The Savatage solo album spectrum is largely unremarkable, as mainman Jon Oliva, former singer Zak Stevens and guitarist Chris Caffery have produced a batch of play-it-safe, tried-and-true records that most likely barely tickle the fancy of the Savatage contingent. Shame, ‘cause Oliva is one of the forerunners of putting drama into metal - his work on Streets and Gutter Ballet still resonating today – but an album like Global Warning will do little to perpetuate the Savatage brand.

Baring numerous similarities to 2006’s Maniacal Renderings, Global Warning is more of the same Broadway-tinged hard rock we’ve come to expect from the Mountain King. Problem is, it all sounds tepid and predictable. While there are some quality choral arrangements on “Look at the World” and driving guitar work and muscle on “Adding the Cost,” the majority of Global Warning consists of Oliva’s piano-driven balladry, especially the hokey “Walk Upon the Water,” “Before I Hang” and “The Ride.”

Oliva’s first solo effort, 2005’s ’Tage Mahal was the type of straight-forward, hard-nosed record Oliva needed to make for his initial solo album, but now it appears the man is bordering on auto-pilot. And while Oliva is arguably one of the top songwriting forces in the history of metal, his solo work needs a quick tune-up and fast, for we may never get another Savatage record.

www.myspace.com/jonoliva