Avantasia
The Wicked Symphony

It's been nine years since the dazzling debut "The Metal Opera Part I". They burst onto the European and global scene like a bolt from the blue. The promoter of this "metal opera" project is Tobias Sammet, leader and singer of the power metallers Edguy, from whom Avantasia partly derives their style through the use of symphonic elements. The first two albums were a success, followed by "The Scarecrow", a decent power metal album. Now in 2010, Avantasia returns to the music market with a double album: the first part is titled The Wicked Symphony and, as usual, features numerous guest stars lending their talents to the album in question.

Compared to the two "Metal Opera" albums, the quality has decreased, but at the same time, compared to "The Scarecrow," it has risen again. The Wicked Symphony carries with it the lightening of sound that partly began with the previous work: power metal almost becomes "hard rock power", creating a somewhat unusual mix that manages to convince, although in some points the formula is fairly predictable.

The fourth chapter in the Avantasia saga opens with the title track, over nine minutes of symphony and power, where guitar and voice create a pleasant and inseparable bond. The warm and powerful timbre of Jorn Lande emerges, who will lend his voice to other songs on the album as well. An engaging start is followed by an equally valid song like "Wastelands" with a melodic beginning and a classical touch. The discussion on composition quality closes when listening to the unmistakable voice of Micheal Kiske. "Scales of Justice" and "Dying for an Angel" flow by quite anonymously: two well-played power metal episodes but without particular highlights. A completely different story for the progressive pair "Blizzard on a Broken Mirror" and "Runaway Train" that show a band in shape, capable of not boring even when dealing with more complex tracks. Furthermore, the vocals of Matos and Kiske stamp the validity of these songs. From here, the album loses tone, and the remaining songs do not stand out for originality, although there is no debate about their quality: engaging, melodic, enthralling but with that already heard aura that seems now like a label to carry.

We are certainly not facing one of the masterpieces of the genre, but The Wicked Symphony remains a good power metal album, one of the best of this 2010. Avantasia had positioned themselves as a band that could bring this genre back to the forefront. With "The Scarecrow," hopes were lost. Could this be a sign of awakening?

1. "The Wicked Symphony" (9:29)
2. "Wastelands" (4:43)
3. "Scales Of Justice" (5:05)
4. "Dying For An Angel" (4:31)
5. "Blizzard On A Broken Mirror" (6:06)
6. "Runaway Train" (8:44)
7. "Crestfallen" (4:04)
8. "Forever Is A Long Time" (5:06)
9. "Black Wings" (4:39)
10. "States Of Matter" (3:59)
11. "The Edge" (4:13)