Japan Live '94
| Japan Live '94 | ||||
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| Live album by Savatage | ||||
| Released | October 9, 1995 2000-11-14 (Nuclear Blast re-issue) |
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| Recorded | November 12, 1994 | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||
| Length | 59:32 (CD) | |||
| Label | SPV | |||
| Producer | Paul O'Neill | |||
| Savatage chronology | ||||
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| Live in Japan Cover | ||||
Alternative cover
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Japan Live '94 (also known as Live in Japan) a live album that was recorded by Savatage. The show that was recorded for the release was held in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan on November 12, 1994 and was the last show on the short Handful of Rain tour.
Due to a lack of time on the CD, the entire show was not released onto CD. Missing songs on the CD include "Conversation Piece", "Stare Into the Sun", "Damien" and "Hall of the Mountain King". However, when the concert was released to VHS, these songs were included.
The release also has two covers. One featuring both Johnny Lee Middleton and Zachary Stevens (Live in Japan), whilst the other features Zak Stevens on his own (Japan 'Live 94). Despite the CD jacket of the latter record depicting Zak wearing a T-shirt with a red and white circle and cross, Zak, in fact, wore a Corrosion of Conformity T-shirt at the concert, and it was likely "censored" due to label issues.
The show is noted for featuring Jon Oliva in a prominent role, his first since "leaving" the band in 1992. Jon has an extended piano intro on "Gutter Ballet" and shares lead vocals with Stevens, making it his first performance as a lead vocalist with the band for 2 years. Oliva also performs rhythm guitar for "Hall of the Mountain King".
The show was originally released on VHS in 1996 in Japan and in 1998 in North America. In 2000, plans were revealed for the show to be released onto DVD with a possibility of bonus content. A release date of October 2000 was publicised by the band, but possibly due to Nuclear Blast being bought by Century Media, the band were unable to release the DVD. Since then, there has not been an announcement of an official DVD release, although copies of the concert have been circulated on DVD. March 2010, a greatest hit compilation called Still The Orchestra Plays: Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2 will be released, with the '94 concert included on a bonus DVD. The quality hasn't improved much from the VHS-version.
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