Savatage: Temporary Line-Up Change for Two Shows of the "Prelude To Madness" Summer Tour 2026

Photo Credit: Annie Atlasman

Progressive metal pioneers Savatage can't wait to return to Europe in just a few weeks with their highly anticipated "Prelude To Madness" Tour, featuring nine headline performances and multiple festival appearances across Europe this summer. The 2026 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, who has now announced that a good friend will take his place behind the drums for the first two shows — Sweden Rock and Heavy Week-End in early June. Here's the statement straight from Jeff himself:

"Hey Savatage fans, hey friends. Jeff Plate here. I hope everyone is doing well, getting ready for summer and getting ready to enjoy some live music wherever you might be. Speaking of, Savatage has two amazing shows coming up in the first week of June. For the very first time, the band will be performing at Sweden Rock on June 4, followed by Heavy Week-End in France on June 5. Sharing the stage with Iron Maiden and Sabaton respectively, these are going to be fantastic shows.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to be there with the band for these two shows. Three years ago I experienced very intense, chronic nosebleeds which resulted in some dangerous blood loss and serious health concerns. This issue was taken care of surgically and all has been good — until a few weeks ago, when the bleeds started again. Having gone through this before, my management and I decided it was best that I not travel, especially by air, until this issue is again addressed and resolved. In my place will be Blas Elias, who has been part of the Savatage/TSO family for a decade and is the perfect man for the job. Blas is a huge fan of the music and has already played some of these songs live with TSO. His years working with Al Pitrelli and Johnny Middleton will make this a seamless transition — the band will be tight and flawless and sound fantastic.

It goes without saying how disappointed I am, but things happen and health is the obvious priority. Having said that, I am confident my doctors will take care of this problem and I will be back with the band in July for the next run in Europe. Thank you in advance for your concern, support, and well wishes. If you are lucky enough to see Savatage at these festivals, raise your fists, sing along, and enjoy some of the best progressive metal music ever written! Take care, everyone — I will see you soon!"

The "Prelude To Madness" Tour promises an explosive setlist spanning the band's catalog of classic anthems and deep cuts, reinforcing Savatage's dedication to their legendary devoted 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. The tour marks the band's continued triumphant return to the stage, following their successful 2025 European comeback after a nearly two-decade hiatus, with Armored Saint, Vision Divine, and Nevermore joining Savatage on select dates. Looking ahead in their four-decade career, the band is also looking forward to a number of firsts on this upcoming tour — including cities they've never played before and a show at the historic Amphitheatre of Pompeii, where they will perform alongside an orchestra for one unforgettable evening.

SAVATAGE "PRELUDE TO MADNESS" SUMMER 2026 TOUR DATES

4 June 2026 –Sölvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival*
5 June 2026 – Maxeville/Nancy, France – Heavy Week-End*
19 July 2026 – Istanbul, Turkey – Life Park (NEW VENUE)
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 Athens*
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 – Elbriot*
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*

*Festival appearance

Get your ticket here.
https://www.savatage.com/tour