Search - Avantasia :: Metal Opera

The power metal version of a Disney soundtrack...

Paul E. Palubinski | Denver, CO USA | 02/14/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to be honest and upfront in saying that I am not a huge fan of Edguy, and when I got this album, I approached it with caution (due to the fact that it has Tobias Sammet's name on it)... And, for something with an enormous title like 'The Metal Opera', I had some pretty high expectations going in. Upon the first few listens, I wasn't extremely disappointed, but I also wasn't that blown away.



The first thing that I thought was kind of a let down was that there were so many guest musicians involved on this album, but it didn't really seem like they were given much of an opportunity to throw their ideas into the mix. There are some solid tracks here, but they all have a similar style/feel to them, which makes me think that Sammet held firmly onto the reigns during the song writing process. Is that a fair judgement? Probably not, since it is HIS project. But I felt that it limited the scope a bit...



The most notable guest appearance for me on this album was Rob Rock, especially on the Glory of Rome track. He has an amazing voice, and his performance is superb. He actually invited Tobias Sammet to be a guest vocalist on the closing track of his own 'Holy Hell' album (which is pretty cool).



After I listened to 'The Metal Opera' a few times, it started sounding like the power metal version of a Disney movie soundtrack to me. It's something that I haven't been able to shake off, either. I can see how Sammet wanted to create a massive and magnificent concept album, but the purpose is lost in the exaggerated and turgid theatrics.



The bottom line is that once I got over the whole name and idea behind this album, and just enjoyed it as I would any other power metal album, it became really good. The songs are tight - there is definitely a sense of progression and variety. Sammet is a strong songwriter, and managed to incorporate a lot of different themes and ideas into the tracks. I would certainly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the genre, and it is probably a real gem for any Edguy fans out there.



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So Safe, It's Sad

Andrew DiGelsomina | Burlington, Vermont | 07/13/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I don't mean to be unkind, but this is another release where every song sounds pretty much the same, in the "bad way". What's the difference between this, Kamelot, Dragonforce, Stratovarious, the recent Axel Rudi Pell, ad infinitum, ad nauseum?



Every song is so overproduced/seamless that there's no way to have any deep, emotional connection to it. This sounds like something that someone came up with on a computer. The instrumentation in particular. I hear the same old, calculator guitar solos and double-yawn, overly produced drums everywhere here.



Try spinning this, and then throw on Rainbow Rising. The difference in quality is striking. One never feels "moved" by this "Metal Opera". It's more a "wow they play fast" and "gee, there's a high note" type of listen.



Even better, go listen to the Georg Solti-conducted "Ring Des Nibelungen", which is the prime recording of Richard Wagner's most amazing opera. You'll feel so much more, on so many different levels.



Granted, most of the vocalists here are outstanding, but for some reason (I think it's mostly the WAY this cd was recorded) they mostly sound completely alike.





Bottom line, I remember NOTHING off of this cd. I certainly can't say that about the latest Manowar (also qualifiable as a "Metal Opera"). Their "Gods of War" has that EDGE to it, the kind that makes it seem as though PEOPLE made the album, not some computer program.



Four stars for the excellent singers on "The Metal Opera". 0 stars for everything else on it. Averages out to two (you knew that).



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