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01. Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose |
Verdict: 5
Artist: Avantasia
Album: Ghostlights
Release date: 29 January 2016
Label: Nuclear Blast
Tobias Sammet the frontman of the German Power metal band Edguy has had this side project since the turn of the century, Avantasia.
The first album by Avantasia "The Metal Opera" was hugely ambitions. At the time there weren't many artists inviting all the greatest singers to participate on their productions. The only other project even remotely like Avantasia at the time was Arjen with his Ayreon. The Avantasia albums were a real treat and singers like Bob Catley, Mikael Kiske and Ronny Atkins were featured extensively.
We have been spoiled over the years and now it's time for the seventh release by Avantasia, Ghostlights.
The Album opens up full throttle with the track "Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose", a song that sound like it has been written for... Mealoaf. The spirit of Jim Steinman hoovers over the entire production. It is great track, but is it an Avantasia track? I'm not convinced.
"Let The Storm Descend" sound like something that could come of a Nightwish album. The music is polished to perfection and the sing along chorus complete with string arrangements and bells render the track to close to "A Christmas Carol" for my comfort, it's cheesy.
The third track "The Hunting" is another beast altogether. Dee Schneider of Twisted Sister, add something dirty and evil to the track and it lifts. This could easily be a track from the classic album "Welcome to My Nightmare" by Alice Cooper and I just love it. Avantasia at its best. The fourth track feature Geoff Tate, the former Queensryche singer and he is fantastic! Just like when he traded lines with other singers on the Hear n aid track "Stars" some twenty five years ago you should fear a duet with Mr Tate. He will diminish any decent singer render them sounding like an imp in the corner. And theis is just what happens here. Tobi sound awful in comparison. Do you remember?
-Singers and songs will never do it alone so we are calling you, calling you!
"Unchain The Light" is a fair track but something is missing. Sharon Del Adel sound just as angelic as always on "Isle of Evermore" but it doesn't lift.
The overall feel on Ghostlights is more pop and less opera. The majority of the tracks would fit right into the Eurovision song contest with some minor changes to the arrangements. This probably is the weakest Avantasia album to date. Well there are a few memorable moments but Ghostlights fail to deliver on many levels. My suggestion is that Tobias consider booting Kiske/Lande out and start a cooperation including Schneider/Tate to breathe some fresh vitalizing air into the halls of The Metal Opera.