AVANTASIA – “Here be dragons” (2025)

Skipping all intros because AVANTASIA do not need one, “Here be dragons” marks the milestone of ten Full Length albums for the band. It carries many of the group’s known characteristics but in a way I feel it also heralds a new era for them. Being the first under a record company transition to Napalm Records is somewhat irrelevant for the music, so let’s take it out of the way from the start. Another musically irrelevant topic is the cover, however this is important to some people with my opinion being that it is one of the best I have seen in a long time. OK, enough deviations, time for the music!

My first ever experience with the album was with the release of the single and opener ‘Creepshow’ which came with an extreme dissapointment, as I did not like it in the slightest. If we stand there we will get all the wrong impressions though because it does a poor job of introducing us to “Here be dragons”, after that is where the true fun begins. The remaining nine songs are filled with prestigious guests, good tunes, positives vibes and great musicality. What I noticed early on is that this record is like a revolution in the sense of freedom. Every chorus sounds like it is filled with hope, they are carefree, they celebrate freedom and life. The same bright atmosphere accompanies the album and after reading to some of Tobias’ interviews, he actually said that he indeed felt more free during composing as he left some dark times behind him. That’s why covers play an important role, for “Paranormal…” and “Moonglow” you were prepared for an adventure a la Tim Burton, but with “Here be dragons” you are preparing to enter the world of a happy fairytale.

There is no concept or story this time around and from here starts some stuff that everyone will interpret differently. First off, all songs are the work of Tobias not only in writting but in execution as well. Vocally he is the main protagonist with the guest singers being given space, but not to the point that they will smother his time in the spotlight. The upside a very tight result with a good flow. On the other side of the coin I would like to hear some more of some guests. Examples are Adrienne Cowan in ‘Avalon’ and Roy Khan in ‘Everybody’s here until the end’. Regardless, everyone did a great job but did we expect anything less from names such as Ronnie Atkins, Tommy Karevik, Geoff Tate to name a few?

Then we have the feeling of the whole album. Everything sounds very clean which can be seen either as a let down for people expecting something heavy or as liberating if you breathe in the positive vibes. There are fast moments like in ‘Unleash the kraken’ where everything is turned up to eleven, but overall the production focuses more on bringing forth the vocals and the melodic side of things. With time I grew fond of it and I want to stay a little on the “With time” part. During my first two or three listens I found “Here be dragons” lacking and was totally disconnected with it. I pushed through in order to form a proper opinion and the next three revisits brought many stuff that I liked to the surface. After doubling that number I just cannot put the album down. It was not only a grower but had I left it after the first runthrough, my opinion would be totally unformed and would miss on something really worth it.

Where do all the above lead? It is not a firework album that will grab you immediatelly and you will get bored of in a week. No heavy guitar breakdowns, no easy listening ultra catchy songs but IT IS filled with substance. OK, ‘Creepshow’ falls into the catchy category but it failed soundly according to my ears so I leave it out. “Here be dragons” comes with a statement that AVANTASIA are still relevant today, as long as you do not patiently wait for a triumphant return to the sound of “Metal opera”, because that ship has sailed a long time ago. I find it short of standalone hit songs with perhaps the exception of ‘The witch’ and I wouldn’t easily isolate a track to put in a playlist. But as a whole musical product? It is totally complete and its strength lies in numbers, as its quality never wanes, like book where you don’t want to skip any chapter. It gets better with every listen and I have come to appreciate it for what it is and brings to the table. I am not overflowing with excitement but surely am overwhelmed with pleasant energy as it opens a gateway out of reality. Totally worth the time it took me to like it!

80/100

Pavlos Pavlakis

100: Godsent

90s: Excellent

80s: Very good

70s: Good

60s: Enjoyable

50s: Uninspired

40s: Bad

0s -30s: Unlistenable