1. The Wicked Symphony
2. Wastelands
3. Scales of Justice
4. Dying For An Angel
5. Blizzard On A Broken Mirror
6. Runaway Train
7. Crestfallen
8. Forever Is A Long Time
9. Black Wings
10. States of Matter
11. The Edge
Lineup:
Tobias Sammet (vocals, bass)
Sascha Paeth (guitars)
Eric Singer (drums)
Miro (keyboards/orchestrations)
Guest musicians (copied from Metal Archives):
Bruce Kulick Guitars (tracks 6, 11)
Oliver Hartmann Guitars (tracks 2, 7, 8), Vocals (backing)
Felix Bohnke Drums (tracks 1, 5, 9, 11)
Alex Holzwarth Drums (tracks 3, 8, 10)
Simon Oberender (R.I.P. 2012) Organ (track 11)
Jørn Lande Vocals (lead) (tracks 1, 6-8)
Michael Kiske Vocals (lead) (tracks 2, 6)
Russell Allen Vocals (lead) (tracks 1, 10)
Bob Catley Vocals (lead) (track 6)
Klaus Meine Vocals (lead) (track 4)
Tim "Ripper" Owens Vocals (lead) (track 3)
Andre Matos Vocals (lead) (track 5)
Ralf Zdiarstek Vocals (lead) (track 9)
Cloudy Yang Vocals (backing)
Amanda Somerville Vocals (backing)
Tiffany Kirkland Vocals (backing)
Ina Morgan Vocals (backing)
Cinzia Rizzo Vocals (backing)
Thomas Rettke Vocals (backing)
Matthias Kontny Vocals (backing)
Michael Voy Vocals (backing)
Earlier in the thread I may have said, or strongly suggested, that Metal Opera II was my favorite Avantasia album. I have also, certainly, lamented the sound of 'new' Avantasia. But some days, I think that The Wicked Symphony is easily the best Avantasia album, despite not really sounding like power metal.
Instantly fell in love with this album the second it started playing. I wasn't as jaded about Avantasia then as I am now, but revisiting this for the first time in a while on quality speakers and tweaking my equalizer for it, I really fell in love with it all over again.
I normally dislike the nonsensical lyrics, but on this album they just sound so cool, thanks to great performances by great singers and memorable, creative melodies. Since I'm big on vocals and catchy melodies in music, that's a big win for me. The title track does a great job of showcasing Tobi, Russell, and Jorn, and the chorus is fun as hell.
Runaway Train is one of my favorite rock ballads. Hard to argue it's a metal song, after all. To me it's Bob Catley's best song with Avantasia, bar none. Jorn and Tobi also sound amazing. I think it sounds truly inspired and original. Arguably a top 10 Avantasia song.
I love Shelter From The Rain, don't get me wrong, but I think Wastelands blows it out of the water. First time I heard this I had it on a burnt CD flying down a stretch of highway with the windows down (early April, great weather) and I got major chills. Pure, unadulterated, flawless power metal, one of the best choruses ever, the reason I love Tobi's contributions to power metal etc. etc... 'nuff said.
And the guest list. I'd never been so excited for a guest-filled album before, because the guest list was full of people I both knew *and* loved. Andre Matos. Tim "Ripper" Owens. Michael Kiske. Russell Allen. Jorn Lande. Klaus Meine, for Christ's sake. I'm still amazed by the quality and diverse collection of singers here and how well each of them is used throughout the album.
Dying For An Angel ain't a bad single, but I don't play it too much these days. Crestfallen is a weirder one, but I actually enjoy that one. The chorus is strange and creepy. Forever Is A Long Time is a great rocker that Jorn dominates, and States of Matter is a wonderfully catchy Russell Allen song with no tough guy voice, for those that aren't a fan of his modern style
Black Wings and The Edge - some days I like them, some days I don't. I don't think they're bad, but they're a bit bland compared to the rest of the album. I'd still take them over some of what's on Angel of Babylon... but that's for next week.