Avantasia - 'Here Be Dragons'

Some of my colleagues have mused if it’s too early to crown Album Of The Year... no it isn’t. ‘Here Be Dragons’ is sensational and it’ll take something fecking outstanding to top this in 2025.

A dragon is often portrayed as a massive, magnificent and powerful beast, and that’s quite appropriate title- wise as here be ten massive, magnificent and powerful tracks.

I’m a huge fan of Tobias Sammet’s all-star juggernaut and await each release eagerly. ‘Here Be Dragons’ is Avantasia’s tenth album, and includes contributions from Roy Khan (Kamelot), Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche), Adrienne Cowan (Seven Spires), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Kenny Leckremo (H.e.a.t), Michael Kiske (Helloween) and Bob Catley (Magnum). This time, Avantasia’s Maestro has eschewed any concept/ story to deliver ten songs with no limitations. Oh, and it’s also an absolute monster.

Opening with the Sammet-led, Edguy-tilting ‘Creepshow’ is absolutely deadly. It has to be the catchiest song I’ve heard in years and it’s been on repeat numerous times when I’ve intended to listen to the whole album. This stunner will rampage around your mind for weeks, harder to evict than a tantrum-throwing ‘Big Brother’ contestant. The video is just as moorish and this’ll blow the roof off live.

‘Phantasmagoria’ with Atkins is a stomping verse, roaring chorus delight, while ‘The Moorlands At Twilight’ featuring Kiske is a Power Metal blaster with a chorus that takes off like a NASA rocket. I adore the Metal-infused Celtic romp of ‘Avalon’ where Sammet and Cowan duet, the verse bounds along to a backing vocal filled chorus and jig-like melody. Leckremo’s ‘Against The Wind’ delivers another tear-away dose of Power Metal and a chorus you’ll wail loudly to, as does Sammet’s ‘Unleash The Kraken’ that pounds along with intent.

The title-track is the only long offering at nine minutes as Sammet and Tate guide you through its varied stages. Along with the opener, there are two other tracks that are as addictive as Pringles. Firstly, ‘The Witch’ sees Karevik and Sammet swoop and soar along with an epic choir and mind-burning chorus. ‘Bring On The Night’ finds Catley delivering his usual emotional vocals to a mid-paced rocker that has a dash of the eighties; oh, and that chorus, good grief, and listen out for the little eighties movie-sounding scaling solo and bridge. Khan’s sailing power ballad ‘Everybody’s Here Until The End’ closes things out.

Some of my colleagues have mused if it’s too early to crown Album Of The Year... no it isn’t. ‘Here Be Dragons’ is sensational and it’ll take something fecking outstanding to top this in 2025. Now, just one more play of ‘Creepshow’....

Reviewer: Dave Scott

Label: Napalm

Genre: Symphonic Metal

Issue Reviewed In: 110