Released	March 22, 1984 (U.S.) July 1985 (UK)
Recorded	January 1983 at Morrisound Studios, Tampa Florida, USA
Genre	Heavy metal, speed metal
Length	24:54
Label	Combat Records

The Dungeons Are Calling is the second studio album by Savatage, released in 1984 on Combat Records. Though the album was not released until 1984, most of the songs featured on the album and Sirens had been in the bands set list since 1979, and were part of the Live In Clearwater and City Beneath The Surface EP’s. Though it is a loosely based concept album, the title track, contrary to popular belief, is not about Hell or torture. The song is about the horrors of drug use. The song used many metaphors, which have been sometimes misunderstood.^[3]

The tracks on this album were recorded on the second day of the three day process that encompassed the band’s previous album, Sirens, in 1980. This album, as well as Sirens, has been cited by many death metal bands as a major influence. Critics and fans alike consider this EP and Sirens to be the two earliest examples of death metal music, with some even calling this album the first ever death metal album.

The album cover is a picture of a human skull with a homemade syringe, the cover is in reference to the title track of the album.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	“The Dungeons Are Calling”	Jon Oliva, Criss Oliva, Keith Collins	4:55
2.	“By the Grace of the Witch”	Jon Oliva, Criss Oliva	3:16
3.	“Visions”	Jon Oliva, Criss Oliva	3:05
4.	“Midas Knight”	Jon Oliva, Criss Oliva, Keith Collins	4:24
5.	“City Beneath the Surface”	Jon Oliva, Criss Oliva	5:49
6.	“The Whip”	Jon Oliva	3:31

Lyrics

1. The Dungeons Are Calling

down in the dungeons
of concrete and terror
candles light the way
can you hear me say?
the dungeons are calling
the dungeons are calling for me

I can’t escape
this den must be hell
pleasures of freedom
denied me in this cell
I steal from my friends
victims of my pain
its nearing the end
I live like the dead

the dungeons are calling
calling for me–oh!
the dungeons are calling
the rack waits for me

down in the dungeons
I’m locked away
suicide ride
I take everday
prisoner in hell
victim in pain
the dungeons are calling for me

none of my friends
want to come out and play
they think I’m crazy
but what can I say?
prisoner in hell
victim in pain
it’s nearing the end
I live like the dead

the dungeons are calling
calling for me
the dungeons are calling
the rack waits for me

2. By The Grace Of The Witch

alone in the darkness
lonely and scared
you’re in fear of your life
deadly witch’s crystal
sensing your fears
my spell is cast on you
my little dear

do you feel you’re captured by the grace of the witch
do you feel you’re captured by the grace of the witch

look into my eyes
I’m poisoning you
I watch as you
grovel in my stew
I’m bastardized
cursed by sin
come on down to hell
watch the flames begin

I’ve got evil on my mind
my power so divine
my spells cannot be broke
until I hang the rope
I am not alive or dead
I’m a spirit dressed in red
I come from the grave
your soul I plan to take

do you feel you’re captured by the grace of the witch
do you feel you’re captured by the grace of the witch

look into my eyes
I’m poisoning you
I watch as you
grovel in my stew
I’m bastardized
cursed by sin
come on down to hell
watch the flames begin

do you feel you’re captured by the grace of the witch
do you feel you’re captured by the grace of the witch

3. Visions

black is the night
Satan laughing with delight
he’s calling you
to be a servant of his voodoo
when the hour strikes 13
listen to the spirits as they scream
your name

beware–guard your soul
Sodom is the place
you’re gonna go
visions of hell, what a thrill

walls aflame
breathing deep
you seem in pain
a lake of fire
your resistance
starts to tire
when the day numbers one
you’ll become one of his sons

beware–guard your soul
Sodom is the place
you’re gonna go
visions of hell

light is black
Satan starts his work of terror
look out–beware
when a pair of
eyes begin to stare
he knows which ones to take
God help me for heaven’s sake

beware–guard your soul
Sodom is the place
you’re gonna go
visions of hell
visions of hell many many times

4. Midas Knight

riding the night
on his solid gold steed
ready to battle
and answer his need
computerized man
a digital clone
thing from the past
his origin unknown

midas knight
midas knight

standing alone
facing the world
bright crimson banner
he unfurls
trespassing force
soul armored in black
soldiers of Satan
on the attack
a pass of his lance
a slash of his sword
go to your knees
must bow to the Lord

midas knight
he rides from the sun
midas knight
he rides for the one
midas knight
midas knight
once a prisoner in hell
now he’s gone
midas knight
rides from the sun
midas knight fade out

5. City Beneath The Surface

hi- welcome to hell
you are all here
for this where you must dwell
sinners and cheats
sit here with Satan
and have all your spirits meet

oh city beneath the surface above
how you survive on evil and blood
you breathers in this space
you never can leave this place

die-we all must die
how will you face it
when you bend to your knees and cry
burn-like witches burn
when will you sinners believe
that it’s your time to learn?

oh city beneath the surface above
how you survive on evil and blood
you breathers in this space
you never can leave this place

you breathe earth’s inner space
you never can leave this place

punished for the way that you lived
raping and stealing
but never one thought to give
here forever-not a trail or a trace
total illusions of tales
of the unholy place

6. The Whip

baby better get it straight
I’m a nasty kinda date
I like to do it hard
crack the whip
till you’re scarred

down-down on your knees
give a kiss and a squeeze
yea-like you to open wide
baby baby gonna come inside, yeah yeah

the whip is gonna get you
drop you to your knees
the whip is gonna get you
drop you to your knees
down on your knees

baby-baby-don’t you go
can’t you see I want some more
with the whip in my hand
got you at my command, yeah

down-down on your knees
give a kiss and a squeeze
yea-I’m gonna stay up late
my baby won’t have to wait

the whip is gonna get you
drop you to your knees
the whip is gonna get you
drop you to your knees
No!

the whip is gonna get you
drop you to your knees
the whip is gonna get you
drop you to your knees
Oh, yeah!

7. Fighting For Your Love

Never thought you’d go away
Did not believe the things you’d say
Now you’re gone
I don’t understand why you’d leave for some distant land
Can we talk before you go
I’m calling out your name
But you can win again

Fighting, I fight for your love
I’m fighting, fight for your love

Still I look all over for you
There’s nothing left that I can do, yeah babe
You’re on the streets
You know it’s wrong
It’s not where a woman belongs
Better run while you can
I’m calling out your name
But you can win again

Fighting, I fight for your love
I’m fighting, fight for your love

Did you leave me to it all
To see us anymore
I’m calling out your name
You can win again

Fighting, I fight for your love
I’m fighting, fight for your love

8. Sirens

On the sea
They heard the voices sing
Through the storm
The island’s closing in
They’d heard tales
Of lives lost at sea
Deserted beach just beyond their reach
You’re approaching the island of the

Sirens
Sirens
Hungry for man tonight
Sirens
Sirens
Claiming the sailors’ lives

Nine men made it to a shore
A night of terror
Lies neatly in store
Who are those women?
Are they real?
Is this just a crazy dream?
You’re approaching the island of the

Sirens
Sirens
Hungry for flesh tonight
Sirens
Sirens
Claiming the sailors’ lives

Terror happens quickly
Remains till the sailor are gone
They vanished in the night
Sirens singing their song
Whoa–till they’re gone…

ALL RIGHT!!