Avantasia – “The Scarecrow”

Years ago when I heard that Edguy vocalist, Tobias Sammet, was starting a new project under the name Avantasia I anticipated hearing this band and was curious regarding the meaning of their name. A few clicks on the internet and I discovered Avantasia means “a world beyond human imagination”. That perfectly describes the lyrical content of the 2008 album The Scarecrow.

“The story behind this concept album is about a lonesome creature who is emotionally isolated from his environment due to a distorted sensory perception. Having lost at love, he begins a journey for inner peace, plows his way to approval and eventually faces temptation at the inner depths of the human soul. By the end of the first chapter, The Scarecrow, disillusioned by love, sits down, desperate, alone and confused.” (Wikipedia) This is part one of The Scarecrow Saga.

To display this supreme story, Tobin Sammet has brought in some big names. Sascha Paeth does guitar, Eric Singer bangs the drums and Michael Rodenberg plays keyboard/conducts the orchestration. Tobin Sammet performs vocals and bass. Along with these instrumentalists, guest musicians have been invited such as Henjo Richter, Kai Hansen, Alice Cooper and Oliver Hartmann to name a few. With help from so many big names, do egos destroy The Scarecrow?

Definitely not, Everyone who works on this album does a phenomenal job. The sound is pretty much power metal with orchestra producing a great sound. Songs I really enjoyed were “Shelter From The Rain”, “Devil In The Belfry” and “Another Angel Down”. These are fast paced tunes that get your fist pumping and demand your attention. Like with all of Tobin Sammet’s music my repeat button gets a lot of use.

Avantasia is the type of opera I would love to witness live at a massive amphitheatre, especially with the roster this album holds. If anyone likes Edguy or any of the past Avantasia albums, they should definitely check this one out. I hope the next two parts of the saga are this intense.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Twisted Mind
02. The Scarecrow
03. Shelter From The Rain
04. Carry Me Over
05. What Kind Of Love
06. Another Angel Down
07. The Toy Master
08. Devil In The Belfry
09. Cry Just A Little
10. I Don’t Believe In Your Love
11. Lost In Space

Run Time: 1:03:09
Release Date: 02.05.2008