Power of Metal.dk Review

Timo Tolkki's Avalon
Angels of the Apocalypse
Rating
Style: Melodic Metal
Release date: 16 May, 2014
Playing time: 52:03
 


There's no doubt in my mind that Timo Tolkki is one of the best and most influential song writers in power metal of all time, and the accolades he received in Stratovarius were all well-deserved. Then disaster struck and he had to face his demons, once out of the darkness came a changed man, but I still feel he has lost his musical direction and is struggling to get back on track.

All the foundations for a great melodic metal album are surely in place again, just like on the first Timo Tolkki's Avalon album "The Land of New Hope" in 2013, this album features a plethora of established guests: Tuomo Lassila, Antti Ikonen, Floor Jansen, Simone Simons, Fabio Lione, David DeFeis, Zachary Stevens, Elize Ryd and Caterina Nix. And the vocalists delivers on their own terms, some better than other, but it is probably a matter of taste, who you personally like the most.

Where I am finding it hard to be excited is in the song writing department, because the deliverance is top-notch and Timo is still an extremely gifted guitarist. But I do think there's too many dull moments on the album. "Angels of the Apocalypse" never really ignites; sure there's sugar and candy for melodic metal fans on the album, but as a whole it's simply not moving me.

Every project he has undertaken since leaving Statovarius; Saana, Revolution Renaissance, Symphonia and this has left me wishing for him to get back on the right track again, but much to my disbelief he is still a bit off as a song-writer, in my humble opinion off course. A shame really because we all know what he is capable of, he just hasn't delivered in some time. But do give this one a listen...


Tracklist
01. Song for Eden (0:46)
02. Jerusalem is Falling (5:19)
03. Design the Century (4:25)
04. Rise of the 4th Reich (4:43)
05. Stargate Atlantis (3:51)
06. The Paradise Lost (4:16)
07. You'll Bleed Forever (5:44)
08. Neon Sirens (4:42)
09. High Above Me (5:20)
10. Angels of the Apocalypse (9:07)
11. Garden of Eden (2:10)
Label: Frontiers Records
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Artwork rating: 90/100
Reviewed by: Kenn Jensen
Date: 16 May, 2014
Website: www.avalonopera.com