Review by Stephen Pedicino
Avantasia, the brainchild of Edguy’s Tobias Sammet, has returned with a third grandiose installment that many have touched themselves thinking about for some time. After some teaser clips were released to the public, the big question was if Avantasia would maintain that pristine power metal majesty of both metal opera albums. I could say yes, but then I could say no……it’s kind of like asking if Dick Cheney has a working heart. All in all, we have an interesting album.
“Twisted Mind” ignites this release with a heavy metal tempo married with that unmistakable opera feel of prior Avantasia albums. Kamelot’s Roy Khan performs the guest vocal duties for this one and I swear to god he could make even a Mortician song sound terrific. (That’s saying A LOT for those who know the band)
“The Scarecrow” begins with a medieval-folk pasasge reminiscent of something the eclectic Ayreon would contrive. It’s an immense song spanning over eleven minutes that could have easily been condensed into five. It does feature some lenitively ambient parts which I enjoyed but the chorus and guitars are dryer than British comedy. “Shelter from the Rain” then does the honor of blessing the many Avantasia fans with what they love most……POWER METAL!!! Slicing solos and a thunderous double-bass will leave you ears deeply satisfied. This song epitomizes the term power metal and is superbly crafted to equal anything Tobias Sammet has produced thus far. But, since the song features Michael Kiske of Helloween fame, that’s pretty much a give-in. You’ll find yourself listening to the chorus endlessly only to recite it later when the cd is finished.
Immediately proceeding this aggressive masterpiece is the most blatantly balladesque turd that Avantasia could ever dream of making. “Carry Me Over,” a little heavier than Maroon 5, starts with a simple guitar rhythm that is tolerable but it then bleeds into a refrain that is genuinely equivalent to MTV pop. It might draw some new fans but will assuredly disgust many disciples of the name Avantasia. If you survive this juncture, then you’ll withstand anything else on the disc. Trust me.
I rolled my eyes yet again when I read the title of the next track, “What Kind of Love,” but was pleasantly surprised to hear a more dramatic than commercially-sappy sound. It has a guest appearance from the awesome Floor Jansen of After Forever. Her vocals could make anything beautiful, but especially this song because it delivers some captivating symphonic depth that I could easily compare to the “Gladiator” soundtrack. I can enjoy THESE kinds of ballads, but not the preceding track which I could best describe as audible toilet paper.
The next track elevates the “metalness” back to normal levels. Although a bit of a filler, it shows that Avantasia are still partially metal. “The Toy Master” follows with an ominous beginning and bears probably the most recognizable guest Avantasia has ever had, Alice Cooper. The lyrics are metaphorical and pretty much use toys to represent medication for the public. There’s a nice break in the middle with some slick guitar work that would fit well into a Gamma Ray song.(Did I mention Henjo Richter and Kai Hansen are on the album?) A catchy little tune that again reinforces the metal aspects. When the guitar solos do come on the album around they really will throw you for a ride.
And what is this, another ballad?............YES!!!! “Cry Just a Little” is about the third one on the disc and I would say my second favorite after “What Kind of Love.” Awww, Tobias has become Mr. Sensitive, hasn’t he? Let’s hope his sensitivity can earn him more commercial success in the music market.
And the curtain falls with “Lost in Space.” Its not metal, but I appreciate it as a well-done piece of alternative rock. It opens with a catchy little piano and proceeds to somehow squeeze some enjoyment out of me. to Not a bad track by any means and a good choice to end the album with because it’s uplifting and signifies the deviation that Avantasia has taken with “The Scarecrow.”