Expectations run high whenever AVANTASIA release new music, and how can it not be so when mastermind Tobias Sammet has proved himself over and over again as a consistently reliable songwriter who always delivers power metal extravaganza alongside his lineup of world-class guest vocalists? Such is also the case with AVANTASIA’s tenth studio offering, “Here Be Dragons,” which came out on February 28th, 2025, via Napalm Records.
What makes AVANTASIA such a landmark project on the metal scene is the wonderful mixture of power metal cheesiness with fantastical themes, which is probably the best way to showcase the genre’s penchant for soaring vocals, fast-paced melodies, and outlandish lyrics. From the ominous opening tones of “Creepshow” until the closing notes of “Everybody’s Here Until the End” the album presents itself as a more concise and streamlined affair than its predecessor, the sprawling “A Paranormal Evening with The Moonflower Society“ (2022), an approach which works in its favor as the melodies and vocals are more impactful and immediate, leaving a lasting impression on the listeners. On the downside, this also means that, since all songs are pretty much equal in terms of quality, there isn’t really a peak or album highlight that stands out more than any other track. Everything is on an even keel, making the overall album feel very balanced and cohesive, with the guest vocalists providing variety and interest to the songs. I believe this is what gives AVANTASIA its edge – how it’s not only Tobias Sammet providing vocals, but a selected bunch of musicians also lend their talents and make everything all the more epic and engaging.
As such, the album boasts both long-time AVANTASIA collaborators as well as a few new vocalists who bring so much depth and nuance to the songs they sing. Out of the ten tracks on display here, Tobias Sammet kept only two for himself – the arena-ready power metal anthem “Creepshow” and the thrashy, guitar shred-fest (shout out to Sascha Paeth) that is “Unleash the Kraken” – and these tracks definitely show that he got what it takes to do this single-handedly. The melancholy title track, “Here Be Dragons,” features Geoff Tate (QUEENSRYCHE) and is a vocally driven affair that takes a little to get going but soon enough it settles into a mid-tempo rhythm that alternates between symphonic grandeur and soaring melodies underpinned by groovy basslines that lift up to mood a bit. On the other hand, “The Moorlands at Twilight” is a more explosive and bombastic piece that sees Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN) scaling the octaves in his usual fashion and bringing a nice dynamic to the song’s driving and high-octane pace. This is (and has been for a while now) a match made in heaven as their voices soar to incredible heights while Sascha Paeth’s solo moment is simply perfection.
Things change a bit with “The Witch,” a gloomy and ominous song that features Tommy Karevik (KAMELOT). I was hoping an official collaboration with Tommy would be in the works even since he performed “Dying for an Angel” with them during the festival season last year, and this moody and Gothic piece fits him incredibly well. It brings some darkness and theatricality to the fold while also boasting the most infectious chorus on the whole album. It’s as close to being an album highlight as possible, displaying everything we have come to love about AVANTASIA’s music. Next up, with a title like “Phantasmagoria,” one would probably expect a big, symphonic number, yet this is a restrained, punchy rocker that features the raspy vocals of Ronnie Atkins (PRETTY MAIDS) and works well as a mid-album track, keeping the momentum going at a steady pace. Conversely, the melodic and bouncy “Bring on the Night” rides high on Bob Catley’s (MAGNUM) warm vocals while the shimmering keys and basslines add a playful and upbeat vibe to the music.
The album winds down with two more energetic songs and a power ballad. SEVEN SPIRES‘ Adrienne Cowan steals the show on the mid-paced Celtic-infused “Avalon” with her mesmerizing vocals that hide quite a bit of power when fully unleashed. This is another official collaboration I wished was in the works ever since Adrienne started touring with them as a backing/live vocalist in 2018, and I am happy she got the chance to showcase her range and versatility on this track, whose dramatic scope and orchestral backbone were almost tailor-made for her talents. Speaking of talents, who better to belt out the highs and intricate phrasing of hard rocker “Against the Wind” than Kenny Leckremo (H.E.A.T.), making it a more classic AVANTASIA track with solid instrumentals and strong vocals? The haunting power ballad “Everybody’s Here Until the End” closes the album on a poignant note as Roy Khan (CONCEPTION) gives a grounded, emotional delivery, enhanced by strings and orchestrations, while the huge, densely layered chorus shoots the melody into the stratosphere.
To conclude, while “Here Be Dragons” may not be the flamboyant, over-the-top release that could rival the likes of the more recent “Ghostlights” (2016) or “Moonglow” (2019), it still hits the sweet spot more often than it misses it as Tobias Sammet musicianship is so well honed by this point that he couldn’t write a bad (or average) song if he tried to. Still, the fact that these songs are less bombastic and theatrical than expected and more straightforward makes “Here Be Dragons” fall a bit short on the AVANTASIA scale. Nonetheless, for what it does offer, the album is a highly enjoyable romp through Tobias’ vivid imagination that is once again adequately put to music.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
01. Creepshow
02. Here Be Dragons (feat. Geoff Tate)
03. The Moorlands At Twilight (feat. Michael Kiske)
04. The Witch (feat. Tommy Karevik)
05. Phantasmagoria (feat. Ronnie Atkins)
06. Bring On The Night (feat. Bob Catley)
07. Unleash The Kraken
08. Avalon (feat. Adrienne Cowan)
09. Against The Wind (feat. Kenny Leckremo)
10. Everybody’s Here Until The End (feat. Roy Khan)
Lineup
- Tobias Sammet – Vocals, Keyboards, Bass
- Sascha Paeth – Guitars
Label
Napalm Records
