Doctor Butcher

Vocalist Jon Oliva and guitarist/bassist Chris Caffery of Florida-based band Savatage celebrate their heavy metal roots with Doctor Butcher, a side project with Seven Witches drummer John Osborn. Oliva and Caffery were at a critical point in their careers when they launched Doctor Butcher. Their band, Savatage, had yet to regroup following the automobile death of Oliva's brother and founding guitarist, Criss, in 1993. Caffery, who had been a founding member of German band, Metalium, joined Savatage in 1990, helping to record the group's best album, Gutter Ballet. Although they regrouped briefly in 1995, with Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick replacing Criss Oliva, Savatage was unable to recapture their earlier momentum. Disbanding for three years, they returned in 1998 with the power-driven album The Wake of Magellan in 1998. The Final Bell followed in 2000. Doctor Butcher's eponymous album, initially released in 1995 on the Gun label, was reissued the following year by Crook'd. The label subsequently released The Demos, combining demos and live tracks from a 1993 concert. Although Caffery played bass on the group's recordings, Brian Gregory was added for live performances. ~ Craig Harris