Avantasia
- Rock Metal Machine
- Mar 31
- 8 min read
Artists: Avantasia
Venue: London, The Roundhouse
Date: 24 March 2025
"Sammet has once again delivered on his promise to create an amazing show for all who came along. Be it writing, performing, singing or just engaging in a bit of banter, he’s always top-drawer and Avantasia’s main man was once again fabulous."
I’m sure I am like many of us who go to gigs regularly. More often than not, a gig is just that, a gig… a band/artist I have seen several times and who I would expect to see much the same again for tours to come. Admittedly, the old “they’ll be touring again next year/album” can be deadly as I have found out a couple of times. Then there are gigs that are an event! This could be simply due to who and their show (Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Iron Maiden), the location (Hyde Park, Wembley, Donington), a particular reason (anniversary, reformation, farewell tour) or a special collection of stars together doing something different (LiveAid, 9/11 NY Concert). There is another that should be celebrated under the same banner because an Avantasia show (and especially a headline arena tour) is an event!
For those less familiar, Avantasia is an all-star Metal project created by Tobias Sammet some twenty-five years ago. Unlike his other group Edguy, Sammet is the lone creative mastermind behind Avantasia. and he conjures up suitably fantastic worlds and concepts across the band’s ten studio albums. To bring these to life, he uses a plethora of famous Rock/Metal guests alongside his own vocals. One thing that sets Avantasia apart is the collective regularly tour, often playing dates through the summer at various festivals like Wacken, and every so often they embark on a multi-week arena tour, bringing the full vision of Avantasia to their own headline shows.
I saw the last tour in 2019 and was more than looking forward to another evening with Sammet and his musical mates. Once the arena doors opened, the large crowd started to file in. The massed throng was so large that we were informed the show would start a touch later to make sure everyone got in. By the time showtime came around, The Roundhouse appeared to have packed out nicely on the floor with just some space at the back by the bars and toilets.
Now, I could very easily have peaked too early this evening, and let’s be fair, none of us want that to happen in public. I have made no secret that I absolutely love ‘Creepshow’ from the new album and it was tailor-made to my mind for opening a show – and so it came to pass. The curtain disappeared to reveal a glorious set made up of four “concrete” pillars with old-school lights connected by black “iron” railings and a large double metal gate like those on stately homes. On the right, the lower raised section had keyboardist Miro Rodenberg, and above him the three lead/backing singers – Adrienne Cowan (Seven Spires), Herbie Langhans (Firewind, Beyond The Black) and Chiara Tricarico (Moonlight Haze). On the left were drummer Felix Bohnke and bassist André Neygenfind. That left the main stage to guitarists Sascha Paeth and Arne Wiegand, and of course Sammet and the rest of the gang. Behind that were various smoke projectors that billowed plums upward and several pyrotechnic flames that exploded regularly. Finally, it was all finished off with a huge backdrop that provided everything from a mansion for the set and my favourite skeleton in his hat, to cover art like ‘The Wicked Symphony’ and ‘The Scarecrow’. Five guys standing on a stage with some lights this absolutely was not.
The tinkling of the keys signalled the arrival of ‘Creepshow’ and the gig exploded with the catchiest song I’ve heard in years. Yes, it’s a bit Edguy, no I don’t care. That catchy “get up, get up, c’mon” chant is just perfect and within moments our ringmaster for the evening strutted on to stage, hat and all. The crowd reacted in all the right places and it all sounded rather splendid from my vantage point in front of the mixing desk. “Welcome to the Creepshow” repeats went down rather well and Paeth got a massive roar for his solo, egged on of course by our conductor. Expectations met Mr. Sammet, nicely done.
From there, the crowd at The Roundhouse were treated to a twenty-plus set with eight different singers joining Sammet on stage, and sometimes without him. These included Tommy Karevik (Kamelot/Seventh Wonder), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Kenny Leckremo (H.e.a.t.) and one special guest that I believe only appeared on the London date.
Adrienne Cowan was the first to step forward for ‘Reach Out For The Light’, dueting together as the musicians tore off at breakneck speed. She once again displayed that amazing vocal roar that so caught my attention last tour, including one bloody epic scream prior to some “hey” chants. Sammet also announced there were no rules, bar shouting loudly for “London” and “England”. We all know that bands are always at their favourite place, but Sammet’s love for these isles is well known and felt genuine. Karevik was next up to the mic for the ripper that it ‘The Witch’ from the latest album and he delivered a tour-de-force with Sammet, especially for that catchy chorus. Sammet started solo for ‘Devil In The Belfry’ but soon after Langhans stepped down and joined him. Both of them prowled round the stage and raised their voices for the chorus. If any further vocal power was required, the appearance of Atkins satiated that desire for the riotous ‘Phantasmagoria’. Sammet engaged in some Coverdale-esque mic stand swings and some rather groovy ‘Footloose’ type dance moves before the Danish powerhouse appeared second verse with that unmistakable voice and some loud roars. Things slowed down at this point for the gorgeous ‘What’s Left For Me’ and the introduction of Martin. He provided the first half of the song before Sammet reappeared to duet with him. This was one of my favourites from the night.
The two of them remained on stage for the belter that is ‘Dying For An Angel’, a song I love as did many others. The two of them bounced off each other before getting the crowd going for the chorus. I’m not sure which one it was, but either Tricarico or Cowan really added to the gang vocals and the clap along was impressive mid-song. Leckremo made his first appearance for the Power Metal sprint that is ‘Against The Wind’ before Karevik delighted everyone once again with his performance during the new album epic title track ‘Here Be Dragons’. One patron near me had shouted a couple of times, “Unleash the Catley…” and he soon got his wish with the great Bob Catley (Magnum) being the special London guest. Looking resplendent in a black shirt with gold braiding, he started solo for ‘The Story Ain’t Over’ and what an unadulterated joy it was to see the legendary vocalist. The crowd sang along in unison and especially for the chorus as Catley provided his usual theatrical gestures. When it reached its crescendo, with clap-along, singing, cheering and Tricarico making it a trio, it was all a bit goose-bumpy.
By this stage I had moved farther back to enjoy from a different vantage point. Now, I like myself a bit of Celtic and a jig, so welcomed ‘Avalon’ with enthusiasm, especially as it gave us all a chance to witness the Cowan’s pillar-cracking screams. A lively clap-along and plenty of “heys” greeted the opening of the eleven-minute ‘Let The Storm Descend Upon You’. This track saw a trio of vocalists as Sammet gave way to Langhans and Atkins before all three took various parts. Sammet took a breather during ‘Promised Land’ so Atkins and Martin could take centre stage. Both shone during the calmer mid-section before a pair of guitar solos. Sammet had another rare solo track with ‘Toymaster’ before Atkins and Martin returned again for another pairing with ‘Twisted Mind’, the crowd’s “woohoo-woohoo” in the middle sounded pretty beefy from my viewpoint. The place was nicely cooking and it was time for the behemoth that is ‘The Wicked Symphony’ which was superbly performed via more vocal tornados from Karevik and Leckremo. It was another highlight for the evening.
The pacey ‘Shelter From The Rain’ bought an avalanche of drums and bass backing Langhans and Leckremo who scampered around the stage; mid-song, “The Catley” delighted the crowd with another hand-waving performance. It appeared to become infectious as the opening to ‘Farewell’ provided one of the gig’s most visual moments as the entire floor waved their hands from side to side at the start and again mid-song, also proving the “Woooo” chants. The choral sing along was also given with enthusiasm and Tricarico proved to be a wonderful partner for Sammet for this slowie. The whole pace was soon clapping along and chanting “hey” again to the Celtic opening of the cracking ‘The Scarecrow’. Sammet was ably supported by the crowd for the first part, then joined by Atkins who really gave his lines some bite. Loving teal and purple colours, the stage lighting and cover art colour chance were gorgeous. Sammet relished the creepy start to ‘Death Is Just A Feeling’, a chance to really ham it up, and this upbeat number brought the main set to a close.
The encore opened beautifully with Sammet sat mid-stage at a black grand piano. The flames coming out the top were a fun touch and the song soon took off with the rest of the musicians joining in. All too soon, although I suspect not for the performers after such an energetic, giant performance, the end was reached. Sadly, due to the late start, ‘Lost In Space’ was, well, lost in time which is a shame as I love that track. Pumping fists and “hey” chants welcomed the closing pairing of ‘Sign Of The Cross’/‘The Seven Angels’. Sammet took the opening then Cowan jumped in before the crowd claps were orchestrated. Tricarico also chipped in as the title was shouted loudly. Without missing a beat, the song immediately sprang into ‘…Angels’ and all the vocalists strolled onto the stage and provided a fitting finale with all their voices sailing to the roof atop a wall of cheers and singing. It was a sight to see some thirteen/fourteen artists all together, and take a look at that in any number of the videos on the net, if only to understand what a Herculean organisational operation it must have taken to get this show on the road.
I doubt I need to make much of my conclusion of tonight’s show? Suffice to say I thought the whole show, from the musicians and vocalists to the presentation and visuals, was absolutely magnificent. The sound was excellent and everyone gave superb performances. Sammet has once again delivered on his promise to create an amazing show for all who came along. Be it writing, performing, singing or just engaging in a bit of banter, he’s always top-drawer and Avantasia’s main man was once again fabulous. Of the guests, Karevik just sneaks top honours with a barnstorming performance each time he came out and once again showed why is he is such a great frontman. All in all, an absolute monster of an evening and I hope we can all do it one day again in the near future. After all, this wasn’t just any old gig, it was a Marks &… no, stop there, I just can’t do it… it was more than that, it was truly an event.
Review: Dave Scott
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