AVANTASIA – Here Be Dragons (Album Review)

The unstoppable heavy metal force known as Avantasia is set to release its latest album,  Here Be Dragons, on February 28th, 2025. This release will be the band’s tenth studio album, and mastermind Tobias Sammet aims to write a new golden chapter in the band’s glittering career, which has spanned over a quarter of a century.

Some might believe that at this stage in Tobias Sammet’s prolific and enduring career, there is nothing left to discover — that the German artist has revealed all his tricks and that his lineup of guest singers has grown predictable. However, Here Be Dragons will surely make them think again.

A distinctive feature of Avantasia is its cast of exceptional guest singers, each of whom has left an indelible mark on the world of rock and metal. While this new album holds no surprises in that regard — since all the guests have previously collaborated with Tobias — it’s undeniable that their iconic voices have helped solidify Avantasia as a powerhouse in power metal.

Tobias’s latest effort aims to merge Avantasia’s classic sound with a fresh musical direction, striking a solid balance between the old and the new, the familiar and the uncharted. The result is a highly diverse album where various songs come together, ranging from epic and uplifting to anthemic and deeply heartfelt ballads. Here Be Dragons represents a new approach to Avantasia’s music, and it is undeniably refreshing.

As a first glimpse of what the band has in store for listeners, we encounter “Creepshow,” a straightforward, concise, and catchy track that serves as the new album’s first single. All symphonic elements have been set aside for this track, resulting in an accessible, radio-friendly, ‘80s-inspired rock song that echoes Tobias‘s former band, Edguy. Sammet delivers a theatrical performance that draws the listener into the supernatural spectacle about to unfold. With vibrant, electrifying energy, the song features a catchy chorus destined to be sung in arenas across the upcoming Avantasia tour.

For the title track “Here Be Dragons”, Tobias joins forces with the brilliant Geoff Tate, who, as always, delivers a stellar performance. This track, the longest on the album, is primarily a duet between the two singers, with symphonic elements making a return to create a heartfelt mid-tempo song rich in mellow melodies.

“The Moorlands at Twilight” picks up the pace, delivering a track that seamlessly shifts between speed and classic power metal. The music echoes Avantasia’s early sound, heavily inspired by bands like Helloween, making it only fitting that the magnificent Michael Kiske joins Tobias. The song maintains a Stratovarius-style keyboard foundation, setting the stage for the lead guitars to unleash a series of extensive, fierce solos at thrilling speed.

The album takes a darker, more dramatic turn with “The Witch”, which features a gloomy atmosphere that allows the duo of Sammet and the fabulous Tommy Karevik to shine. The song shifts between epic power metal grandeur and constant melodic hooks. The instrumentation is immersive, with Sascha’s crushing guitar riffs creating a striking contrast to the melodic interplay between the two singers, culminating in a catchy chorus that will make this song an instant classic for the band.

“Phantasmagoria” follows with a more direct, concise, and accessible track featuring the powerful Ronnie Atkins. The result is a practical and more straightforward song than the rest of the album. However, it remains an enjoyable listen, with interesting shifts in its structure without ever feeling convoluted.

Avantasia‘s music has several distinctive elements, but one plays a crucial role in the band’s success. Tobias‘s choruses are often unforgettable, especially when sung alongside Bob Catley‘s smooth, magical voice. The two musicians reunite in “Bring on the Night”, delivering yet another memorable collaboration filled with melodic hooks, a catchy chorus, and a beautifully melancholic atmosphere. The instrumentation is rich in melody, with mellow keyboards taking center stage, allowing Catley‘s voice to shine as always. With this track, Avantasia has crafted another staple for their live performances.

“Unleash the Kraken” is the second and final song on the album featuring Tobias as the sole vocalist. In it, he unleashes his distinctive vocal power full of dramatic intensity and aggression. The song starts off softly and calmly before a heavy storm of pure power metal breaks loose, with fast, powerful, and crushing riffs. Sascha Paeth shows no mercy with this one.

The following track “Avalon”, offers a track infused with a Celtic atmosphere, featuring the versatile and impressive Adrienne Cowen as the chosen guest. The instrumentation feels festive, blending orchestral passages, folk elements, and precise power metal, resulting in a mid-tempo piece enriched by the striking contrast between Sammet and Cowen’s voices.

For the next song, Avantasia ventures into hard rock, enlisting the expressive and intense Kenny Leckremo, vocalist of H.E.A.T. to perform “Against the Wind”. In a duet with Tobias, he helps craft a track reminiscent of The Metal Opera era, blending power and emotion in a precise balance that shifts between power and heavy metal. Conceptually, the song is a testament to the strength of will, staying true to oneself, and achieving one’s goals. It feels as though Tobias is telling us that this is his music, how he feels it, composes it, and brings it to life.

After an intense journey filled with furious riffs, epic orchestrations, killer solos, and catchy choruses, Avantasia closes the album with an emotive power ballad. “Everybody’s Here Until the End” is an emotional, melancholic, and haunting piece. Supported by Roy Khan‘s hypnotic voice, this track brings the album to a close with a unique emotional intensity, where orchestral arrangements, sublime piano notes, and the moving performances of Toby and Roy come together for a stellar and touching finale to Here Be Dragons.

Overall, Here Be Dragons presents a more dynamic, adventurous, and revitalized Tobias, seamlessly blending Avantasia’s trademarks with fresh sonic approaches that bring new life to the album. The signature elements of classic Avantasia remain intact to satisfy longtime fans, but this time, they are delivered with renewed energy and dynamism.

Released By: Napalm Records
Release Date: February 28th, 2025
Genre: Power Metal

Musicians:

• Tobias Sammet / Vocals, bass, keytar
• Felix Bohnke / Drums
• Sascha Paeth / Guitar
• Michael Rodenberg / Drums, keyboards

Here Be Dragons Track-Listing:

1. Creepshow
2. Here Be Dragons (Featuring Geoff Tate)
3. The Moorland at Twilight (Featuring Michael Kiske)
4. The Witch (Featuring Tommy Karevik)
5. Phantasmagoria (Featuring. Ronnie Atkins)
6. Bring on the Night (Featuring Bob Catley)
7. Unleash the Kraken
8. Avalon (Featuring Adrienne Cowan)
9. Against the Wind (Featuring Kenny Leckremo)
10. Everybody’s Here Until the End (Featuring Roy Khan)

Pre-order Here Be Dragons here