Napalm Records
28 February 2025
Genre: Symphonic Rock/Metal
Links: https://avantasia.com/
Line Up:
Tobias Sammet : Vocals, Keyboards, Bass
Sascha Paeth : Guitars
Guest / additional musicians
Geoff Tate : Vocals (track 2)
Michael Kiske : Vocals (track 3)
Bob Catley : Vocals (track 6)
Kenny Leckremo : Vocals (track 9)
Roy Khan : Vocals (track 10)
Herbie Langhans : Vocals
Adrienne Cowan : Vocals
Chiara Tricarico : Vocals
Tracklist:
1 Creepshow
2 Here Be Dragons
3 The Moorland At Twilight
4 The Witch
5 Phantasmagoria
6 Bring On The Night
7 Unleash The Kraken
8 Avalon
9 Against The Wind
10 Everybody’s Here Until The End
Well here we are —Avantasia’s tenth album. That’s right, German rocker Tobias Sammet has now released as many albums as there are Fast & Furious movies, and much like that franchise, he shows no signs of slowing down. What started in 2001 as a side project while he was fronting Edguy, he has since turned this project band into one of the leading rock opera acts in metal. Tobias had a dream: to make music with his heroes. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to start a band where they get to jam with their idols? Even I, your humble guest writer here at MyGlobalMind, was deeply inspired by Avantasia: The Metal Opera I & II and completed a similar project of my own.
Now, let’s address the fire-breathing elephant in the room: the dragon on the album cover. Or is it a wyvern? Because apparently, some dragonologists (yes, that’s a thing) are very passionate about the number of legs a mythical creature should have. Either way, it’s a bold departure from the Tim Burton-esque fever dream aesthetic he’s been rocking since The Scarecrow. That said, Tobias is still rocking his misfit “Cat in the Hat” top hat and wielding that mysterious cane in his music videos. Much like the “Cat in the Hat”, this seemingly Halloween loving rocker tames havoc and chaos and makes it look clean by the end.
Given Tobias and Sascha Paeth’s tendency for layering everything short of the kitchen sink into their songs, you really need to buckle up and pay attention. First impressions? The mix and production are absolutely pristine. It sounds fantastic in the car and with headphones on, you really can catch every little sonic nuance. The drums by Felix Bohnke (Edguy) are a solid foundation on every track. This guy is a talented and creative drummer and whose performances have impressed Geoff Tate so much, he invited him on his own tours live.
Alright, enough preamble—let’s dive in and break it down, track by track!
Avantasia at Masters of Rock 2024 Photo credit: Adrian Hextall
Creepshow
This song doesn’t waste a single second—it grabs you by the collar and shouts, “HEY! LIKE ME!” right out of the gate with its infectious chorus. It’s an arena rocker that captures the pop-heart of the album. It’s an upbeat tune with just enough bite of crunchy distorted guitars. The Avantasia team should be proud of this track and I think it’s a great single for exposure to people who have never heard of the band. For us who have been following Avantasia for the past few decades, it definitely doesn’t satisfy that thirst we have for the epics that the band is known for.
Here be Dragons
Listening to a few of Tobias’s latest interviews, he mentioned that there were only two songs on the album that were custom-fit for its guest singers and here is one of them. This mid-tempo 8+ minute song is like a custom fitted purple velvet throne for the legendary operatic ex-singer of Queensryche, Geoff Tate. When fans think of this album, I think this will probably be the one they think of most. The song alternates between a familiar electric arpeggio and open power chord chorus. Tobias is throwing down lightning bolts of energy in the choruses while Geoff Tate is stirring the winds of a storm in between. This song is very reminiscent of the leather pants and jean jacket days of Queensryche, reminding me a little of “The Mission”. Tobias has made it known that he was influenced by Queensryche and Geoff Tate growing up as a child and he once again successfully proves that they make a great duo. When Geoff comes on around 2 minutes into the song, the song really picks up and it rides an emotional high all the way to the end of the song.
Geoff Tate with Avantasia at Masters of Rock 2024. Photo credit: Adrian Hextall
The song is gothic, emotional, dark and its lyrics seem to explore societal alienation while using mythological imagery. Here are some lyrics, “She felt that she was just a boy like others, Nestled in a cozy small town life, Kept it up until she’d leave for good, When she ceased to try”. As well as, “Looking around: isolation! Not a woman, not a man, just the scorn of town again”. The lyrics speak of a person feeling out of place in their body in a rigid world battling depression and suicide.
“The Moorland at Twilight”
Michael Kiske and Tobias Sammet: the peanut butter and jelly of Avantasia’s power metal sound. Michael’s been a mainstay in the lineup nearly every album and I wouldn’t be surprised if they have matching friendship bracelets at this point. Once again, the legendary singer of Helloween works with Tobias to deliver another strong and gothically bombastic metal song. Let’s talk about Sascha Paeth’s guitar solo for a second—because, wow. It shreds, it soars, and it’s got a perfect background choral moment that makes you feel like you’re headbanging with a bunch of… ghosts. The song features a lot of gothic imagery, he gives the vibe it’s from the point of view of someone encountering something supernatural while also going into existential reflection. “Skeletal shadows, eternities lying in wait, for mortals they’ll take, no man nor beast would fear, just a whim of illusions, but how to tell nothing is there, when it’s not unveiled”. It’s a great, fast, and dramatic metal song that’ll make you want to reflect on life’s deepest mysteries.
The Witch
It seems like in the last few years, Tommy Karevik’s fame is really starting to grow. He easily integrated into the lead role of Kamelot years ago but also has been doing important roles in Ayreon as well. It was just perfect timing for him to lend his unique and clean voice to Avantasia. Boy, I’m glad he did! Kamelot and Avantasia share the same producer in Sascha Paeth so it was just a matter of time these two were going to connect on a song and here we are. For me, this is probably my favorite of the singles Avantasia released this go around. Not because I’ve been a huge fan of Tommy’s voice since Seventh Wonder, but because this to me felt like a more traditional Avantasia single. The song is dark, gothic, theatrical and melodic. It’s pleasing on the first listen and just gets better the more you hear it. Tommy’s virtuosity and delivery is otherworldly and Tobias is no slouch either on this song. The song reminds me a lot of the single “Dying for an Angel” off Wicked Symphony. The theme of the song seems to be about a transformation of self: “The bleak arrival, of times and rites effacing levity, The sands of time rain down, to bury the child that you have been, Unholy wraith I can feel your touch”. This song is a total win for Avantasia—moody, epic, and dripping with that signature theatrical flair we all know and love.
Phantasmagoria
This time, we get a fast and punchy, no-nonsense, nearly four-minute banger featuring Ronnie Atkins of Pretty Maids fame. Now, Ronnie isn’t new to the Avantasia universe—he previously crooned his way through the power ballad Paper Plane on the last album. But this time? Tobias cranked up the BPM and let Ronnie loose. Musically, not as theatrical as “The Witch” but the lyrics remain dark. “You’re in for a thrill, in this theatre of dreams, Just open your eyes, Blood-curdling chills, from what you will see, the dark will arise, To take you away”. The song ends interestingly with the sound of a Michael Bay movie explosion at the end that felt a little out of place. Was it all a metaphor for how Tobias plans to blow our minds the rest of the album?
Reading the lyrics after hearing the song, I was a bit underwhelmed by the lack of spookier music with some keys on this one instead of it being a straightforward rocker but all in all, a solid song.
Bring on the Night
What would be an Avantasia album without the seemingly unaging wizardly voice of Bob Catley of Magnum. As I mentioned earlier, Tobias said two songs on this album were custom-fit for vocalists and this was one of them. And just as I was lamenting the absence of some good ol’ keys—boom! Here they are, front and center, like Tobias psychically knew I’d start whining about it. That cheeky mastermind! It’s definitely a more upbeat rock song with some great hooks. Bob and Tobias deliver that signature Avantasia flavor of rock we come to expect each album – like a power metal chef refusing to change a beloved family recipe. Lyrically, the song talks about outsiders, dreamers, and night-dwelling rebels banding together under the glow of the moon. Maybe Tobias just really wants to start a secret society. I’m in!
Unleash the Kraken
The “Kraken” is the undisputed heaviest song on the album. Sascha Paeth finally gets to stretch his legs (or maybe tentacles, considering the title). Sascha is a great guitarist, and I really enjoy when he and Tobias are absolutely shredding together. The part where Tobias screams around 3:50 is totally going to be a fantastic headbanging segment that will wreck some necks live. Please give us some more of this next time, Tobias! Special note: Tobias doesn’t get enough credit for his lyric writing, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone use “Lucifugous sensation” in a song before. Well done!
Avantasia at Masters of Rock 2024 Photo credit: Adrian Hextall
Avalon
When I saw Adrienne Cowan’s (Seven Spires) name as the guest for this song, I actually didn’t know this artist but man, she’s fantastic. She can scream, she can sing clean, and she is probably the first to give me goosebumps on the first time listening to this album. Avalon is a more dramatic and orchestral track reaching back to the days of “The Scarecrow” title track. It’s big, bombastic, epic, and it’s got some celtic vibes. The music and lyrics work together well to paint an otherworldly journey. “There in the distance a spire is dividing the night, Calling you into the dawn light, Carried by spectres”. The whole song feels like getting lost in a foggy, mystical dream where ghostly figures guide you toward… something epic. One of my absolute favorites on the album. Bring back Adrienne please!
Against the Wind
Here we get a more classic Tobias Sammet style power metal track. The guest vocalist this time is Kenny Leckremo of H.E.A.T. Together, they deliver another solid song with a memorable chorus. This song is also lyrically strongly worded and almost seems to be a message to his critics. “Don’t you tell me what to be, Through my eyes you cannot see, I’m me and I’m going my way, Against the wind I’m going my way”. Very interesting indeed! It’s a fun track, Kenny sounds fantastic, and while it doesn’t necessarily steal the show on the album, that’s ok. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Fans of Kenny will enjoy this one, and he will for sure make some new fans as well.
Everybody’s Here until the End
Hearing this track brought me back to a simpler time of Avantasia before all the gothic influences and Tim Burton style art. It reminded me of “Anywhere” and “Inside” off the first few Metal Opera albums. It starts off with just Tobias and a piano, gently luring you into what turns into a full-blown, tear-jerking power ballad. But just when you think it couldn’t get any more nostalgic, an old friend emerges from the mist—none other than the power metal legend Roy Khan, former Kamelot frontman. The elusive singer hasn’t sung on an Avantasia album since The Scarecrow, and back then, he was battling illness, making his performance a challenge. This time? He’s back, refreshed, and sounding as majestic as ever.
The chorus is very layered and huge and there must be one-hundred vocal tracks on here alone. Roy delivers his verses with the kind of soul-stirring perfection that sticks with you long after the song is over: “And yet I’m gonna stand, To waft the light of you, And care for those I’m trusted with, The way you’ll always do, I will light another candle…”. It’s a power ballad that has taken a few listens to absorb, but has become one of my favorite tracks on the album. A proper grand finale to this record.
Kind of like how shrink-flation hit our bags of Doritos and gave us less chips, Avantasia gave us a little shorter of an album at around 50 minutes. While that is disappointing, I can definitely say that Tobias Sammet has evolved for sure since “The Scarecrow” and I think that’s due to him working with so many of his influences and guests over the years. Every Avantasia album feels like a haunted carnival ride with theatrical bombast and enough vocal firepower to shake the heavens, and this one is no different. Tobias Sammet once again assembles another all-star metal circus, bringing back legendary voices and introducing some new and talented ones like Adrienne Cowan and Tommy Karevik. Sure, it might not be a pure thematic rock opera as usual, but it’s still dripping with that signature Avantasia magic. If you’re looking for metal that feels like a grand, supernatural adventure, then step right up—this gothic metal masquerade ball is perfect for you. Don’t let the dragon/wyvern scare you away!
Special Guest Review by: Marc Centanni – Harpazo
Ratings: 9/10
Editors Pick 
https://open.spotify.com/album/5W3Uw0MWDnca1Ch87V52K7?si=1SqU536cRXWKkZYt44vybg
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