''Tage Mahal'' is a 2004 release by

Jon Oliva's Pain Jon Oliva's Pain (sometimes referred to as JOP) was the latest project of Savatage co-founder Jon Oliva. Band history Originally, the project consisted entirely of solo recordings by Oliva, but after several months of work he was joined by for ...

. It was the first non-Savatage related release by

Jon Oliva John Nicholas "Jon" Oliva (born July 22, 1959) is an American singer and musician. He is best known as the co-founder, keyboardist and lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Savatage, which he co-founded with his younger brother Criss Oliva. Sin ...

since 1994's ''

Doctor Butcher Doctor Butcher was a side project involving Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery of Savatage which released one major self-titled studio album in 1994. The original album title, ''A Living Hell'', was changed at the last minute. The project was born when ...

''. Ironically, just like

Savatage Savatage () was an American heavy metal band founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The band was first called Avatar, but, shortly before the release of their debut album '' Sirens'' (1983), they changed t ...

, the band faced a problem with its name. Oliva originally wanted to call the band 'Tage Mahal,ProgPowerUK II programme. Interview with Jon Oliva, page 7. as a homage to Savatage, although Oliva admits he could have called the band "Savatage, or Jon Oliva's Savatage, or Savatage Lite, but I didn't do that out of respect for the guys that were in Savatage." Prior to the album's release, Oliva discovered a blues musician

Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal (; ) is an Islamic ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1631 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan () to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mu ...

. Under the

Consumer Confusion Consumer confusion is a state of mind that leads to consumers making imperfect purchasing decisions or lacking confidence in the correctness of their purchasing decisions. Confusion Confusion occurs when a consumer fails to correctly understand o ...

law, the album would have been pulled off the shelves, despite the 'Tage spelling. Instead of holding the record up thinking of a new title, Oliva instructed SPV to simply swap the titles around. Oliva noted the album was "received great, but it sold shit because the record company didn't do anything with it" because Oliva believes the label wanted a new Savatage record, but both Oliva and long-time producer, Paul O'Neill said no. As a result, on the band's 2006 and 2007 tours, the band has not performed songs from the album as part of their set. The only song on the album not credited solely to Oliva, "The Nonsensible Ravings of the Lunatic Mind", which was co-written by Savatage guitarist

Chris Caffery Christopher Caffery (born September 9, 1967) is an American musician, best known for his work as a member of Savatage and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Recently, Chris has been pursuing a solo career, releasing four albums since 2004. Biography ...

, is an outtake from Savatage's most recent release, 2001's ''

Poets and Madmen ''Poets and Madmen'' is the eleventh studio album by American heavy metal band Savatage, released in 2001. It was their last album before their 12-year hiatus, which lasted from 2002 to 2014. The album has a loose concept inspired by the career ...

''.

Track listing

Personnel

– lead vocals, keyboards * Matt LaPorte – guitars * Jerry Outlaw – guitars (touring member) * Kevin Rothney – bass * John Zahner – keyboards * Christopher Kinder – drums * Steve Wacholz – drums on "No Escape" and "Nowhere to Run"

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tage Mahal 2004 albums Jon Oliva's Pain albums SPV/Steamhammer albums