by Justin Gaines
– Senior Columnist/News Editor —
Former Stratovarius mastermind Timo Tolkki, yes the one who swore he was retiring from the music scene, is back with the second volume in his Avalon symphonic metal opera series. The new album is titled Angels of the Apocalypse and finds Tolkki reunited with former Stratovarius bandmates Tuomo Lassila and Antti Ikonen. As with the first Timo Tolkki’s Avalon album (2013’s The Land of New Hope), Angels of the Apocalypse features an impressive array of guest vocalists. This time around that list includes Caterina Nix (Aghonya), Dave DeFeis (Virgin Steele), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe), Zak Stevens (Circle II Circle), Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire), Simone Simons (Epica) and Floor Jansen (Nightwish).
So we have a good chunk of the early Stratovarius lineup and a stunning array of vocalists. This has to be an amazing album, right? Sadly, the answer is no. Tolkki, much like he did with Revolution Renaissance, Symfonia and his last couple of Stratovarius albums, phones this one in. His guitar work is solid, but pretty far removed from the lightning fast noodling he is known for, and his songwriting is uninspired. Angels of the Apocalypse is a concept album, but the story never really seems to matter. The lyrics are cliched and the overall song structures – while perfectly entertaining – are not anything that stays with you when the album is over.
In terms of the vocal performances, there’s a lot to love here, especially if you’re into the Nightwish/Epica/After Forever style of metal. Any time you get Floor Jansen, Simone Simons and Elize Ryd on the same album, you have to take notice. And Fabio Lione and Zak Stevens do a fantastic job as well. The only disappointment on the vocal front is Dave DeFies. Maybe it’s just that he was given an awful song to work with, but he sounds so far removed from his work in Virgin Steele that you almost don’t believe it’s the same guy.
It’s a far cry from what it could have been given the players involved, but if you don’t mind the “symphonic metal by numbers” approach and some lyrically clunky songs, the vocal performances alone make Angels of the Apocalypse at least worth a spin. Unless you’re a huge fan of all things Tolkki though, that one spin is probably all you’ll need.
Genre: Power Metal, Symphonic Metal
Band:
Timo Tolkki (g) (b) (k)
Antti Ikonen (k)
Tuomo Lassila (d)
Caterina Nix (v)
David DeFeis (v)
Elize Ryd (v)
Zak Stevens (v)
Fabio Lione (v)
Simone Simons (v)
Floor Jansen (v)
Track Listing:
1. Song For Eden
2. Jerusalem Is Falling
3. Design the Century
4. Rise of the 4th Reich
5. Stargate Atlantis
6. The Paradise Lost
7. You’ll Bleed Forever
8. Neon Sirens
9. High Above Of Me
10. Angels of the Apocalypse
11. Garden of Eden
Label: Frontiers Records
Website: www.avalonopera.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 6/10
