- May 13, 2007
- 2,789
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Now that I've given enough time for these albums to really sink in and allow me to give some genuine criticism, I guess I'll share my full opinions on these.
I know I shouldn't try to expect The Metal Operas Pt. 3 and 4 from these albums, but it's just kind of hard to accept such a drastic stylistic change from those two to the Scarecrow. Even though Tobi's musical style took a big turn with Edguy, you'd think he'd at least keep Avantasia the same. I loved these albums when they first came out, but I think a lot of that was due to the long wait and so much hype from Tobi. So I'll try to think of these as their own separate entities, because, well, they are. They're not the Metal Operas, they're something completely different.
That said... The Wicked Symphony has some incredible moments and is easily the stronger of the two albums, to me. There are so many amazing songs on this album, I'd say just about all of them are winners, the only mediocre tracks being Black Wings and The Edge (and maaaybe Crestfallen, but I have to admit I find it pretty enjoyable). Even the poppiness of Dying For An Angel I like. I'm still impressed with how amazing The Wicked Symphony, Wastelands, and Scales of Justice are, with the exception of that little groovy breakdown in Scales of Justice. They're just stunning. No, it's not The Seven Angels, but hey, they're still great.
Angel of Babylon, however, fails. Stargazers and the title track are really the only outstanding songs to me. Death Is Just A Feeling and Your Love Is Evil are okay. Most of the others are disgustingly mediocre and forgettable. I also don't understand the point of replacing Kiske's vocals with Jorn's in the rehashed Promised Land. It's not bad, per se, but I prefer good ol' Ernie singing those lines instead. Jorn has such a massive part in these albums that it gets kind of tiresome by the end of Angel of Babylon. It's just full of sappy/poppy ballads/average songs that I just can't help being appalled by - Alone I Remember doesn't sound at all like Avantasia, much more like something Jorn would release himself. Yuck.
I'd have to agree with a lot of other people that it may have just been better to release one solid album with a mixture of tracks from both albums. In the end, all I see is a bunch of average songs more in line with modern Edguy than I do Avantasia mixed with a few truly blistering power metal songs. I'm just baffled by how Tobias can still write such incredible power metal songs, yet turn the other cheek half the time and release generic pop material.
Oh, well. I suppose it's time to wait for the new Edguy album to be announced. Gulp...
I know I shouldn't try to expect The Metal Operas Pt. 3 and 4 from these albums, but it's just kind of hard to accept such a drastic stylistic change from those two to the Scarecrow. Even though Tobi's musical style took a big turn with Edguy, you'd think he'd at least keep Avantasia the same. I loved these albums when they first came out, but I think a lot of that was due to the long wait and so much hype from Tobi. So I'll try to think of these as their own separate entities, because, well, they are. They're not the Metal Operas, they're something completely different.
That said... The Wicked Symphony has some incredible moments and is easily the stronger of the two albums, to me. There are so many amazing songs on this album, I'd say just about all of them are winners, the only mediocre tracks being Black Wings and The Edge (and maaaybe Crestfallen, but I have to admit I find it pretty enjoyable). Even the poppiness of Dying For An Angel I like. I'm still impressed with how amazing The Wicked Symphony, Wastelands, and Scales of Justice are, with the exception of that little groovy breakdown in Scales of Justice. They're just stunning. No, it's not The Seven Angels, but hey, they're still great.
Angel of Babylon, however, fails. Stargazers and the title track are really the only outstanding songs to me. Death Is Just A Feeling and Your Love Is Evil are okay. Most of the others are disgustingly mediocre and forgettable. I also don't understand the point of replacing Kiske's vocals with Jorn's in the rehashed Promised Land. It's not bad, per se, but I prefer good ol' Ernie singing those lines instead. Jorn has such a massive part in these albums that it gets kind of tiresome by the end of Angel of Babylon. It's just full of sappy/poppy ballads/average songs that I just can't help being appalled by - Alone I Remember doesn't sound at all like Avantasia, much more like something Jorn would release himself. Yuck.
I'd have to agree with a lot of other people that it may have just been better to release one solid album with a mixture of tracks from both albums. In the end, all I see is a bunch of average songs more in line with modern Edguy than I do Avantasia mixed with a few truly blistering power metal songs. I'm just baffled by how Tobias can still write such incredible power metal songs, yet turn the other cheek half the time and release generic pop material.
Oh, well. I suppose it's time to wait for the new Edguy album to be announced. Gulp...
I'm listening to Wicked Symphony now, groovy little breakdown in Scales of Justice irked me in the same way but it's forgiveable. In fact a lot of AoB is after repeated listens. The funky Jason Becker-esque start to Alone I Remember might put some off but it gives way to a decent song if a little...pop-y in places.
