Musically, several groups like Queensrÿche, Iron Maiden, Lord Bane, Tad Morose, Iced Earth, Crimson Glory, Fates Warning, King Crimson, Genesis and Savatage were once credited by the record label Locomotive as influential sources of inspiration for Anubis Gate.
Criss's unique playing style won him many fans, including Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, with whom Savatage toured in 1987 in support of Hall of the Mountain King.
Some initial demos were recorded with Hal Patino and Gene Barnett for Butcher, but bad press over Jon's health (he was still recovering from the drug and alcohol addiction he had during the late 80s and early 90s) lead Atlantic Records to make a decision - Doctor Butcher or Savatage.
During a performance at the UK's ProgPower festival in March 2007, Oliva and the band paid tribute to one of Savatage's works, Streets: A Rock Opera, by playing a majority of the album in running order for the first time as a "gift" to fans.
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The band's first performance was at the Criss Oliva Memorial Concert in 2003, where Oliva played a set of 6 songs from his solo catalog plus "In the Dream" from Power of the Night, "Hey Bulldog" by The Beatles and a cover of "Wishing Well" by the band Free (which was covered by Savatage on their album Fight for the Rock).
Jon Oliva's Pain, a US heavy metal band fronted by Jon Oliva (co-founder of the band Savatage)
Paul O'Neill described Smailović's performances as the inspiration for Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 by Savatage and the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
In 2000, Stevens quit Savatage, citing that he wanted to spend more time with his young family.