Words & Pictures Adrian Hextall / (C) MindHex Media
3 hours, lead singers that read like a ‘Who’s Who’ of rock music and more epic tunes than you can shake a shitty stick at. This is a typical Avantasia gig. The vast machine of talent that rolls around Europe and the rest of the world showing anyone and everyone smart enough to turn up to see the band just how it should be done.
It’s also a very clever business model. How best do you promote your band and music? Bring in singers from some of the biggest rock bands past and present and get them to wax lyrical about the albums, shows, tour and so on. It’s a canny move and one that has seen Avantasia step up a level every time they’ve gone out on tour over the last decade. In Europe, they’re festival headliners, in South America they’re revered. In the UK, a territory that has historically pushed aside bands with theatrical \ power metal leanings in favour of the heavier stuff with vocalists that sound like they gargle drain cleaner, Avantasia has built a commanding fanbase and at Camden’s famous Roundhouse, they turned out en-masse to celebrate the release of latest album ‘Here Be Dragons’.
A slightly late start, with the show held back to ensure everyone who needed to get into the venue could before the band started, meant that we were itching to get going but by 8:10pm, the lights had dimmed, the band were on stage and we were treated to the lead single from the new album. ‘Creepshow’ shows the side of Avantasia that says ‘radio-friendly’ and ‘chart-savvy’. A 3-4 minute power rock banger which, if you’ve seen the video, ticks all of the theatrical extravagances that the band are known for. It’s a song that also allows founder and ringmaster Tobias Sammet a brief moment of solo vocal time, front and centre. The rest of the show would of course see a rotating door of vocalists either joining him on stage or holding court themselves with a more than receptive audience lapping up every single note. And what a list of guests. Regulars, Adrienne Cowan (Seven Spires), Herbie Langhans (Firewind), Chiara Tricario (Moonlight Haze) provided lead vocal moments and also gave the set depth with their impressive backing vocal contributions as well. Familiar faces Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Eric Martin (Mr Big) brought cheers as did newcomers Tommy Karevik (Kamelot) and Kenny Leckremo (H.E.A.T.) whose range was just out of this world.
The biggest cheer though was for our very own Bob Catley (Magnum). Unable to tour as he would have wanted to due to health issues that he’s currently facing, Bob still managed to make the trip to London to perform with the band and the reception was nothing short of tear-inducing. The setlist was changed to accommodate Bob and allow him to sing on ‘The Story Ain’t Over’ which, having seen the recent Tony Clarkin memorial shows with Magnum is perhaps the most apt song Bob could have done.
Now it would be easy to wax lyrical about almost every song on offer during the hugely log set but let’s focus on the the title track of the new album. Recorded with Geoff Tate (former Queensrÿche lead vocalist), the man who possesses, for me, one of the finest rock voices ever, the song saw Tommy step in for Geoff and deliver the goods and then some alongside Tobi. That it’s probably one of the strongest songs Tobi has ever penned is testament to his writing skills when you think that list includes ‘The Scarecrow’, ‘Sign Of The Angels’ and ‘Lucifer’, all of which were performed and all of which triggered roars from the crowd.
Vocalists came and went, as they do on each Avantasia album and if you avoid the setlists before going to a show each singer appearing is like an unannounced present being delivered every 5-10 minutes. The approach is \ was a wonderfully unique one and to see other artists also doing similar now suggests that Tobi has perfected his special sauce and it’s one that should be bottled and sold for years to come. A stunning show, a shame that the promoters thought it only warranted a single show in London when 2-3 would easily have sold out up and down the UK. Maybe next time.
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