'Dead Winter Dead' see 'Savatage' returning to the more familiar territory of a full concept album opposed to the more eclectic 'Handful of Rain'. This time around the story explores the Yugoslavian conflict of the early 90's and has more of an 'Edge of Thorns' or even 'Streets' feel to the aforementioned album. 'Dead Winter Dead' also sees line-up changes with longstanding drummer 'Steve Wacholz' being replaced by 'Jeff Plate', while guitarist 'Alex Skolnick' makes way for 'Al Pitrelli, whose style in my opinion is more inline with the 'Savatage' sound. 'Jon Oliva' also makes a welcome return to his frontman roll contributing vocals on a couple of tracks, while as always co-writing and producing all the material with 'Paul O'Neill'.

The atmospheric / foreboding instrumental 'Overture' opens is splendid form, creating a solid foundation for the album and in turn gives way to the darker, brooding 'Sarajevo' which highlights some precision vocal from 'Zak Stevens'. Ensuing strongly is the passionately penned 'This is the Time', personally I think 'Zak' sings too aggressively at times for this very melodic track, but that said still a cracking cut, further braced by some delightful instrumentation. The tempo is lifted for the more forceful 'I Am' which welcomes back 'Jon Oliva' on vocals, not one of the most refined songs present, but 'Jon's' snarling is fitting for this part of the story. The pace softens for the melodic, subtle intro to 'Starlight', only to pick up momentum and precedes as a nasty brooding rocker, that's graced with hard hitting 'Zak Stevens' vocals and sweet guitar work from 'Al Pitrelli' and 'Chris Caffery'. 'Jon Oliva' again takes over the vocal roll for 'Doesn't Matter Anyway' a swaggering, grooving piece that highlights more fine work from 'Al Pitrelli' and plenty of strong work from the rhythm section. Next up is superbly sung 'This Isn't what we Meant' which sees 'Zak Stevens' on excellent form, overall though perhaps the song sounds a little recycled from 'Streets' / 'Edge of Thorns', that said still quality and graced with another glorious 'Pitrelli' solo. The crafted instrumental 'Mozart and Madness' succeeds and despite a slightly sluggish beginning picks ups throughout and features some clever neo-classical work around mid track- ultimately perhaps a bit longwinded. A short and rather dull instrumental 'Memory' acts as an introduction to the harder rocking title track 'Dead Winter Dead' a powerful song, supported by solid vocals and some of the heaviest and finest guitaring on the whole album- one of my favourites. Not in the same league is the laboured and disjoined 'One Child' which is easily the dullest song present, the theatrical mid section does nothing to help matters. Much finer is the superb instrumental 'Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)' a gloriously executed piece which features healthy orchestral backing, the guitar sound throughout is magnificent and despite stealing parts from the tradition song 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' a thorough gem. Last but not least is the balladsy 'Not What you See' which to my ear sounds recycled from other 'Savatage' ballads and this isn't one of their best- too predictable.

Bonus tracks included with the 2002 re-released version include an acoustic piano version of 'All that I Bleed' from 'Edge of Thorns', a decent version but not one of my favourites, while the acoustic version of 'Sleep' is beautifully sung and probably betters the original.

Another wonderfully penned 'Savatage' concept album with the usual impressive execution, perhaps not enough tracks leave lasting memories ('Christmas Eve' is an exception) but still another winner from a chronically underrated band.