Metal Reviews

You're welcome to comment on:


Click here to see the review.

I don't know... people seem very divided on the new album(s). I really love those two new Avantasia albums myself... but I'm a fan of hard/melodic rock so I guess that has to do with it.

I think people are still upset that it's not power metal or even much metal anymore and I can understand that. A lot didn't like the direction The Scarecrow took and this furthers it. Some people will say they like hard rock but the songs are boring: fair enough. Personally, I find them very catchy and it's a fun listen. Just turn your brain off, don't expect wierd song structures or progressiveness and you'll be good.

This is me. I tried, but The Scarecrow's songwriting was much better overall.

I agree with you on that, though. I do miss stuff like Twisted Mind or The Toy Master. The songs on those new ones are much "easier". I wouldn't say generic but they're definitely not complex.

It's like comparing a cheap, insanely sugary chocolate bar to 70% cocoa chocolate: both chocolate but one is grab-and-eat and the other needs some getting used to. Yeah, ok. No more analogies when I'm sleepy and hungry.

I agree totally. I got past wanting another vain glory or even another metal opera 1 or 2 and basically listened to it for what it is. I simply feel it kicks ass and the songwriting is top notch. It is not as "epic" but clearly the songwriting itself is getting better and better. Rather than relying on cool moments, or a heavy riff, or a chorus to carry the song; the songs manage to stand on their own in every aspect almost as if it has developed a singer/songwriter(s)/ "catchy" mentality that enables the each song to stand on its own and differentiate itself from each other. I would give it high 80s or low 90s myself. Of course those turned off by Euro-styled hard or melodic moments will not like many of these songs. I am 36 and came straight out of hair/glam metal 80s so i got no qualms with it...lol

We'll see.

You've not listened to it yet, 'NESS?

Just form whats on youtube. I haven't given it a good listen.

Well I'm giving Angel of Babylon my first proper listen now, and so far I'm enjoying it more than The Wicked Symphony. This album is more straightforward while Babylon is definitely more reminiscent of The Scarecrow; much more varied and catchy. The general consensus seems to be that Symphony is better, but I may have to disagree.

The Scarecrow was better than the Wicked Symphony, but WS is still miles ahead of Angel of Babylon. I think Dying for an Angel is one of avantasias greatest tracks, it reminds me a lot of Lost in Space, but I like it even more. There are some nice memorable tracks here on WS, but after listening to AOB two times, i don't remember single song! Its just plain booring! A huge disapointment, while WS still beeing worth the purchase.

AVANTASIA #7 IN EUROPEAN BILLBOARD CHARTS
After numerous sensational chart entries all over the world the new boxset "The Wicked Symphony/ Angel Of Babylon" Avantasia has entered the European Top-10. Having entered at #7 Avantasia marks this week's highest new chart-entry all over Europe!

The first chart positions of the new album: Germany #2, Czech Republic #6, Switzerland #7, Austria #9, Slovenia #7, Sweden #1 (Rock-charts, national #14), Finland #18, Norway # 22, England #26 (Indie), Holland #27 (Indie), Spain #32, France #74 and Japan #89. More positions to be announced.

This band is so overrated.. Especially the newer stuff. 70 on a good day from me.

Wow, people do seem divided on WS vs. AOB, and how they compare to Scarecrow and The Metal Operas. Definitely seems that, similar to Edguy, if people are really wedded to the early, full-on operatic power metal style of Avantasia and, to a lesser degree, Edguy, they have a harder time enjoying this.

I, for one, like Scarecrow a lot, but I like the two new albums a lot more after extensive plays. Scarecrow seemed like Tobi had more of a grab bag of different ideas, stylistically, that he wanted to express, where the songs on these albums---though varied---feel more like part of a thematic whole to my ears. For me "Toy Master" is one of the weakest songs on Scarecrow: works well strictly as a vehicle for Alice Cooper's guest spot (was definitely written with him in mind), but less so as an Avantasia/Tobi song IMO. (I'm not a huge AC fan either to give full disclosure). And I love The Metal Operas, they stand alone as classics of that style, but I think they are too different to directly compare to the two new ones.

I also think "Dying For An Angel" is a kick ass hard rock/metal single, that both sounds like Tobi yet also is perfect for the duet with Klaus (who sounds fantastic on it btw). It's a little bit 80s rock and metal, a little bit modern rock and metal, with a great solo, and it's catchy as hell. I don't get what's not to like? I can only hope it does get on the radio so more people discover this music through a song like that.

As for the rest, I like some better than others for sure, but I am immensely entertained listening all the way through these albums, and I think the longer pieces are actually some of Tobi's best and most consistent.

I was skeptical when I first heard some samples but, again, I feel if you are open to it and can set aside your biases to particular metal genres, etc., this is just great, powerful and potent music. Tobi will never be considered a cutting edge, experiemental, musical pioneer type, but I personally love how he captures the spirit of everything that's been great in metal and rock across multiple generations and delivers it in his own voice and style and with so much passion and enthusiasm. I hear everything from modern metal and hard rock to 80s metal and hard rock, along with bits of Queen, Styx, Kansas, Meatloaf, Journey, Triumph (even snippets of Pink Floyd, Genesis), all blened into what I think is a pretty uniformly strong selection of songs.

Anyway, I have been enjoying the hell out of both WS and AOB since I got them but, definitely, if you judge the quality of an album based mostly on a scale of "heavy" vs. "light" (i.e. pure metal vs. hard rock, rock, etc.) or how closely---or not---each song sticks to the patented Euro power metal formula, then you will likely be disappointed.

WOW. That was well said. I think i agree with you 100%. Even if i did not agree at first, I would after reading your analytical piece (lol). You can be the politician of our forums. Joking aside I do feel the same way about the new albums, scarecrow, and the metal operas. In fact I would probably have the scarecrow the worse of the bunch (for me) but I do enjoy it quite a bit as well, especially the ballads

This is really growing on me. Tobias is just a great songwriter. This still doesn't hold up to the original two Avantasia albums, those were pure power metal classics, but this is just a great, fun album. I'm not sure which of the two I like more right now, this one seems to be a bit more straight forward. Oh, and Jorn is freaking awesome on this album. Russel Allen, however, seems a little weaker.

I think Wicked Symphony is the better of the two as it has more memorable and catchy songs than Angel of Babylon (although Angel has some great tracks like Death is Just a Feeling and Your Love is Evil). People need to get over the fact that Tobi isn't going to write the Metal Operas over and over again. They were both great albums but we don't need to hear a re-hash of the same thing, it's been done. I'm 36 like EpicMetalFan so I don't mind the hard rock influences that have become a regular part of Avantasia. Especially in the case of Dying for an Angel, which in my opinion is one of the catchiest songs Avantasia has ever written.

If Bon Jovi did metal it would probably sound like this.

My thoughts are I don't care if Toby has started making neo-hair metal, as long as it's good. I thought there was enough original material on here to keep my interest. The guitar solos on Avantasia albums are always good and the guest singers are great. Some nice songs on here.

Great post.

Wasted on too many dummies, though.