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| Album artwork by Thomas Ewerhard |
I really thought that Tobias was going to call an end to his Avantasia metal opera project in 2014 after they had blown away Wacken Open Air festival with an incredible set. However, in late 2015, it was announced that there would be a new album which would conclude the story started on 2013s ‘Mystery of Time’ album.
In December 2015, the track ‘Mystery of a Blood Red Rose’ was released and straight away I was in love with it, ramping up my excitement for the album even further.
In January 2016 ‘Ghostlights’, released through Nuclear Blast, landed to very well-deserved, great reviews from its peers. Many people stated it was much darker and edgier than previous Avantasia albums and I would certainly agree.
This offering from Sammet is 12 songs of pure brilliance. It provides the type of music that you can lose yourself in and listen to as the story unfolds with guest vocalists adding a difference to a variety of characters; or, you can just as easily have it playing in the background as a distraction whilst you chop the veg for Sunday dinner.
The 12-minute juggernaut 'Let the Storm Descend Upon You’ does what it says on the tin. You can hear-feel (new word!) the tempest building before a medley of singers guide you through the battering drums and pelting guitar riffs. The breakdown halfway through reflects the calm eye of the storm before the pounding instruments return to whip up the frenzy until the end.
The album consists of fast power metal songs entwined with the slower ballad type tunes that Sammet is capable of throwing together as if he was making a culinary masterpiece. Frenzied 'Master of the Pendulum' glides gracefully into the slow tempered 'Isle of Evermore' with little more than effortlessness.
The wealth of guest vocalists Tobias seems to be able to net is another asset to the Avantasia machine, Ghostlights proudly boasts appearances from Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation) and Geoff Tate (Queensryche) among others.
The Ghostlights World tour kicks off soon and I, for one, am extremely excited to see a 3 hour Avantasia gig! I will be very happy to see the majority of this album played and wouldn't be surprised if they play it in full. It will be interesting to see if any guests appear throughout the night.
Avantasia are playing the O2 Forum Kentish Town, London on March 8th 2016; Tickets onsale at all the usual ticket websites.
If this is when Tobias finally hangs up his Avantasia coat, then it will be a job very well done.
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| Photo from Stereoboard.com |
Thanks for reading.
