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
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