JON OLIVA'S PAIN drummer Christopher Kinder has checked in a with a few words to SAVATAGE fans following BW&BK;'s recent interview with Jon Oliva (found here), in which Oliva essentially squashed all rumours of a Savatage reunion once and for all:

"Perhaps I could offer a bit of inside, honest dialogue of this ongoing situation. As one of a handful of people that has had the privilege and honor of recording and performing with such a talent for the past six years, I hope that my opinion will not be looked on as over-appreciation for what he has given all of us Oliva / JOP / Savatage / TSO fans.

In a nutshell, Jon Oliva wants to do what is best for Jon and most of all what is enjoyable to him now. He has a family to support, but he wants to enjoy the latter part of his career on his terms. He's not out there to be rock-star guy (which he never is).

JO is the most honest, caring and musically brilliant person you could ever meet. He doesn't waste his 'genius-time' worrying about anything else other than where the next great song might come from. He's a songwriter, focused 110%-24/7 on writing music that inspires him and what makes him happy....that's it!

JOP is no revenue stream for Jon, trust me! But it is what makes him happy! He freely admits that he is still traveling

his musical journey. JO is like the energizer bunny, and we all want a genius to do what he does best, so try to extend him a bit of happiness for all he has given us.

Media sorts focus on the questionable / negative aspects of anything because it gets you to go to their website or buy

their magazine. Oliva has done his very, very best to be HONEST about everything. He has released several formal statements with regards to this subject, and frankly he just wants some peace and for people to focus on the present and the real future.

Oliva/JOP pays homage to Savatage/Criss Oliva on every CD and every live show. He TRULY respects the fans, his past and knows that without that/you he would not be able to do what he does today. He has no desire to slow down...and we are already in pre-production with new material. And he is also working on other TSO projects as well.

Oliva does not focus one minute on the past or resurrecting it. And frankly if he did we would all support his decision to do so. He just wants the opportunity to share as many of his musical ideas to the world as possible as long as he is able...THAT'S IT!

JO has never, ever been on the internet, and I for one am thankful that he has not. No telling how the years of chatter might stifle his sheer artistry."

Watch for the new interview with Oliva discussing the new Jon Oliva's Pain album, Festival, coming soon.

A clip of the song 'The Evil Within' from Festival is available at this location. The song 'Living On The Ege' featured on the player below is also available at the same location.

'Living On The Edge'

More clips are due to be online soon. The complete album tracklist is as follows:

'Lies'

'Death Rides A Black Horse'

'Festival'

'Afterglow'

Living On The Edge'

'Looking For Nothing'

'The Evil Within'

'Winter Haven'

'I Fear You'

'Now'

Festival will be released worldwide on February 19th via AFM Records.