HOUNDS: "Dead Winter Dead" is the most successful album of yours so far, while the live album "Ghost in the Ruins" keeps  getting very good responses, What has changed in Savatage's music today, compared to the way it was in the 80s, and what is going to change in the future?
AL: It's hard to say for me, 'cause I was the last one to join the band, but as far as I can say, I think that the quality of the songwriting has bettered a lot. Jon and Paul , that are the main songwriters in the band, have greatly improved their songwriting style and as time went by, they also paid more and more attention to details that might seem secondary, such as arrangements and mixdown.  According to the things that Jon tells me, in the past they relied much more on their spur-of-the-moment genius and they preferred not to change too many things during the songwriting process, 'cause they were afraid to spoil things or lose power and strength. That's how "Sirens" and "Hall of..." were born: amazing riffs, but pretty loose and rough, more instinct than brain. Now we try to balance things a little better. "Dead Winter Dead" in my opinion was so highly appreciated by the fans  'cause it represents the perfect harmony betweens instinct and reason, power and melody. I myself believe it's an excellent record.

H: To carry Criss' legacy on one's shoulders is most surely a heavy burden. Alex Skolnik, who was a good friend of his, decided to modify here and there some leads according to his style . Did you have to cope with any pressures from the others about the way you were supposed to play with Savatage?
AL: No, not at all! And this is one of the things I love about this band. When I met Paul O'Neill, the album was almost done and there were only leads left to record, but he didn't think at all to tell me how to play. On the contrary, I remember that they were all trying to make me feeel at ease, to make feel one of them. They told me to play the way I liked, the way I have always done.  Later on I found out that Jon had bought all the Cds where I had played before and knew my style very well. I was very proud to go on tour with them , but it was really natural, thanks to the good friendship that was born between us.

H: Do you think that Savatage are your ideal band, or are you likely to start hopping again from one studio to another, as you did in the past?
AL: Oh, no!! I do feel at home here, and if they don't boot me out, I'm gonna stay here as long as I can! I believe Savatage are my ideal band because their music embraces a wide range of styles, and that's something I like, and with Savatage I have the chance to try and experience several new things, from jazz to classical music. And then we have fun together and it's the first time in my life, I start earning a little money. Why should I quit?  When I played with Asia, with Dee Sneider or Alice Cooper I was in awe of them because I was playing with my idols, and so their managers saw a chance to save money and I never really got paid enough! And more than that: I couldn't contribute in any way to the songwriting. They just wanted to see me in the studio sometimes, and didn't care for anything alse. With Savatage there's enought space for me into the arrangemet and songwriting thing, there's nothing I must be kept away from, and they're satisfied with what I've been doing so far. You'll see, it's gonna last!

H: Did you somehow contribute to "Ghost in the Ruins" or was it just a project for the "old" Savatage?
AL: No, I didn't contribute, I couldn't and I didn't want to because that live is a tribute from Jon and Paul to Criss and so a very emotional thing. It was their right to pick the songs they wanted on the album, and to decide everything about the mixdown and stuff. I think they made a wonderful job: the album kicks ass, Criss' guitar os breathtaking. A devastating live, really amazing!

H: What's the song you'r more satisfied with, or at least your fav. tunes on DWD album?
AL: Well, it's some kind of big suite, so it's hard to pick a song and take it out of its context. Each song has a meaning if you consider it as apart of the whole story, if you listen to them in a certain order. But all in all, I think that "This is the time" is the one that really stroke me, one of the deepest in meaning, and I like it cause it has the rhythm of a ballad, but actually isn't a ballad! Also "Doesn't matter anyway" is interesting because of several odd inserts.

H: Before you joined Savatage, what was your opinion about them?
AL: I knew who they were, but I haven't been listening to them as a fan till "Edge of Thorns", an album that really blew me away! Great guitar parts, and great style. I still think that no one will ever compare to Criss Oliva. They have always been a good band,  and good bands never lose their style.

H: Still talking about DWD, this is a concept-stiry that would certainly suit a movie version, isn't it? In the past Queensryche had the chance to make a movie out of their "Operation Mindcrime", but in the end it all turned into nothing. Have you ever thought about it?
AL: Have we ever thought about it? Well... then I have to give you some awesome news: next year we will start to film that movie! We have already agreed everything about the storyline and any possible change we could make witht he production. A few months ago we were contacted by the helping director of Martin Scorsese and he wanted to talk to us because he liked our album quite a lot. He will probably be the director, and I'm glad cause we were thinking exactly of someone like him for "our" movie. He's one of the last great durectors who can make such epic movies. The others are Francis Ford Coppola and Bernardo Bertolucci, who are brave enough for a story like ours. My favorite one was Serguio Leone, but unfirtunatly he's gone. And then, they're all Italian... just like us!

H: Right! I know your parents are Italian, right?
AL: Sure I am Italian, paisà! (and here he starts to talk in a funny, amazing mix of several italian dialects which is impossible to write!) ....Fratelli d'Italia! ....Schillaci è 'o più forte del monno! (should sound like: Schillaci is the best in the world ndT).... But in America we have Joe Montana that kicks ass! My mom is from Calabria, and my dad is from Palermo. Send my love to all the people in Calabria. I'm sorry I've never been there, it's the first time I come to Italy. Jon's grandparents are from Avellino, he made me try the Avellino sausage! And Johnny's grandma is from Venice... paisà, viva l'Italia!
 

* courtesy of our great friend Maurizio De Paola from "Thunder" and "Guitar Club" magazines - this interview dates back to Summer '96 **