One of the most profoundly powerful and yet truly underrated metal vocalists of our present day is Jon Oliva of Savatage/TSO/Jon Oliva’s Pain fame. Without a doubt he stands with a uniqueness all his own. Although he has been told he sounds like he gargles with razor blades and was once even compared to Jesse Dupree of the band Jackyl (now that’s a stretch), he has remained a forceful entry into the world of metal for more than two decades and continues to impress with each subsequent new release. I recently scored some quality one on one chat time with the mountain king himself, sans the annoying cries of a baby in the apartment next to me (damn paper thin walls). In this most down to earth, witty, up front and often humorous conversation we discussed the latest Jon Oliva’s Pain CD Festival, which he compares to the mastery of Savatage’s Hall of the Mountain King, as well as the origins of his “pain in the ass”, his contribution to Tobias Sammet’s latest Avantasia project, TSO plans and a U.S. tour for JOP. Lend an ear and hear why Jon is still on top of his game and one of the finest musicians in the biz today.