The Metal Opera, Vol. 2

by Avantasia

Overview

Eagerly anticipated by power metal audiences who embraced Tobias Sammet's first Avantasia project, the aptly titled The Metal Opera, Pt. 2 essentially offers more of the same, in sound, style, and personnel. Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween) gets credit for his appearance this time out, following his mystery cameo as "Ernie" on the first record, and a number of the featured vocalists from Pt. 1 reprise their characters on the second installment; new faces include Bob Catley (Magnum) and Oliver Hartmann (At Vance). The music is not a great leap forward; it's simply more state-of-the-art power metal, with the same catchy riffs, larger than life melodies, and complex, orchestration-heavy arrangements. Some might find it a bit less thrashy than its predecessor, but overall the differences are negligible. Sammet's epic storytelling ambitions have left him with more than enough material to keep the narrative going, and the ending is open enough to allow for a sequel if he chose. At times, The Metal Opera, Pt. 2 seems as if Sammet had to rush to complete the record; its release had to be delayed, and a few parts feel a tad underwritten. But by and large, power metal fans who enjoyed the first installment -- and weren't expecting a drastic progression -- will find Pt. 2 a worthy sequel that's still head and shoulders above much of the European power metal pack. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	08/31/2018
Label:	Afm Records
UPC:	0884860200325
Rank:	66672

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Avantasia   Primary Artist
Ralf Zdiarstek   Primary Artist,Vocals
Bob Catley   Primary Artist,Vocals
Rob Rock   Primary Artist,Vocals
Kai Hansen   Primary Artist,Vocals
Oliver Hartmann   Primary Artist,Vocals
David Defeis   Primary Artist,Vocals
Michael Kiske   Primary Artist,Vocals
Andre Matos   Vocals
Markus Grosskopf   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Norman Meiritz   Guitar (Rhythm)
Jens Ludwig   Guitar
Tobias Sammet   Bass,Vocals,Keyboards
Eric Singer   Drums
Frank Tischer   Piano
Sharon den Adel   Vocals
Timo Tolkki   Guitar
Henjo Richter   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Alex Holzwarth   Drums

Technical Credits

Nils Wasko   Inlay Design,Booklet
Stefan Malzkorn   Photography
Ed Warrin   Engineer
J.P. Fournier   Cover Art
Mikko Karmila   Mixing
Norman Meiritz   Producer,Engineer
Tobias Sammet   Composer,Producer,Story Writer,Orchestration
Frank Tischer   Engineer
Sascha Paeth   Engineer
Gilby Clarke   Engineer
Mika Jussila   Mastering
Dirk Schlachter   Engineer