Album Review: Avantasia – A Paranormal Evening with The Moonflower Society (Nuclear Blast Records)

Avantasia, the project of Tobias Sammet, will release its ninth studio album, A Paranormal Evening with The Moonflower Society on October 21st via Nuclear Blast Records.

Expect lavish things from Avantasia, after all, it’s a rock opera. Yet, there might be some sneaking worries that, nine albums in, things might not sound as spectacular as they once did. After all, we know what Avantasia do. Can they really surprise us anymore?

A melodious start, Welcome to The Shadows begins to transform into something more gothic-laden before exploding into ‘stage show’ life. As grand and epic sounding as anything Avantasia have done before. They’re back and here to wow once again.

Fast and energised, The Wicked Rule the Night is an ode to heavy metal and sees the vocals hit highs not heard that often these days. A frenetic display with an infectious chorus. It’s the first stage of Avantasia showing that they still have some tricks up their sleeve. One of the album’s most exciting tracks.

It’s all about epic orchestration, wonderous melodies and punchy rock instrumentals with the sound of Kill the Pain Away. Before the horns get well and truly thrown with the riffing and rising chorus of The Inmost Light, and Nightwish’s Floor Jansen lends her incredible voice to the magnificent power-ballad that is Misplaced Among the Angels.

There’s a slight dip in quality with I Tame the Storm, a track that’s just a little bland, even if it’s got all the Avantasia majesty a person could hope for. However, the course is righted with the attractive melody of Paper Plane and the infectious pomp of the title track. The latter, the perfect example of what Avantasia is and what they are able to deliver in 2022.

Chances are, if you’re already a big fan of this band, you’re sold completely on this album. Even before Rhyme and Reason sees Avantasia lean into their power metal side and Scars delivers elaborate melody. Even before the finale of Arabesque, a ten-plus minute track, serves as a reminder of just how big Avantasia can go. It’s a very grand closer but that’s expected, after all it’s Avantasia. However, A Paranormal Evening with The Moonflower Society is not just a re-run of greatest hits. It’s forward movement, maybe not massive steps, but enough to make things feel fresh and interesting.

Avantasia – A Paranormal Evening with The Moonflower Society Full Track Listing:

1. Welcome to The Shadows
2. The Wicked Rule the Night
3. Kill the Pain Away
4. The Inmost Light
5. Misplaced Among the Angels
6. I Tame the Storm
7. Paper Plane
8. The Moonflower Society
9. Rhyme and Reason
10. Scars
11. Arabesque

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