SAVATAGE has confirmed its return to headlining concerts, marking its first non-festival show in over two decades.
The band played its first headlining concert in more than 20 years on April 21, 2025, at Espaço Unimed in São Paulo, Brazil, following a performance at the Monsters Of Rock festival at Allianz Parque.
The European leg of the 2025 tour included festival appearances at Hellfest in France and Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium.
The band's performance at the Amphitheater of Pompeii in Italy on July 27 featured a live orchestral arrangement, making it a unique and memorable event.
The show was supported by touring keyboardists Paulo Cuevas and Shawn McNair.
SAVATAGE's current lineup includes vocalist Zak Stevens, guitarists Al Pitrelli and Chris Caffery, bassist Johnny Lee Middleton, and drummer Jeff Plate.
Plate was replaced by Blas Elias for the first two shows of the 2026 'Prelude To Madness' European tour due to medical reasons.
The tour resumes with Plate returning for all subsequent dates.
The band's 2025 performances, including festival dates and Brazil, built on momentum from their 2015 Wacken Open Air performance, which drew 80,000 fans.
SAVATAGE's 1987 debut album 'Hall Of The Mountain King' and 1991 rock opera 'Streets' remain foundational to their legacy.
The band's 2001 release 'Poets And Madmen' marked the return of lead vocalist Jon Oliva after Zak Stevens' departure in 2000.
Guitarist Al Pitrelli left the band in 2000 to join MEGADETH, recording solos prior to his departure.
The 2026 'Prelude To Madness' tour features the full current lineup and will include orchestral arrangements as part of its presentation.
The Pompeii show was preceded by rehearsals with musical directors from TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, ensuring coordination between the band and orchestra.
The setlist included 'Overture' and 'Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)' as first-time performances since 1996 and 2015 respectively.
The performance at Pompeii featured live orchestral arrangements, with Johnny Lee Middleton performing the cover of 'Adagio In G Minor' by Tomaso Albinoni and Remo Giazotto."