American progressive metal band formed in Tarpon Springs, Florida in 1979 by brothers Jon Oliva (vocals/keyboards) and Criss Oliva (guitar). Criss died in a car accident in 1993; Jon has continued the band intermittently with various lineups.
Eleven studio albums starting with Sirens (1983). Critical peak: the rock operas produced by Paul O'Neill — Hall of the Mountain King (1987), Gutter Ballet (1989), Streets: A Rock Opera (1991), and Dead Winter Dead (1995). The band's 1995 release of "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" eventually became the foundation of Paul O'Neill's Trans-Siberian Orchestra project.
