Believe
Savatage · 1998
77 min · 16 tracks · heavy metal
Heavy metal melodies intertwine with progressive structures, creating an emotive soundscape that balances darkness and hope.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Believe Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's core themes of resilience and introspection, featuring soaring vocals and an anthemic chorus that showcases the band's signature style.
-
→
Handful of Rain — This track stands out for its poignant lyrics and haunting melody, reflecting the emotional weight of loss while highlighting Savatage's ability to blend heaviness with vulnerability.
-
→
Sarajevo — An instrumental piece that merges classical elements with metal, 'Sarajevo' exhibits the band's progressive influences while paying homage to historical events, further deepening the album's thematic richness.
-
→
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) — Originally released earlier as a single, this version captures the spirit of the season through its intricate arrangements, blending Christmas melodies with heavy metal intricacies, becoming a fan favorite.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic progression with emotional peaks
- wave-like pacing for immersion
- evocative moments for introspection
- live performances enhance energy
- for reflective evening sessions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Mature songwriting and intricate compositions mark this as a high point in their catalog.
- Themes
- loss and resilience· historical homage· Christmas in Sarajevo
- Career context
- Released on November 18, 1998, 'Believe' arrived during a transitional period for Savatage, following the tragic death of guitarist Criss Oliva in 1993. This album marked their return after a five-year hiatus and a shift in musical direction towards more melodic and introspective themes, showcasing their resilience and evolution as artists.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra· Iced Earth· Queensrÿche
Tracklist
- 1 Believe Start here 5:42
- 2 Visions 1:25
- 3 Taunting Cobras 3:21
- 4 Handful of Rain 5:23
- 5 Chance 7:50
- 6 Sarajevo 4:21
- 7 This Is the Time (1990) 5:41
- 8 This Isn’t What We Meant 4:13
- 9 Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) 3:22
- 10 Edge of Thorns (live) 6:22
- 11 Gutter Ballet (live) 6:47
- 12 The Dungeons Are Calling (live) 4:52
- 13 Sirens (live) 3:34
- 14 Criss Oliva Guitar Solo (live) 1:13
- 15 Hall of the Mountain King (live) 6:15
- 16 Alone You Breathe 7:28
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.