Criss Oliva
Guitarist and songwriter for Savatage

Born
April 3rd, 1963
61 years ago
Died
October 17th, 1993
31 years ago — 30 years old
Category
Artists & Creatives
Country
United States
Links & References
A prominent American guitarist and songwriter, significant contributions to the heavy metal genre occurred through work with the band Savatage. The band gained recognition for its unique blend of progressive and heavy metal sounds. Criss Oliva's guitar work and songwriting played a critical role in shaping the band's identity. The album 'Hall of the Mountain King' released in 1987 received acclaim and is considered a hallmark in heavy metal music. Oliva's style combined technical proficiency with melodic riffs. His life was abruptly cut short in 1993, but his legacy continues to influence guitarists and metal musicians.
Played guitar and wrote songs for Savatage
Contributed to the album 'Hall of the Mountain King'
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