Acclaimed progressive metal pioneers SAVATAGE today announced their highly anticipated “Prelude To Madness” Tour, featuring nine headline performances and multiple festival appearances across Europe in summer 2026. The tour kicks off July 19 in Istanbul, Turkey, marking the band’s continued triumphant return to the stage, following their successful 2025 European comeback after a nearly two-decade hiatus. Armored Saint, Vision Divine, and Nevermore will join Savatage on select dates. The band is looking forward to a lot of firsts on this tour. In addition to cities the band has never played before, Savatage is doing a show at the historic setting of the famous Amphitheater of Pompeii, where they will perform alongside an orchestra for one unforgettable evening.
Fans can go to Savatage.com now to sign up for pre-sales beginning November 4th and tickets on sale to the general public beginning Friday, November 7th.
The 2026 tour promises to deliver an explosive setlist spanning the band’s catalog of classic anthems and deep cuts, reinforcing Savatage’s dedication to their legendary fanbase known as “The Legion.” Fans can expect the raw energy and musical craftsmanship that have been intensifying during the band’s transformative decade away from touring.
Singer, Zak Stevens, stated: “After last year’s amazing tours of South America and Europe, I’m VERY excited for the Savatage 2026 headline shows in Europe. This run is going to be awesome. This will be the first time Savatage has ever played in Istanbul, Bucharest, Este (Italy), Warsaw, and Leipzig (Germany). We’ve got nine headline shows lined up so far, along with a number of festivals. We are excited to see our old friends Armored Saint, Vision Divine, and Nevermore as special guests. I can’t wait to see everyone out there getting loud and celebrating the music with us.”
Savatage’s journey began in Tampa, Florida, founded by brothers Jon and Criss Oliva. Their story is one of both triumph and tragedy, marked by groundbreaking albums including the seminal 1987 release “Hall of the Mountain King” and the critically acclaimed 1991 rock opera “Streets,” both of which continue to resonate with fans worldwide. Following the untimely death of guitarist Criss Oliva after the success of 1993’s “Edge of Thorns,” the band persevered with renewed purpose, culminating in their transformative 1995 album “Dead Winter Dead.”
Throughout their four-decade career, Savatage have cultivated one of metal’s most passionate cult followings. During their nearly 20-year hiatus from touring, devoted fans continuously campaigned for the band’s return. Their electrifying reunion performance at Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival in 2015 captivated 80,000 fans and reaffirmed both Savatage’s legendary status and their audience’s unwavering devotion.
Building on the momentum from their 2015 Wacken triumph, Savatage made international headlines in 2025 with their first headline shows since 2002. The European dates successfully reunited multiple generations of “The Legion” – longtime devotees experiencing long-awaited performances alongside newcomers discovering the band’s power for the first time.
The 2026 “Prelude To Madness” Tour will feature Savatage’s current powerhouse lineup: vocalist Zak Stevens, guitarists Al Pitrelli and Chris Caffery, bassist Johnny Lee Middleton, and drummer Jeff Plate.
SAVATAGE “PRELUDE TO MADNESS” SUMMER 2026 TOUR DATES
3-6 June 2026 – Sweden, Sölvesborg – Sweden Rock Festival*
19 July 2026 – Istanbul, Turkey – Zorlu PSM Turkcell Sahnesi
21 July 2026 – Bucharest, Romania – Arenele Romane Open Air (Special Guest: Trooper)
23 July 2026 – Plovdiv, Bulgaria – BE4 Hills*
25 July 2026 – Athens, Greece – Release Festival*
27 July 2026 – Pompeii, Italy – Amphitheatre of Pompeii VERY SPECIAL SHOW WITH ORCHESTRA
28 July 2026 – Este, Italy – Castello Carrarese (Special Guest: Vision Divine)
30 July 2026 – Wacken, Germany – Wacken Open Air*
1 August 2026 – Tilburg, Netherlands – O13
3 August 2026 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7 Open Air (Special Guest: Nevermore)
5 August 2026 – Villena, Spain – Leyendas Del Rock*
7 August 2026 – Kortrijk, Belgium – Alcatraz Festival*
8 August 2026 – Hamburg, Germany – Elb-Riot*
9 August 2026 – Geiselwind, Germany – Keep It True*
11 August 2026 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja (Special Guests: Nevermore & Armored Saint)
12 August 2026 – Leipzig, Germany – Parkbühne (Special Guest: Nevermore)
13 August 2026 – Bonn, Germany – KUNST!RASEN (Special Guest: Nevermore)
15 August 2026 – Moravský Krumlov, Czech Republic – Rock Castle*
Ticket information and additional tour details will be announced soon.
*Festival appearance
ABOUT SAVATAGE
Savatage stands as one of progressive metal’s most influential and enduring acts. Over their storied career, the Tampa-based band has released eleven groundbreaking albums and performed hundreds of shows worldwide, pioneering a unique blend of thrash, progressive, power metal, and classic hard rock that has left an indelible mark on heavy music. Their innovative approach to concept albums and rock operas has influenced countless artists and earned them a devoted global following.
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