This album shines bright

Three years since their last release, Avantasia is making 2019 better with their eighth studio album Moonglow. From the first second, listeners are taken on a hauntingly beautiful journey that only a metal opera group could deliver. It’s been 20 years since this side project was started by Tobias Sammet, and it’s no surprise that they created a breathtaking mixture of classical instruments with guitars and drums. One instance it’s the slow and rhythmic melody of a piano, but the next it neatly transitions into the building beats from a guitar with distinct rock roots.

Like their previous albums, the cover art makes it appear as if the album is the soundtrack to an animated movie. And, with the fantastical feel to the whole album, it certainly fits the enchanting element that tends to be associated with animated movies.

Another element that transcends across albums is the number of guest vocalists that make an appearance. For Moonglow, there are almost ten guest vocalists and every one of them makes the album that much better. Honestly, each song produces its own type of chill through listeners’ bodies. From a tingling, slow spread of goosebumps up the arms from “Ghost In The Moon,” to a spine-shaking thrill that the vocals of “Invincible” entice. By the last track, people’s whole body will be lit with excitement and the need to listen through the whole album again.  

Even with two longer songs, people won’t lose their interest. Sometimes songs that exceed six minutes or so can drag, but that’s not the case in Moonglow at all. Seeing 11 minutes for one track may be a turn-off, but the two longer pieces, “Ghost In The Moon” and “The Raven Child,” are some of the most engaging songs of the album. Not once in the duration of these songs will people become disengaged.

Overall, it’s hard to not say something about every single track since there are so many cohesive elements that work so well together. As nuclearblast notes, Tobias Sammet said, “I believe it’s the most adorned and detailed album we’ve ever produced. Not over ambitious, but there is a lot of love for detail in there.” All in all, that “love for detail” is clearly displayed in every song.