Avantasia – Here Be Dragons
Avantasia – Here Be Dragons
Napalm Records
Release Date: 28/03/2025
Review by Rory Bentley
8/10
Avantasia are one of those bands that really test my frequent assertion that there are no guilty pleasures. I still stand behind this statement, but Tobias Sammet’s grandiose Power Metal/Rock Opera project definitely pushes these boundaries. Try as I might to deny it, however, I am a huge lover of knowingly pompous, overblown, soaringly melodic songwriting that is as far from cool as a Tory MP with a backwards cap and a skateboard trying to relate to the kids. Are Avantasia operating at a level of cheese that Cathedral City should be taking notes from on this album? Absolutely. Is it fucking great because of this? You bet your trve kvlt ass it is!
For the uninitiated, the deal with Avantasia is that every two- or three-years mastermind Tobias will compose a fantastical concept album/Rock Opera full of impossibly histrionic songs that make Meatloaf sound like Fugazi, while recruiting a cast of Rock and Metal royalty to do guest spots on each song. Normally featuring at the very least an appearance from Magnum codger Bob Catley, and former Queensryche wailer Geoff Tate among a revolving lineup of other big names. It is this comforting familiarity along with the element of surprise over who will be popping up that means I’m always happy to dive into a new Avantasia release, and “Here Be Dragons” is no different.
The difference between this one and previous releases is that the compositions feel much punchier and more immediate, something which Tobias confirms when discussing how quick and instinctive the songwriting process was. Opener ‘Creepshow’ is a great example of this, forgoing ornate intros and dramatic choirs for smacking you in the face with the chorus hook as soon as you hit play. The band have always thrown a few straight up rockers on every release, but this is now the dominant approach this time around. Geoff Tate makes his token appearance on the equally upbeat title track, sounding pretty magnificent in his advanced years it must be said, as he howls along with Tobias note for note on a slightly more Progressive, but no less energetic piece that absolutely flies by.
‘Release The Kraken’ is exactly as rambunctious and pompous as you’d want from a song with such a title, and shines purely on its merits as a song and Tobias’ bug-eyed belting dialled up to 11, with no need for a guest singer to add extra intrigue. It’s good to hear the big man save some bangers just for himself. Don’t worry though- you still get your signature Bob Catley appearance on the melancholic, string-laden Disney-On-Ice-With-Riffs power ballad ‘Bring On The Night’, which carries extra emotional weight in the aftermath of the passing of Magnum’s founder Tony Clarkin early last year. It’s nice that Tobias is loyal to his childhood hero even if I’m not the biggest fan of the Brummie Rockers myself. Helloween wailer Michael Kiske also gets his reps in on the appropriately balls-out Power Metal of ‘The Moorlands at Twilight’, which amazingly I don’t hate, largely down to commanding mic work from the legendary German singer and Tobias belting out his parts with a vibrato wide enough to drive a Volvo through.
In terms of new blood, Adrienne Cowan of Symphonic Metallers Seven Spires crushes her debut appearance on ‘Avalon’ which has a jaunty, almost Folk-Metal sway that Nightwish hit at their best. She also pops up on backing vocals throughout the record and I hope this is the first of many contributions to Avantasia for her, as I’ve always thought she was a top-drawer vocalist.
Ultimately if you really don’t like Avantasia this record will not change your opinion one iota, but the Tobias faithful will lap this up and it may win over a few Edguy fans that normally find this project too twee and fantastical. Plus look at that front cover!
TRACKLISTING:
01. Creepshow
02. Here Be Dragons
03. The Moorlands At Twilight
04. The Witch
05. Phantasmagoria
06. Bring On The Night
07. Unleash The Kraken
08. Avalon
09. Against The Wind
10. Everybody’s Here Until The End
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rory Bentley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
