Timo Tolkki's Avalon - The Land Of New Hope

I have to say that i got in touch of what happened with Stratovarius and Tolkki a few months ago, i mean, the true story. Also find out Tolkki retirement. It made me sad to find out that tragic story and its ending. Then i thought and realized Tolkkis life would be better without all that stress, and that would make him able to face his health problem in a better form. Now i find out this article and it makes me happy to know he is coming back

Way too boring

Seems like Tolkki is no longer able to write good power metal songs, ala "Paradise". The mid-tempos are good ("Shine", "Enshrined In My Memory"), but the fast songs are simply terrible.

It's a good step forward for Timo - better song structure and quality. It's just still a bit too predictable Tolkki format... I think some elements are still a bit too reminiscent of Strato and Kotipelto. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the album and it's definitely an improvement over RR and Symfonia, not a massive improvement, but a step in the right direction none the less. I think Tolkki just needs to spend a bit more time (eg. a couple of years as opposed to 1) to reinvent himself a bit more and kinda do what Strato have done with Nemesis, just make it that extra bit less predictable.

It's a good Avantasia album.

The album was good, not as great as I expected due to the singers on the album, still a good album. Hope to hear more of Tolkki's Avalon, maybe next time he might get an album as good as one of the Avantasia's we have, doubt it, yet here is to hope

Written by [user id=136693] on 28.05.2013 at 23:03

The album was good, not as great as I expected due to the singers on the album, still a good album. Hope to hear more of Tolkki's Avalon, maybe next time he might get an album as good as one of the Avantasia's we have, doubt it, yet here is to hope

There are particularly two aspects about this album that I really enjoy, the production and the vocals. Tolkki (or someone else?) did an awesome job of bringing out the best in Elize, Kiske and especially Rob Rock (though for some reason I'm having a slight issue with how the singers are placed throughout the album. ). The production has that crystal-clear, yet punchy quality to it. It definetely sounds big, glossy and fitting to the songs.

But I fully agree, this album does not quite reach up to the brilliance of, shall we say, The Mystery Of Time. At least not in terms of lyrics and compositions. However, I feel the same as you - this is quality stuff. I'm very satisfied with both thus far. Let's see how Ayreon "measures up" when that one is due.

Written by Patrick. on 29.05.2013 at 13:19

Written by [user id=136693] on 28.05.2013 at 23:03

The album was good, not as great as I expected due to the singers on the album, still a good album. Hope to hear more of Tolkki's Avalon, maybe next time he might get an album as good as one of the Avantasia's we have, doubt it, yet here is to hope

There are particularly two aspects about this album that I really enjoy, the production and the vocals. Tolkki (or someone else?) did an awesome job of bringing out the best in Elize, Kiske and especially Rob Rock (though for some reason I'm having a slight issue with how the singers are placed throughout the album. ). The production has that crystal-clear, yet punchy quality to it. It definetely sounds big, glossy and fitting to the songs.

But I fully agree, this album does not quite reach up to the brilliance of, shall we say, The Mystery Of Time. At least not in terms of lyrics and compositions. However, I feel the same as you - this is quality stuff. I'm very satisfied with both thus far. Let's see how Ayreon "measures up" when that one is due.

Oh that one!! Ayreon is definitely something I need to listen more to

'A World Without Us' is by far the best track on the album. The first 3 songs are the best tracks.

I knew that timmo had one album too beside this one

Elize Ryd ? Must. Hear.

Is it just me or are the vocals mixed really high on this one?

Worst power metal i have heard in a long, long time

Written by Ellrohir on 05.07.2013 at 20:57

Worst power metal i have heard in a long, long time

Better look for the ORIGINAL Metal Opera Avantasia's new stuff was way better.

This one is IMHO as bland and cheesy as New Era from RR (except we haven't here a song like Glorious and Divine, the MOST RIDICULOUS AND CHEESY LYRICS I EVER HEARD IN THIS GENRE!!!!!)

Written by mikeprado30 on 20.08.2013 at 05:13

Better look for the ORIGINAL Metal Opera Avantasia's new stuff was way better.

orly?...well, that explains a thing or two i guess...

I really enjoyed this album [did not listen much of Timo's standalone work before].

While it brings nothing new to the table this album is definately good and worth listening to. Elize Ryd's performance on this album is stellar!

Not a bad album actually.Most power metal fans would enjoy it.