The phrase “here be dragons”, in the imaginative traditions of medieval cartography, denotes the perils of unexplored realms, warning of mysterious frontiers fraught with fantastical dangers. It’s an enchanting term of art, not incongruous with Avantasia’s...

Perhaps I’ve been scarred by Rob Zombie: I’ve come to expect that when the title of a band’s new album reaches 16 syllables, it suggests a diversion of creative resources from the music. I’ll always have more patience for Avantasia...

This album features Hansi Kürsch.

Over the last few albums, Avantasia have softened and smoothed out - matured, perhaps - and they arrive in Ghostlights a much different beast from the brash power project born the better part of two decades ago. Modern Avantasia sounds more "symphonic...