Avantasia/Tokyo,Japan 2019

The greatest melodic power metal in history and the world’s strongest metal opera project, TOBIAS SAMMET’S AVANTASIA. This is the superb live album that recorded their first performance in Japan in three years. Of course, what is engraved in this work is the “May 9, 2019 Mynavi BLITZ Akasaka” performance. It is a super-excellent audience recording that completely recorded a full show that lasted more than three hours. AVANTASIA, which is praised for its luxurious lineup and magnificent show every time they come to Japan, was amazing this time too. The venue was filled to the brim, and the amazing performance, which can be said to be the best ever, exploded. Currently, a storm of rave reviews is blowing all over the Internet and on SNS, but this work is a super masterpiece 3-disc set that allows you to fully experience the scene with a superb level of super sound. In fact, the quality of this work is abnormal. It was recorded by the master of masters, “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper”, who is said to be the best when it comes to recording HR/HM. If you have noticed this work, no further explanation may be necessary. Audience recordings have a wide variety of personalities, but Mr. “Strongest”‘s personality is that of a “sound board”. The ultra-tight closeness with zero distance, the extremely thick core and the ultra-delicate details, the beautiful balance from ultra-high to low tones, the stability that does not blur even a single particle through the full show, and the mysteriously close voiceless immersion… Despite the roaring sound and the difficulty of recording HR/HM, he has repeatedly produced recordings that can only be thought of as sound boards in every respect. Moreover, this work is an exceptional piece in Mr. “Strongest”‘s collection. All of the above personalities are at the apex level, and it is no exaggeration to say that this is Mr. “Strongest”‘s strongest work. No matter how much modern digital recording has evolved, it is rare to come across a recording like this. It is a transcendent sound that is the highest peak of concert records in a dimension that goes beyond the classification of “line or microphone”. The show drawn with such quality is also the strongest. As always, a number of great metal heroes participate, and this time it is no exception. Starting with the main performer Tobias, there are regulars such as Ronnie Atkins (PRETTY MAIDS), Jorn Lunde (formerly of MASTERPLAN), and Eric Martin (MR.BIG), as well as Geoff Tate (formerly of QUEENSRYCHE), Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Herbie Langhans (SINBREED), Adrian Cowan (SEVEN SPIRES), and Oliver Hartman (AT VANCE), and this incredible line-up sings their hearts out! What’s even more amazing is that everyone is in top form this time. As it is a large-scale project, it is often the case that someone is not feeling well, or that even if they look healthy, their voices are not as strong, but this time everyone is singing so well that it seems like they are at the peak of their careers. In fact, there are rumors that Tobias and Jorn were coming down with a cold, but you can’t hear it at all in their singing (the MC is a bit nasal?). The highlight of this tour is Geoff Tate! This is his first visit to Japan since 2009, but his voice is as strong, powerful, and thick as it was in the 80s. Even though he looks different and there were various family circumstances with QUEENSRYCHE, this voice is still superhuman. Even in a metal opera where heroes gather together, it is in a class of its own. I was disappointed that Michael Kiske did not participate this time, but when I actually listened to it, I was surprised and asked “So what?” because of his superb vocalization. And then there’s the great Bob Catley. He has yet to come to Japan with his main band MAGNUM, but his voice is as amazing as rumored. The great is 71 years old, but he doesn’t sound like a 70-year-old. It’s a level that even Ronnie James Dio, who died at the age of 67, could not reach. On the other hand, the only female member, Adrian Cowan, shone as a star of the new generation. He also sang Michael Kiske’s super high tone parts with confidence, and the hoarse voice parts sung by Mile Petrozza (KREATOR) on the album were growled, making him even more evil than Mile. On the other hand, he also sang the songs sung by Candice Night with a voice as clear as Candice’s, and even showed off his wild technique of gradating his voice from beautiful to growling all by himself. Not only is his voice wide, but his expressions are also wonderful, and he gives us a lot of singing that may become the next generation metal queen. AVANTASIA is amazing because the songs sung by such heroes are also wonderful. Roughly speaking, the show has three colors, and the first half is the new work “MOONGLOW” section. With songs such as “Lucifer” and “Reach Out for the Light” in between, 9 out of the 12 songs on the album are a big hit. He even shows off “Maniac”, which was treated as a bonus track. And the middle part is “THE WICKED TRILOGY” section. The world changes to a trilogy, drawing a gradation while also including new songs from “MOONGLOW”. Then, from the end to the encore, the masterpieces of “THE METAL OPERA” and “GHOSTLIGHTS” explode! Here too, “Shelter from the Rain” and “Lost in Space” are included, so it’s not strictly true, but you can feel the big flow. And the last song is “Sign of the Cross/The Seven Angels”, a hero gathering! Although it’s a regular thing, the huge medley in which all the vocalists participate and sing together is overwhelming. I forgot to mention that this work also has a great audience enthusiasm. Even though there is no close voice, you can clearly see that the roar that rises every time a hero appears is shaking the venue. It is ultra-realistic, yet it depicts a rare spectacle that is as well-organized as an official work. And the highlight of the gathering of everyone is the extreme. It closes with a grand finale like the Endgame of Metal Avengers. AVANTASIA, the pinnacle of metal opera. This is a three-disc set that allows you to fully experience their latest Japan tour, said to be the best ever, with the highest quality sound available today. This is a transcendental work that can only be described as “the best” and “the strongest”. It is an absolute must-listen for any metal fan living in 2019. Live at Mynavi BLITZ Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan 9th May 2019 ULTIMATE SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (67:55) 1. Intro 2. Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (Ode to Joy) 3. Ghost in the Moon 4. Starlight (with Ronnie Atkins) 5. Book of Shallows (with Ronnie Atkins & Adrienne Cowan) 6. The Raven Child (with Jorn Lande) 7. Lucifer (with Jorn Lande) 8. Alchemy (with Geoff Tate) 9. Invincible (with Geoff Tate) 10. Reach Out for the Light (with Oliver Hartmann) 11. Moonglow (with Adrienne Cowan) Disc 2 (51:38) 1. Maniac (with Eric Martin) 2. Dying for an Angel (with Eric Martin) 3. Lavender (with Bob Catley) 4. The Story Ain’t Over (with Bob Catley) 5. The Scarecrow (with Jorn Lande) 6. Promised Land (with Jorn Lande & Eric Martin) 7. 7. Twisted Mind (with Geoff Tate & Eric Martin) Disc 3 (69:07) 1. Avantasia (with Geoff Tate) 2. Let the Storm Descend Upon You (with Jorn Lande & Ronnie Atkins) 3. Master of the Pendulum (with Ronnie Atkins) 4. Shelter from the Rainr (with Bob Catley, Oliver Hartmann ,Herbie Langhans & Adrienne Cowan) 5. Mystery of a Blood Red Roser (with Bob Catley) 6. Lost in Space 7. Farewell (with Adrienne Cowan) 8. Sign of the Cross / The Seven Angels (with All Members) Tobias Sammet – Lead vocals Bob Catley – Lead vocals Eric Martin – Lead vocals Geoff Tate – Lead vocals Jorn Lande – Lead vocals Ronnie Atkins – Lead vocals Herbie Langhans – Backing vocals / Lead vocals Adrienne Cowan – Backing vocals / Lead vocals Sascha Paeth – Guitars Oliver Hartmann – Guitars Miro Rodenberg – Keyboards Andre Neygenfind – Bass Felix Bohnke – Drums