.Patricks" and a couple of tunes in "Streets". In case of the "Hall Of The Mountain King" , I don't care for "The Price You Pay"... There were always some songs like that in the past but all songs were necessary for this album.

-Will Zak be involved in a team of songwriting with you, Jon and Paul ?

Criss: Of course. But it will depend on the situation. I am going to play and go on tour with him. I will see after a while with the passage of time. I told you before, he is growing on us. If he is fitting in, there is a strong possibility that he will write a song with us.

- Zak had something to do with "Skraggy's Tomb" ?

Criss: Yes. He brought in the song concept. Besides he brought in some melodic ideas. That is great ! The title of "Skraggy's Tomb" is also his idea. He got it from an old proverb. It means something like he was doing wrong with his friends.

-Now, We hope you will come to Japan again. I think Japanese fans are looking forward to seeing Zak.

Criss: Absolutely ! Japanese fans really like him a lot. Because he is young, good looking and thin ! Please tell the Japanese fans that "Savatage has become a good looking band" from me.
Anyway I want the Japanese fans to enjoy the new album. So, I just want to tell them, Jon is still in your hearts and still together with us. It is important to understand that.