Reformed progressive metal legends SAVATAGE may be returning to North America sooner than fans think. Guitarist Chris Caffery, speaking with Matt Capitano of the Face The Music podcast, described the band's recent comeback performances in South America and Europe as nothing short of spectacular — and hinted that U.S. shows are firmly on the horizon.
"It's been amazing. And I think it's better than I could have hoped for," Caffery said. "People have been so excited. And there's been so many new fans that never had a chance to see us before. And some of the old ones that are arriving to the shows with their children — the kid never had a chance to see SAVATAGE. So we're meeting their families as they bring 'em to the shows."
Caffery credited the band's meticulous preparation for the overwhelmingly positive response. "The fans that used to go see us all the time that would brag to their friends — 'You gotta see this band live' — I think we lived up to their memories. So when they brought their friends out, they were, like, 'See.' We didn't let anybody down."
The guitarist was particularly moved by working through the solos of his late bandmate, the iconic SAVATAGE guitarist Criss Oliva, who passed away in 1993. Caffery said he went back and carefully studied the original recordings in greater detail than ever before.
As for U.S. shows, Caffery was clear: "I just don't know exactly when or how." But the desire is unequivocal — SAVATAGE's North American fanbase has been waiting over two decades, and the guitarist knows it well.