User Submitted Album

Hall of the Mountain King

Savatage

1987

2.82

Rating

Votes

Distribution

Metal

Album Summary

Hall of the Mountain King is the fourth studio album by the American heavy metal band Savatage, released in 1987 under the direction of producer Paul O'Neill. It is their first album produced by O'Neill, who was assigned to the band after the tour in support of Fight for the Rock. O'Neill's influence pushed Savatage to adopt a conceptual style beginning with this album. "Prelude to Madness" is an arrangement of Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from the Peer Gynt suite. Oddly, Grieg is not credited for this song, but for the following title track - which is an original song. The intro of "Prelude to Madness" features keyboards and guitar playing "Mars, the Bringer of War" from Gustav Holst's suite, The Planets. The song would be re-recorded by Trans-Siberian Orchestra in 2009 under the title of "The Mountain", appearing on that group's fifth studio album, Night Castle. "This Is Where You Should Be", recorded during the studio sessions for this album, was not included; years later it was released on compilations and album reissues. This was the first album to feature the album cover drawn by artist Gary Smith, who was responsible for lead guitarist Criss Oliva's airbrushed guitars at the time. Hall of the Mountain King reached position No. 116 in the US Billboard 200 albums chart. In 2017 and 2019, respectively, Loudwire and Metal Hammer ranked it as the 22nd and 8th best power metal album of all time.

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Reviews

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Sep 21 2025 Author

I was not expecting to see this here. Savatage is one of my favourite bands. This album through to Edge of Thorns is basically untouchable. 5/5.

Sep 27 2025 Author

Super enjoyed that; why can't more metal be fun?

Oct 05 2025 Author

I'm telling you right now before listening to a note, I'm giving this an extra star no matter what for album art straight out of the 80s Advanced D&D book cover portfolio. Hell yeah buff mountain god, electrocute those giant smoking chalices. OK, I'm back and this did not dissapoint, the music is basically the cover art. Which is a solid 3 out of 3 classic 80s metal on the proggish side. It put a smile on my face: no notes.

Oct 04 2025 Author

Some classical heavy metal (pun intended). The vocalist is amazing, some good riffs now and tegen. Cool album

Sep 29 2025 Author

OK, first time through I wasn’t entirely sold on this… but I was driving around and album repeat was apparently on and the second time through I enjoyed it more… kind of what you might look for if you are looking for some good 80s heavy metal.

Oct 02 2025 Author

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Beyond the doors of the dark, Strange wings, Hall of the mountain king, Castles burning

Oct 04 2025 Author

Metaaaaaal!

Oct 15 2025 Author

Would always go for Gutter Ballet, but title track is as great as ever. The other songs vary from ok-ish to (very) good: 7/10.

Nov 14 2025 Author

Not my type of music but really enjoyed this.

Sep 28 2025 Author

Some fun 80s hair metal, great organizing structure to take the classic Grieg track and incorporate it in as the melodic backbone of the album. A bit too much instrumentally at times and not always memorable, but an enjoyable listen and a decent dose of metal.

Nov 12 2025 Author

Classic metal, can make more room for this on the list.

Nov 12 2025 Author

Now *THERE's* an album cover! Extremely stupid cheesy 80s metal, which is usually a coin toss whether that'll be very fun or very annoying. This one is fun!

Nov 17 2025 Author

These guys are a sister group of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Apparently they made a concept album in the early 90's called Dead Winter Dead. It did surprisingly well, and inspired the members to create TSO to explore the genre of rock theatre. They remind me a lot of Iced Earth, Manowar or Saxon. Pretty solid 80's metal. And that album cover is a perfect power metal cover! Favorite songs: White Witch, Hall of the Mountain King, Strange Wings, Legions, The Price You Pay, 24 Hrs. Ago, Prelude to Madness Least favorite songs: Castles Burning 5/5

Oct 28 2025 Author

Metaaaaaal! 🤘🤘🤘

Nov 06 2025 Author

I feel really dumb for having slept on this when it came out in '87, because it's fantastic. Richly played and highly entertaining. I also love the economy of the whole production. It's a scant 39 minutes long, but every second feels substantial. Fave Songs: 24 Hrs. Ago, Beyond the Doors of the Dark, Hall of the Mountain King, Legions

Sep 21 2025 Author

Mid metal abundant

Sep 27 2025 Author

Not bad

Sep 30 2025 Author

Although I really enjoy metal, especially its more melodic variations, this album didn't resonate with me much, and I found it quite repetitive. It deserves an extra star from me, as I always enjoy metal versions of so-called "classical music" and they did it well enough for me.

Sep 30 2025 Author

Surprisingly good, but not especially interesting 3

Oct 17 2025 Author

Heavy metal, power metal. Ni fu ni fa.

Oct 17 2025 Author

Personally, I feel there are a lot of genre legends I would’ve gone for before this one, but in terms of representing the style it’s accurate. An enjoyable listen

Oct 23 2025 Author

Solid.

Oct 29 2025 Author

Hard rock típico de los años 80. Canciones con pegada, mezcla de diferentes grupos. No termina de enganchar, aunque el estilo gusta. Podría haber sido más épico

Oct 30 2025 Author

Hall Of The Mountain King is mostly an average at best tribute act for Iron Maiden based on style and presentation. I didn't mind it but I just wanted to listen to Maiden instead? A high 2 or a low 3, there are lots better examples of the genre but this was okay.

Nov 16 2025 Author

Heavy metal, power metal. Ni fu ni fa.

Nov 18 2025 Author

This sounds exactly like you think it’s going to

Sep 21 2025 Author

Not my favorite style of metal music. The power metal era always felt like it tried to be a faster more extreme sound that Black Sabbath made in the late 70s but without the ability to capture the same darkness. The longer high pitched notes have always been something I haven’t enjoyed in metal. Overall though there are a few songs that are good. The metal riff of the classical Hall of the mountain king and then the follow up song are both pretty solid. Overall though this isn’t something I’d revisit to listen to again for fun. 5.5/10

Sep 23 2025 Author

We must be near the end of the list. 5 votes for this album

Oct 16 2025 Author

If I can step outside my own cringe, there is obviously some talent here. But wow. This definitely isn't for everyone.

Nov 11 2025 Author

I know they’re being serious, but it’s too close to Spinal Tap not to laugh.

Nov 18 2025 Author

This iron maiden cover band is really cute. Maybe they'll make their own music someday.

Sep 23 2025 Author

Very ridiculous and over the top Heavy Metal. Did not know anything about this group. Funny they are connected with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This was about what I expected, fun and inconsequential.

Sep 30 2025 Author

Monday morning blues and I get this nonsense. Was this someone's guilty 80's pleasure? Or a joke.....

Oct 22 2025 Author

I’m not sure how I hadn’t heard of this band. Unfortunately, listening to this album didn’t make me think I should have. It’s a fine metal album. I just don’t think it’s a classic.