review: Avaland -- prog power metal opera featuring guests from Primal Fear, Savatage, TSO, Rising Steel, Nightmare and more

Avaland

Theater of Sorcery

Rockshots Records

2 April 2021

Avaland is a prog power metal opera, written and composed by Adrien G. Gzagg, who apparently is a 22-year-old Frenchman, the lead singer and keyboardist. With him are Christophe Feutrier and Lucas Martinez on guitars, Camille Souffron on bass and double bass, and Léo Mouchonay on drums. This is the first album, and it features the following singers and guitarists: Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Zak Stevens (Savatage/TSO), Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Emmanuelson (Rising Steel), Stéphan Forté (Adagio), Madie (Nightmare) and more, according to the official information, which states that the album “presents the story of a young sorcerer who could bring the light back in the kingdom of Avaland, and he have to learn to control his powers, powers linked to the Storm.”

The music sometimes does go into uptempo moods, but the main style used is midpaced with the keyboard rhythms central to the song, in which the rhythm guitar, bass and drums going all in on the big, steady beats that are easy to remember. Of course, there is lots of melody, from the keyboards and guitars. Yet, if we have to state one reason to hear the album is the singing. It is a singing extravaganza in the style of the most successful acts in this field, like Avantasia by Tobias Sammet (from power/heavy band Edguy [Germany]). Fans that love good melodic, traditional metal singing should very pleased with the album. There are many things to enjoy, from the variety of voices to the songwriting, and it is a most entertaining listen. If there are any shortcomings, it is probably the weak sound of sampled drumming that sounds too plastic and soft; and the use cursing, which reduces the potential audience in the case of prog power fans that adults with kids.

https://www.facebook.com/avaland.metal.opera

AVALAND - Holy Kingdom Of Fools (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)