So it should not come as a surprise that "Moonglow" is pretty close to its predecessors in terms of sound, using that copyrighted style of epic symphonic power metal that Tobias has developed close to perfection. The guest list is also pretty familiar, with returning vocalists such as Jørn Lande (Jorn), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Bob Catley (Magnum), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween, Unisonic, Place Vendome), and Geoff Tate (ex-Queensrÿche). We do get a couple of surprises though, but I will get to them later, just rest assured Avantasia fans that Tobias is not going too far from his normal formula.
It all starts with "Ghost In The Moon", a close to 10 minute track that is just typical Avantasia cheese to the core, and it is pure cheese, with no guest artists adding any additional spices to it. It goes on for a bit too long, but it is a fine opening. The album does really take off in the next track "Book of Shallows, in which Jørn, Ronnie, and Hansi Kürsch from Blind Guardian (who makes his first Avantasia appearance, which feels odd) step in together with Tobias to create a nice and meaty masterclass sandwich. It all goes well, then suddenly, around the half way point, the guitars get heavier, the tempo shifts, and in comes Mille Petrozza and turns this track into a brilliant Avantasia/Kreator fusion that should not work, but oh man it does! Talk about making an impact.
After a calm and beautiful title track (featuring Candice Night from Blackmore's Night), we get another mastodon in "The Raven Child", an 11 minute monster that starts off with some nice Blind Guardian acoustics, and then it just picks up the intensity as it goes along, leading to some incredibly epic moments. This might be one of my favourite 10+ minute songs from Avantasia, just for how it keeps the listener on its toes throughout the run time, and then also rewards said listener to a truly epic finish, where Jørn gets to do what he is best at, shriek like Ronnie James Dio, and rock out. Add Tobias who goes back and forth with Jørn for more than a solid minute, and we get some great, headbanging epicness to close out one of the highlights of the record.
And it is easy to think that the album does not get much better from here, and it does not, but it still has a few aces still in its sleeve. "Starlight" is another classic Avantasia tune that we have heard before, but is still just as great, and in "Requiem For A Dream" we get Kiske in good old Helloween form, passing by in blazing fast speeds. Then we have the two Geoff Tate only tracks "Invincible" and "Alchemy" that are pretty different from each other, but they are equally awesome, showing some of the most emotional work we have heard from Tate in years. Who knew it took a German power metal singer to bring back that Tate to our lives.
While there are a good bunch of quality in this record, it does still have some questionable decisions. Like was it really a good idea to cram in Tobias, Ronnie, Jørn, Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Bob, and Tate into "The Piper At The Gates of Dawn"? No, it was not, it is way too many chefs for this soup. Also, was it really necessary to add in a cover of the classic "Flashdance" song "Maniac"? The cover is perfectly fine, adding some cool guitar work to an already groovy song, but it does not add anything to the record. Besides, I think Firewind did a stronger and more personal effort on their cover, so go check out that one instead.
Despite that, there is still no question that Tobias Sammet is still the co-king of multi vocalists projects (together with Arjen Lucassen of course), delivering another excellent Avantasia record to the people. It might not push the boundaries on what the band can be, but it does deliver on what it wants to do, displaying some epic theatrical music with some of the best vocalists around. "Moonglow" is certainly shining bright, both at night and at day.
Songs worthy of recognition: The Raven Child, Book of Shallows, Invincible, Alchemy
Rating: 8/10 Ghosts In The Moon
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More reviews of Avantasia
The Mystery of Time
Ghostlights
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