Rock and metal sensation AVANTASIA have released the new single “Against The Wind” from the upcoming album, “Here Be Dragons,” out February 28, 2025, via Napalm Records! The heavy metal number features H.E.A.T. vocalist Kenny Leckremo and serves as yet another proof of the versatility of AVANTASIA’s iconic sound.
AVANTASIA’s success has seen hundreds of millions of streams, gold awards, and chart-topping albums as well as sold-out arena tours and headline slots at major festivals, cementing the band’s standing at the very top of the international metal scene. AVANTASIA’s 10th studio album is set to surprise fans old and new with plenty of fresh soundscapes and the band will be bringing their most monumental show yet to arenas across Europe with their Here Be Dragons Headline Tour kicking off in March.
Tobias Sammet on “Against The Wind”:
“’Against The Wind’ is an anthemic uptempo rocket that contains a lot of what AVANTASIA stands for. What I especially like about the song is the combination of speed and power, along with an uplifting and elating harmonic and melodic approach. It comes over you with sheer force, but it drags you along to a better place, it gives you strength and encourages you to stay true to yourself in adverse wind and raise the middle finger to those who want to keep you from being yourself.
Musically and vocally it’s quite a demanding tune, as you need the full toolkit of a power metal singer, but it’s got some loose kind of JOURNEY feeling also in certain places that require a completely different way of feeling the song. So I was looking for a vocal partner who would have metal skills and quite a range, but also understand the background of singers like Sam Cooke or Steve Perry. And I knew that Kenny Leckremo of H.E.A.T would be able to pull it off. In all modesty: I think we both sound amazing together here. I love this song!”
Featuring absolute AVANTASIA essentials such as spellbinding choirs and theatrical symphonic metal elements, multitalented mastermind, and frontman Tobias Sammet also surprises fans old and new with plenty of intriguing fresh soundscapes on “Here Be Dragons.” The album gives the celebrated AVANTASIA sound that has been carefully crafted over a quarter of a century an exciting and powerful spin. The new album is the most consistent and concise piece of art that the band has ever crafted.
AVANTASIA is not showing any signs of slowing down – soon after the release of “Here Be Dragons,” the band will head out on an extensive arena tour across Europe, promising to deliver fans an immersive experience with their biggest and most epic production ever.
In grand AVANTASIA tradition, the new full-length is rich in vivid storytelling and cinematic atmospheres, not to mention the highest level of musicianship. Opening track “Creepshow” is without a doubt one of the catchiest songs in their career. The energizing future hit truly welcomes the listener into the new era of AVANTASIA and will be an integral part of the band’s spectacular live shows. In contrast, the incredible title track “Here Be Dragons” is a classic AVANTASIA song, and at almost nine minutes, is by far the longest on the album. The cinematic dark soundscapes of “The Witch” captivate and support the song’s storyline perfectly, and emotional, multifaceted vocal performances mesmerize on “Avalon.” Remaining well-balanced and cohesive, “Here Be Dragons” is undeniably AVANTASIA’s most powerful album so far.
The 10-track offering was written and composed in its entirety by Tobias Sammet himself, produced and recorded by Tobias Sammet together with Sascha Paeth, mixed by Sascha Paeth, and mastered by Michael Rodenberg. The stunning cover art was once again created by acclaimed British fantasy artist Rodney Matthews. “Here Be Dragons” marks another masterpiece in the AVANTASIA catalog, leaving both fans and critics speechless and proving the band’s standing as a main force in the world of rock and metal! The album will be available in several different editions, with bonus albums included on select limited formats.
Here Be Dragons Tracklisting:
- 1. Creepshow
- 2. Here Be Dragons
- 3. The Moorlands At Twilight
- 4. The Witch
- 5. Phantasmagoria
- 6. Bring On The Night
- 7. Unleash The Kraken
- 8. Avalon
- 9. Against The Wind
- 10. Everybody’s Here Until The End
Here Be Dragons will be available in the following formats:
- 3CD-Artbook – large format, hardcover book incl. 96 pages, over 160 pictures and extensive stories and liner notes
- 3-LP Vinyl Box incl 72 Pages 12″ Booklet – strictly limited to 500 copies – SOLD OUT!
- 1-LP Glow in the Dark Vinyl incl 12” Booklet – strictly limited to 300 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive
- 1-LP Yellow/Orange Marbled Vinyl incl 12” Booklet – strictly limited to 300 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive
- 1-LP Blue/White Splattered Vinyl incl 12″ Booklet + Poster + Slipmat – strictly limited to 500 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive ROW
- 1-LP Orange incl 12” Booklet
- 1-LP Black incl 12” Booklet
- Tape – strictly limited to 100 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive – SOLD OUT!
- 2CD Mediabook
- 1CD Digipak
- Digital Album
Catch AVANTASIA live on tour!
- 14.03.25 DE – Hamburg / Sporthalle
- 15.03.25 BE – Brussels / AB Box
- 16.03.25 FR – Paris / Olympia
- 18.03.25 LU – Esch-sur-Alzette / Rockhal
- 20.03.25 DE – Berlin / Columbiahalle
- 21.03.25 DE – Bamberg / Brose Arena
- 22.03.25 DE – Bochum / RuhrCongress
- 24.03.25 UK – London / The Roundhouse
- 26.03.25 NL – Tilburg / O13
- 28.03.25 DE – Stuttgart / Schleyerhalle
- 29.03.25 CZ – Prague / Forum Karlin – SOLD OUT!
- 30.03.25 CZ – Prague / Forum Karlin – ADDITIONAL SHOW
- 01.04.25 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra
- 02.04.25 AT – Vienna / Gasometer
- 04.04.25 DE – Munich / Zenith
- 05.04.25 DE – Frankfurt am Main / Jahrhunderthalle
- 06.04.25 DE – Cologne / Palladium
- 08.04.25 IT – Milan / Alcatraz
- 09.04.25 CH – Zurich / The Hall
- 11.04.25 ES – Barcelona / Razzmatazz
- 12.04.25 ES – Madrid / Vistalegre
- 23.04.25 FI – Helsinki / Black Box
- 25.04.25 NO – Oslo / Sentrum Scene
- 26.04.25 SE – Stockholm / Arenan Fryshuset
AVANTASIA online:
