Avatar was an American heavy metal band formed in Tarpon Springs, Florida, in 1978 by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva. Operating out of a local rehearsal shack dubbed "The Pit", they honed a heavy, progressive sound. Shortly before their 1983 debut, they changed their name to Savatage due to trademark issues. 
Formation & Early Days
  • The Founders: Brothers Jon Oliva (vocals) and Criss Oliva (guitar) initially formed a band called Metropolis U.S.A. in 1977 before rebranding as Avatar in 1978.
  • The Lineup: The classic Avatar lineup solidified when they were joined by drummer Steve "Doc" Wacholz and bassist Keith Collins.
  • Rehearsal Space: Their early, visceral sound was forged in a backyard shack in Tarpon Springs, Florida, referred to by the band as "The Pit".
Notable Local Gigs
  • The Kmart Show: The band gained local notoriety by playing an impromptu gig on the back of a flatbed semi-trailer in the Kmart/Grand Union parking lot across from the Countryside Mall, located in the Clearwater/Tampa Bay area.
The Name Change to Savatage
  • The Reason: Right before the release of their debut full-length record, Sirens (1983), the band discovered that another group had already claimed the name Avatar.
  • The Rebranding: They decided to combine the words "Savage" and "Avatar" to create the moniker Savatage, setting the stage for their rise in the 1980s and 1990s American heavy metal scene.
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Avatar Releases
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Living for the Night - Demo
​Released in February 3, 1983 on Par Records 
Original cover art

1. Out on the Streets 3:58  
2. Visions of Hell  
3. Twisted Little Sister 3:38  
4. City Beneath the Surface 5:33  
5. Sirens 3:22  
6. The Whip 3:16
The lineup for the Avatar Demo was Criss Oliva (Guitars), Jon Oliva (Vocals),
​Steve "Doc" Wacholz aka "Doctor Hardware Killdrums" (Drums), and Keith "Thumper" Collins (Bass).
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City Beneath the Surface EP
​​Released in September 22, 1983 on Par Records  Recorded at Morrisound Recording Studios in Tampa, Florida


Side A
1. City Beneath the Surface 5:33  

Side B
2. Sirens 3:22 
3. The Whip 3:16
The lineup for City Beneath the Surface was Criss Oliva (Guitars), Jon Oliva (Vocals),
​Steve "Doc" Wacholz aka "Doctor Hardware Killdrums" (Drums), and Keith "Thumper" Collins (Bass).
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Beyond the Doors of the Pit
​​Released in 1999 on Par Records, Features tracks from The Pit rehearsal demos 1979-1982


1. Disbeliever 2:45 
2. Do You Want Me Now 3:17 
3. No More Saturday Nights 5:12 
4. Love Me Just a Little Bit 3:37 
5. Ordinary Situation 4:28 
6. When the Hammer Comes Down 3:01 
7. Diamonds in Your Eyes 4:21 
8. Walk upon the Water 5:08 
9. I Need Your Loving 2:48 
10. You Said 4:52 
11. It's Only You 3:46 
12. The Reggae Song 4:21
The lineup for Beyond the Doors of the Pit was Criss Oliva (Guitars), Jon Oliva (Vocals),
​Steve "Doc" Wacholz aka "Doctor Hardware Killdrums" (Drums), and Keith "Thumper" Collins (Bass).
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