Band: 's Avalon (FIN) Genre: Symphonic Label: Albumtitle: Angels Of The Apocalypse Duration: 50:28 Min Releasedate: 16.05.2014

So there it is, the continuation of the new project of ' God of strings Timo Tolkki. The concept album "Angels of the Apocalypse" reports on four angels, which reflect the four elements and which are able to travel through time. Furthermore it's about the induction of the Judgment Day. Mister Tolkki got several well-known guest stars on the micro for this epic tale, what surely gains him a few points. Therefore one gets to listen to the powerfull voice of 's Shouter David DeFeis, as well as to the voices of (current voice of ), (Epica), (), Zachary Stevens (Savatage) and the slightly less known Ladies (Amaranth) and Caterine Nix, who works currently at her debut album, which is produced by Tolkki as well. Regarding the vocals there's therefore surely nothing to nag about and many facets are served. Musically, drummer Tuomo Lassila is in first place of the availability. He played from 1987 til 1995 personally alongside of Tolkki and he was currently on the road with the band Conquest. The chemistry is right there, what can be felt and heard due to the new songs. Keyboardist Antti Ikonen was equally long in Stratovarius working with Tolkki and on the new work he also does his job masterly great.

After the completely chanted solo and somehow goosebumps causing intro, it directly starts off with "Jerusalem is Falling". The epic symphonic power metal track reminds audible of slighty gloomy Stratovarius' moments and smooths the way for the rest of the album, which comes along more apocalyptic and (as already mentioned) more gloomy in regard of the entire tenor than its predecessor.

By "Design the Century" the first single of the album follows right away. It gets animated with the matching atmosphere by the current vocalist of Nightwish. The classic chorals in the background are hereby even stronger present than in the opener, what I like pretty much. The riffing and also the solos of mastermind Tolkki are times loose, times like a shot and always melodic and they stick to the ear too. By the way, all the songs blend into each other almost seamlessy, thus the disc seems like a gigantic, opus. There are of course some absolutly bullseyes to report by the great earworm "Rise of the 4th Reich", the with great keyboards provided and reminding of the classic Stratovarius "Stargate Atlantis", the emotional bombast ballads "You'll Bleed Forever" and "High Above of Me" and finally the epic title track.

Conclusion: "Angels of the Apocalypse" doesn't reinvent the wheel regarding symphonic power metal, but it rides it with a lot of drive and bombast. Many great moments, fine melodies, catchy refrains and an all-star cast, which applies its skills. However, it's also a fact that many things seem to be already known like that or in a similar way in a different place. That's no too big shortfall, though, considering the very high quality of the music, which was served here. The concept of the entire opus is planned as a triology. Thus the friend of symphonic power metal can be eager for a soon continuation.

Rating: 9/10

Metal Only e.V. Wolfgang Steiner Hohenstaufenstr. 56 D-73779 Deizisau [email protected] www.metal-only.de

Recommendations: "Rise of the 4th Reich", "Stargate Atlantis" and "Angels of the Apocalypse"

Weblink: http://avalonopera.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/avalonopera

Lineup:

Timo Tolkki - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards Tuomo Lassila - Drums Antti Ikonen - Keyboards Nicholas Jeudy - Orchestration Floor Jansen, Simone Simons, Fabio Lione, David DeFeis, Zachary Stevens, Elize Ryd, Caterina Nix - Vocals

Tracklist:

01. Song For Eden 02. Jerusalem Is Falling 03. Design The Century 04. Rise Of The 4th Reich 05. Stargate Atlantis 06. You'll Bleed Forever 07. The Paradise Lost 08. Neon Sirens 09. High Above Of Me 10. Angels Of The Apocalypse 11. Garden Of Eden

Author: Slaine / Translation: Sereisa

Metal Only e.V. Wolfgang Steiner Hohenstaufenstr. 56 D-73779 Deizisau [email protected] www.metal-only.de