Avantasia - The Metal Opera (Part II)
I was really looking forward to this release. I loved "Avantasia Part I" with its awesome melodic songs, great atmosphere and quite exciting story. It would be interesting to hear if Tobias Sammet could continue the high standard set by that album.

Part II has the best start I could have imagined. Starting out with the 14 minute epic The seven angels. This song has it all, atmospheric choirs, fast melodic parts, huge choruses, beautiful piano parts and above all, awesome singing. Especially the lines by David Defeis are excellent. I can't help it, but some parts in the middle of this song (9:35) make me think of Jim Steinman when he was at the peak of his songwriting with Meat Loaf (Bat out of hell I & II). This is a brilliant song and one of the biggest highlights of the album.

No return continues the Sammet tradition of writing excellent melodic speed metal songs. This is a fast melodic song with an awesome chorus. The song has a cool bridge leading up to the chorus. Melodic metal heaven starts right here...

The looking glass slows things down a bit with its heavy drive. Enjoy that great atmospheric bridge right before the chorus. This song gets better and better with each listen. Excellent! Bob Catley sings like I've never heard him sing before on this one.

On In quest for more Bob Catley is back and he really shines on this ballad. I love his voice and here it gives the song a very special feeling. It brings back memories of his classic "Middle Earth" album.

The ending fades nicely into The Final sacrifice, which is another highlight of the album. I was surprised that it was included here as it was already released on the Avantasia single back in 2000. It's only another plus for the album though as it fits nicely here. David Defeis (Virgin Steele) rules the song when his charismatic voice takes over and makes the song even more powerful than it already is. His screams help build a great atmosphere on this song. This is the exact same version as on the single as far as I can hear. The only difference is the production, which is somewhat thicker and heavier here.

Neverland is another of my favorites. Damn Mr. Sammet, You really know how to write majestic metal songs. This chorus has stayed in my head for several weeks ever since I heard the album for the first time.

Well, I don't think I will describe every song on the album. There should be something to discover for yourself. Let me just say that the high standard continues through the rest of the songs. Just wait till you hear Chalice of agony where Kai Hansen and Andre Matos make an appearance. Holy cow... What a song. Oh, and see if you recognize that piano intro to Anywhere...

The production of the album is excellent. A little thicker and heavier than Part I but very close to that sound.

All the different singers put their own touch on the album, but Tobias Sammet somehow outshines them all. His voice is getting better and better with each release. Amazing.

All the songs are excellent and after listening to the album more than 15 times it is still growing on me. Many small touches make their appearance with each listen and by now the album is very close to the same status as Part I. I still feel a little something is missing before proclaiming it a classic though. I can always ask for more and it would have been nice with a few more fast songs. It's probably a matter of personal taste.

I won't compare Part I and II too much, but instead look at them as one big feast of a Metal Opera. It doesn't get much better than this.

To sum it up: This is symphonic heavy metal at it's very best and a fitting end to one of the best Metal Opera's ever created.

Written by Steen
Wednesday, August 28, 2002
Show all reviews by Steen

Ratings

Steen: 9/10

Members: 10/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



Member ratings

Profile pictureDark Lord

Rating: 10/10
No review was posted

This article has been shown 11472 times. Go to the complete list.



RevelationZ Comments


Comment by Bjarne P. (Anonymous) - Tuesday, July 9, 2002
I've heard this record yesterday,and it kicks ass....I really dig this one.....Tobias Sammet RULES.


Comment by Javier Velasquez from Chile (Anonymous) - Wednesday, October 16, 2002
HI FRIENDS,I'M LISTENING THE ALBUM RIGHT NOW,IT'S AMAZING..TOBBIAS RULES THE METAL ATMOSPHERE...GREAT CHORUSES....WHAT CAN I SAY..BRILLIANT!!!!!



Comment by Jon Davis (Anonymous) - Thursday, October 31, 2002
Heard the cd twice now all the way through, this one won't leave my cd player for a long time. This has a heavier sound to it, if I had to choose between the two I'd take the first one. Still Avantasia cd's are the best around. Sad the story has to end here.


Comment by Brian Ewert 12/18/02 (Anonymous) - Thursday, December 19, 2002
Part 1 - 10! Part 2 - 9. Almost as good as 1. More mellow ballads... and a mix of TSO, MeatLoaf, and Judas Priest sounding tunes that are cool but not as FRESH! Lots of double bass without the snare ripping out 16th raps all the time. Mystical Lyrics, Fantasy, up beat!


Comment by Japie Marais webmaster of www.dinodaurdays.co.za (Anonymous) - Wednesday, April 2, 2003
Much better than the first one. The first one bored me to death. This one is an epic.


Comment by Peter (Anonymous) - Saturday, January 3, 2004
This one is good, but it's far from as good as the first chapter.


Comment by Mads Aanum (Anonymous) - Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Hey Steen...
I would probably rate this album 8/10, it kicks ass and has something wonderful magical about it. Tobias has a way of creating brilliant music. and the AVANTASIA metal opera is no exception I love the power of this album as well as the first album. both are great and powerful the way I like it...




Comment by yeea (Anonymous) - Friday, May 28, 2004
well f*ck the ratings, this is power f*cking metal as it should be ....and yeah, holy cow, chalice of agony!!!!!!!


Comment by jopao paulo (Anonymous) - Tuesday, May 3, 2005
very good!!!!!!
the best of the world!!!!!


Comment by krazy kelvin (Anonymous) - Wednesday, July 19, 2006
If you really aren't gonna do a Metal Opera part 3 then how about something similar? I'm sure all the fans out there will agree. C'mon Tobias, do a survey and see what your fans really want!!!


Comment by Bruno (Anonymous) - Saturday, August 4, 2007
Well, What can I say? This one is just the best metal disc of all time. Love the seven angels song and all others.
Wish someday mr. Sammet wake up thinking about the metal opera (Pt III)











Review by Steen
None

Released by
AFM Records - 2002

Tracklisting
1. The Seven Angels
2. No Return
3. The Looking Glass
4. In Quest For
5. The Final Sacrifice
6. Neverland
7. Anywhere
8. Chalice Of Agony
9. Memory
10. Into The Unknow


Style
Symphonic Heavy Metal

Related links
Visit the band page

Avantasia - Official Website

Other articles
The Metal Opera Pt.1 - (Tommy)

The Scarecrow - (Steen)

Angel of Babylon - (Sandra)



Z supported shopping






Ratings
1 - Horrifying
2 - Terrible
3 - Bad
4 - Below average
5 - Average
6 - Good
7 - Very good
8 - Outstanding
9 - Genius
10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

More details...


Daily Spotlight
Stratovarius - Elysium
CoverThis is the second album from Stratovarius without its previous heart and band founder, Timo Tolkki. There's no denying that ....
Read full review















Retro Reviews

(Michael)
Graham Bonnet - Line Up
CoverGraham Bonnet's discography is quite impressive. In 1979 he got his breakthrough when he did vocals on Rainbow's album "Down to Earth". The album produced two smash hits Since You´ve Been Gone....
Read full review






(Steen)
Annihilator - Set The World On Fire - Re-release
CoverBack in 1993, Set the world on fire was my first aquaintance with Annihilator and it captured me at once. This is Heavy Metal of the best kind. It marries heaviness, melody, humor and cool solos into ....
Read full review








Archive
 · Albums of the month
 · Retro Reviews
































Back to the top - © 2002-2011 RevelationZ Magazine - Back to the top