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Avantasa By: Don Sill |
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Old-school 80's heavy metal is still breathing life. The big opera yells, the large vibrato, the blaring guitars and speedy non-stop drumming still exist and come to life on "Avantasia- The Metal Opera." German power metal vocalist, Tobias Sammet from the band 'Edguy' has put together this special side project that tells the story of rife with deceit, treachery, religion, imprisonment and even witchcraft. The good thing about this particular rock-opera is that it's fast paced and rarely slows down. It holds the listener's attention, tells a story and keeps entertaining the whole way through. Sure, the overall sound is dated and stale, but it still has fiber and substance that is important when telling a story. "It's weird, a mixture of a late medieval criminal story and a fantasy story." Explains Avantasia creator, Tobias Sammet, of the stories plot and meaning, "But it's got a real historical background (some of the characters have existed in reality). I really can't describe the story, but although it may sound weird and unrealistic to some when you'll read it, I tried to put as much of my actual and (in my opinion) real points of view about this sick society and the political/ religious control-machinery into it as possible... You will be able to read a shortened version in the booklet..." Musically, this album was well produced and performed. Sammet has an unbelievable range and commanding vocal dominance that is truly sensational. "Avantasia's gonna be melodic, it's gonna be fast, it's gonna be heavy, it's gonna be bombastic and it's gonna be big. Besides the typical sing-along-metal-hymns there'll be some classical interludes as well. But still; It's gonna be a metal album with a trace of classical influences and not the opposite." Describes Sammet, "But it differs from 'Edguy' anyway, since there are ten different singers singing the different story characters, and there are different musicians than in 'Edguy.' But still; I can't - and I don't want to - hide my trademarks in songwriting." Overall, "AVANTASIA- The Metal Opera" is a solid display of 80's style heavy metal where each number can indeed hold it's own weight and satisfy it's core audience. The music may be yesterday's triumph but still seems to fit perfectly with the kind of bizarre, mid-evil tale that is being told.
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