Here Be Dragons
Avantasia
Tobias Sammet has never needed much encouragement to make a song bigger. Here Be Dragons continues Avantasia's combination of power metal, theatrical rock and guest singers, with enough confidence to make the excess feel entirely intentional. There are quieter moments, but nobody seems especially interested in keeping things small.
Creepshow is a very immediate opening. The chorus is easy to catch, the guitars keep it moving, and the whole thing gives the album a bright burst of energy. It's one of the simpler songs here, which makes it a sensible way into the larger arrangements that follow.
The title track takes the opposite approach. Geoff Tate joins Sammet for a long, dramatic piece with plenty of movement. His voice gives the song a different kind of weight, and the arrangement has several strong melodic turns. It also asks for a fair amount of patience. The amount of information in the song can work against the immediacy of its best ideas.
Avalon makes particularly good use of Adrienne Cowan. Her contribution fits the scale of the music, and the symphonic details give the song a clear atmosphere. The Moorlands at Twilight, with Michael Kiske, brings more of the fast metal side forward.
Unleash the Kraken is another highlight. Sammet handles the vocals himself, and the speed gives the song a directness that suits it well. Against the Wind adds Kenny Leckremo and another strong burst of melodic energy. These songs show how effective Avantasia can be when the hook and the momentum arrive together.
The more sentimental material will depend on your tolerance for grand gestures. Bring on the Night leans fully into its melodic hard rock character, while Everybody's Here Until the End finishes on a large emotional statement that some listeners will find a little too sweet.
Still, the performances are excellent and the strongest songs have real appeal. Here Be Dragons gives Avantasia fans the voices, melodies and drama they came for. It works best when the size of the arrangement supports a clear, memorable song.
