AVANTASIA: A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society (MELODIC METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

With "Moonglow", Avantasia has definitely established itself as a band capable of headlining major festivals. Composed during the pandemic, the new album is called "A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society". Presenting a cover close to "Moonglow", it finds a phantasmagorical universe with characters wishing to flee a dark world to take refuge in the imaginary. Shorter than its predecessors, the album proposes above all songs with direct and simplified structures.

Sammet sings alone on 'Welcome To The Shadows'. Melancholic and cinematographic, the title alternates dark passages carried by the keyboard and melodic speed parts. 'The Wicked Of The Night' allows us to appreciate the vocal power of Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) which mixes with the softer voice of Sammet. This melodic speed track with some great soli is simply excellent. 'Kill The Pain Away', more direct, heavy and symphonic is carried by the warm and powerful voice of Floor Jansen (Nighwish) and his association with Tobias is remarkable. 'Misplaced Among The Angels' is a melancholic ballad in which Floor's vocals give the shivers as they fit perfectly with Avantasia's music.

Tobias Sammet also reunites with his long-time friends, perfect companions for his melodic tone. Michael Kiske (Helloween) and Jorn Lande first of all, who bring their power and class to 'The Immost Ligth' and 'I Tame The Storm', two simple and direct songs with unstoppable choruses and impeccable soli. Ronnie Atkins and Bob Catley then, who give an FM color and a real warmth to 'Paper Plane' and 'The Moonflower Society', two very melodic tracks which should be a hit on stage and in which the keyboard is very present.

On 'Rhyme And Reason', it's Eric Martin from Mr Big who brings a melodic touch in front of a rather aggressive Sammet. The result, more Hard Rock than Metal, is then similar to a kind of vocal joust with a chorus that hits the bull's eye. 'Scars' is a superb title with a pleasant melody in which Geoff Tate shines while 'Arabesque', long piece tinged with folk, allows us to appreciate simultaneously the vocals of Kiske, Lande and Sammet for a great moment of epic metal opera with instrumental parts close to the spirit of Queen.

With "A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society", Tobias Sammet signs the most direct record of Avantasia's career. In doing so, he breathes new life into an adventure that began twenty years ago and that still seems to have a long way to go. - Official website

AVANTASIA

A PARANORMAL EVENING WITH THE MOONFLOWER SOCIETY

NUCLEAR BLAST

MELODIC METAL