Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Metal | Heft: Jahrgang 2013, eclipsed Nr. 152 / 7-8-2013 | VÖ-Jahr: 2013 | Wertung: 6/10 | Label: Frontiers | Autor: ML
Former Stratovarius boss Timo Tolkki has also embarked on a symphonic rock to metal opera journey in the spirit of Tobi Sammet's Avantasia. The first work of his new project is called "The Land Of New Hope". In the science fiction story, he takes us back to 2055, when our earth was virtually destroyed by earthquakes, tsunamis and fire. Tolkki himself took over the bass and guitar and had his overflowing compositions interpreted by prominent and great musicians such as keyboarder Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion), drummer Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody Of Fire) and singers Michael Kiske (Unisonic, Helloween), Russel Allen (Symphony X) and Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation), to name a few. Some things seem to be badly conceived and too much "over the top". Other pieces seem as if the red thread has been pulled through too much sound tinkering. The ballads "In The Name Of The Rose" and "I'll Sing You Home", reminiscent of Stratovarius, on the other hand, seem like anchor points in this ambitious work.
Top track: In The Name Of The Rose