If you are into power metal, the name Avantasia should immediately ring true. Hailed as one of the premiere metal side projects, Tobias Sammet’s (singer of Edguy) outlet for his works outside of Edguy have truly shown his ability to create music outside of his Edguy sphere. Putting together a slew of melodic vocalists to accompany the project, Avantasia is basically the power metal version of Arjen Lucassen’s progressive rock/metal project, Ayreon. In the last few years however, Tobias’ primary group have gone from dramatic, epic and melancholy sounding, to something much more upbeat and far less power metallish in favor of something far more traditional. Personally, I have enjoyed the changes Edguy has gone through, specifically on Hellfire Club and Rocket Ride, but this new direction has not been without criticism from long standing fans. This year, Tobias has decided to resurrect his Avantasia project, but in his own words, this new album entitled The Scarecrow, has adopted a new sound that strays from the Metal Opera days. Does this new angle work, or has Tobias finally molded together that division between his two creative centers?

As I said earlier, I have enjoyed the latest output from Edguy, but I can completely understand the dissatisfaction many fans have had. Edguy has evolved from an emotionally complex series of albums where Tobias really shows his classical voice, to a fun loving heavier version of Van Halen. Obviously, this new approach isn’t as bad as Metallica’s blatant bitch out syndrome, but when an artist decides to change their approach to making music, there is going to be an emotional impact on those who love what they have done in the past. It happens time and time again, and alas, the same thing is happening with The Scarecrow. Tobias has made it perfectly clear that he didn’t want to make another metal opera in the vain that he has before. While The Scarecrow has perhaps the most impressive line-up thus far with appearances from Roy Khan (Kamelot), Alice Cooper, Jorn Lande, Kai Hansen, Michael Kiske and several others, it is very much not the epic power metal album it once was. Many are claiming The Scarecrow has adopted the new Edguy sound, and I disagree. While The Scarecrow is not the epic opera that has made it famous in the past, it still holds its own sound that is more reminiscent of older Avantasia than Edguy. Still though, it is quite apparent that Tobias has moved on in his creative tastes to something a bit more upbeat and dare I say, more mainstream?

To those who are yearning for another addition to the Metal Opera series, you should either not listen to this album, or come into this experience with an open mind, because you won’t hear what Avantasia once was. The Scarecrow is more of a power metal album with a traditional metal/arena rock upbeat feeling (listen to Shelter From the Rain for a good example of older Avantasia).

Regardless of what your prior opinion of Avantasia was, one must accept that this is a new era for both Edguy and Avantasia. As an artist, we can’t expect Tobias to be static and try and appeal time and time again to his fanbase. I have stuck through all of the Edguy material both new and old, and I stick by this album too. Despite the changes, The Scarecrow is still a powerful piece of music with a very impressive cast. Though I will say, that Tobias should have chosen some better songs as his singles because “Lost in Space” and “Carry Me over” are not good representations of the content of this album. Do yourself a favor and try this one out and DON’T judge this by the music videos, because you could be missing out on something new, yet just as good.

VERY GOOD

Top Tracks: The Scarecrow, Another Angel Down
Similar Artists: Edguy, Masterplan, Hammerfall, Gotthard

1. Twisted Mind 06:12
2. The Scarecrow 11:14
3. Shelter From The Rain 06:11
4. Carry Me Over 03:54
5. What Kind Of Love 04:57
6. Another Angel Down 05:42
7. The Toy Master 06:22
8. Devil In The Belfry 04:41
9. Cry Just A Little 05:14
10. I Don’t Believe In Your Love 05:32
11. Lost In Space 03:52

Line-up:
Tobias Sammet - Vocals & Bass
Sascha Paeth - Guitars
Eric Singer - Drums

Tobias Sammet plays keyboards on track 3
Sascha Paeth plays lead guitar on tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 & 9, and keyboards on
tracks 5 & 7

Guests:
Track 01: Roy Khan (vocals), Miro (keyboards)
Track 02: Jorn Lande, Michael Kiske (vocals), Henjo Richter (lead
guitars), Miro (orchestration)
Track 03: Michael Kiske, Bob Catley (vocals), Henjo Richter, Kai Hansen
(lead guitars)
Track 04: Miro (keyboards)
Track 05: Amanda Somerville, Michael Kiske (vocals), Miro (sequencing &
orchestration)
Track 06: Jorn Lande (vocals), Henjo Richter (lead guitars), Miro
(keyboards)
Track 07: Alice Cooper (vocals), Henjo Richter (lead guitars)
Track 08: Jorn Lande (vocals), Henjo Richter (lead guitars)
Track 09: Bob Catley (vocals), Miro (keyboards & orchestraton)
Track 10: Oliver Hartmann (vocals), Rudolph Schenker (lead guitars)
Track 11: Amanda Somerville (vocals), Miro (keyboards)

Line Up taken from metal-archives.com

Nuclear Blast Records
http://www.tobiassammet.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tobiassammet

Written by CODY