However, tragedy struck when Criss Oliva was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver on October 17, 1993. Jon chose to continue the band, although he has since admitted that the band was pretty much over after Criss's death, but only kept going because of his memory and to "keep his music alive". Savatage's 1994 album "Handful of Rain" is considered Jon Oliva's tribute to his brother. He recorded the album along with Stevens and Alex Skolnick, formerly of Testament. Even though the other Savatage members are credited, Oliva plays the majority of the instruments. Jon made a return to the fore of Savatage on their live release "Japan Live '94" which saw him take up lead vocal duties for the first time since 1992, performing a duet on "Gutter Ballet".