Handful of Rain

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Handful of Rain is the eighth studio album by American

heavy metal band Savatage, released in 1994. The first Handful of Rain
album since the death of their lead guitarist, Criss Oliva, the
music is often dark in reflection of brother Jon Oliva's loss.

The title track was originally released as an abridged version,

missing its second verse. Some editions of the album (for
instance, the "Rock Masters" version released on the iTunes
Store) include the omitted piece, referred to by the band and
fans alike as "The Barmaid Verse". "Chance" is about Chiune
Sugihara,[2] a Japanese diplomat in Lithuania during World
War II who defied government orders by signing exit visas
for thousands of Jewish refugees. "Castles Burning" is about
Giovanni Falcone,[2] an Italian magistrate killed by the mafia
in 1992. "Alone You Breathe" is a tribute to Criss which Studio album by Savatage
reuses the chord progression (albeit in a different key) and Released August 16, 1994
lyrics from the Streets song "Believe" in its long coda, and Genre Heavy metal
also part of the ending chorus in the Gutter Ballet song
Progressive metal
"When The Crowds Are Gone", although the lyrics do not
mirror his death and the songs are not literally about him. Length 49:03
The tour in support of this album was documented in the live Label Atlantic/Wea
release, Japan Live '94, which was released in 1995.
Producer Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill
Handful of Rain marked the only time that Savatage had Savatage chronology
recorded together as a three-piece, their only release with
Edge of Thorns Handful of Rain Dead Winter
then-former Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick (who had
(1993) (1994) Dead
replaced Criss), and their only one without Johnny Lee
(1995)
Middleton (who is credited on the insert, but does not
actually perform) since 1985's Power of the Night. Drummer Singles from Handful of Rain
Steve Wacholz (also credited) had already left Savatage by
the time the album was recorded. Instead of replacing 1. "Handful of Rain"
Middleton and Wacholz, Jon provided both drums and vocals Released: 1994
on the album as well as lead and rhythm guitar, piano, bass,
2. "Chance"
keyboards and backing vocals. The album also marks the
first time Savatage would write a trademark vocal Released: 1995
counterpoint in a song. The third section of "Chance" has at
one point, five overdubbed vocals from singer Zak
Professional ratings
Stevens.[2]
Review scores
Source Rating

Contents Allmusic [1]

1 Reception
2 Track listing
3 Personnel
3.1 Credited line-up
3.2 Actual line-up
3.3 Touring line-up
4 References
Reception
Sea of Tranquility reviewer Murat Batmaz awarded the album five stars and noted: "Handful of Rain in many
ways marked the beginning of a new chapter in Jon Oliva's career, considering it was the first ever album
written, recorded and produced without his brother Criss Oliva who was tragically killed in a car accident in
late 1993. Given that Criss was the primary songwriter and guitarist of the band, it was believed that Savatage
would be no more, and every member took a break before deciding what they'd do with their lives. And even
though the booklet credits the full band, every instrument was played by Jon Oliva, including rhythm guitars,
some acoustic bits, bass, and drums. It was only at the final moment when they brought in vocalist Zak Stevens
and former Testament guitar player Alex Skolnick to lay down some leads. So in a way, Handful of Rain could
be considered Jon Oliva's first solo effort with some lyrical input and creative arrangement ideas from producer
Paul O'Neill."[3] He also added that this album may be Zak Stevens' best ever vocal performance, commenting
"The lyrics of "Alone You Breathe" are heart-wrenching. At one point towards the end, they borrow the famous
"I am the way, I am the light" chorus which was previously used on "When the Crowds Are Gone" and
"Believe", and in a way complete the trilogy, except that they are sung by Zak Stevens this time. Zak is at his
best on this album: his voice oozes sheer emotion and his singing is indelible."[4]

Track listing

Original CD release
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Taunting Cobras" Jon Oliva 3:21
2. "Handful of Rain" Jon Oliva 5:01
3. "Chance" Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill 7:50
4. "Stare Into the Sun" Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill 4:43
5. "Castles Burning" Jon Oliva 4:39
6. "Visions" (Instrumental) Criss Oliva, Jon Oliva 1:25
7. "Watching You Fall" Jon Oliva 5:20
8. "Nothing's Going On" Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill 4:09
9. "Symmetry" Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill 5:04
10. "Alone You Breathe" Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill 7:30
1997 Edel Music CD reissue bonus tracks
No. Title Writer(s) Length
11. "Somewhere in Time/Alone You Breathe" (Acoustic Criss Oliva, Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill 4:38
version)

2002 SPV CD reissue bonus tracks

No. Title Writer(s) Length
11. "Chance" (Radio Edit) Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill 4:50
12. "Alone You Breathe" (Acoustic version) Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill 4:38
2011 EarMusic CD reissue bonus tracks
No. Title Writer(s) Length
11. "Summer's Rain" (Acoustic version) Criss Oliva, Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill 5:29
12. "Believe" (Acoustic version) Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill, Criss Oliva 3:52

Personnel
Due to the shake-up in the band following Criss's death, the line-ups were somewhat unclear at the time.
Drummer Steve Wacholz left the band and did not play on the album, but he is pictured in the album to
maintain a more "classic" Savatage line-up. Bassist Middleton was apparently still too much in shock about
Criss to go into the studio and record, but remained part of the band. Jeff Plate did not play the drums on the
album, but was pictured as part of the band line-up in one edition of the album. Plate would become a full-
fledged member of the band by the time of their next release, Dead Winter Dead in 1995.[2]

For the recording of the album, Jon Oliva ended up going into the studio, accompanied by producer, co-writer
and co-lyricist Paul O'Neill, and recorded all of the instrumental parts (keys, rhythm guitars, bass, drums) by
himself. The pair then enlisted former Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick to record most of the guitar solos, and
subsequently contacted vocalist Zak Stevens to record the vocal parts for the album.

The touring band consisted of Zak Stevens on lead vocals and Johnny Lee Middleton on bass guitar as the only
remaining members of the previous lineup. The tour also featured the official return of Jon Oliva to the band,
who played keys, rhythm guitar and also performed vocals on several songs. The line-up was rounded out by
lead guitarist Alex Skolnick, who had also recorded on the album, and Jeff Plate, a former bandmate of Zak
Stevens, on drums.

Credited line-up
Zachary Stevens - vocals
Alex Skolnick - guitar
Johnny Lee Middleton - bass
Steve Wacholz - drums

Actual line-up

Jon Oliva - rhythm and lead guitar, bass guitar, piano, keyboards, drums, backing vocals
Zachary Stevens - vocals
Alex Skolnick - lead guitar

Touring line-up
Zachary Stevens - lead vocals
Jon Oliva - keyboards, rhythm guitar, vocals
Alex Skolnick - lead guitar
Johnny Lee Middleton - bass
Jeff Plate - drums

References
1. Handful of Rain (http://www.allmusic.com/album/r203791)at AllMusic
2. "Savatage FAQ, Section 2 - The Albums, Part 2"(http://www.savatage.com/bandinfo/faq3.html). Savatage.com.
Retrieved 2008-05-16.
3. "Sea of Tranquility - Handful of Rain review"(http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=490
6//).
4. "Sea of Tranquility - Handful of Rain review"(http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=490
6//).

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Categories: 1994 albums Atlantic Records albums Savatage albums

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