Tobias Sammet is truly a man of genius. Not everyone at his age could have so many excellent works under their belt. This time Tobi has delighted us with the comeback of his rock opera project Avantasia, which at the start of the new millennium made a splash with a magnificent two-part story. This time, such monsters of the microphone stand as Roy Khan (Kamelot), Oliver Hartmann (ex-At Vance), Bob Catley (Magnum), Michael Kiske, Jorn Lande, and the great and terrifying Alice Cooper were called upon to help. Additionally, string masters Kai Hansen, Henjo Richter (GAMMA RAY), and Rudolf Schenker (Scorpions) made guest appearances, while Michael "Miro" Rodenberg (ex-Luca Turilli) handled keyboards. I seriously doubt that anything could go wrong with such a lineup, but Tobias had made his fans nervous with his recent Edguy works -- a certain stagnation was looming. However, the fears proved unfounded -- Sammet created a magnificent album that was equally magnificently performed. Among the album's highlights, I'd note Alice Cooper's excellent participation -- his "The Toy Master" is perhaps the most original and unusual track. As a devoted Kamelot fan, I was somewhat disappointed by the limited use of Roy Khan's vocals, but what can you do -- with such a rich selection of diverse and equally powerful voices, it's simply impossible to please everyone. On the other hand, Lande once again distinguished himself -- the versatility of his voice never ceases to amaze. In short, I see no reason to beat around the bush, so let me summarize: an excellent album, magnificent music, exquisite voices. Almost a masterpiece.
