The German band Avantasia released today the long-awaited album “Here Be Dragons”.
Producer, lyricist, studio producer, and recording engineer is Tobias Sammet. Producer, studio producer, mixer, and recording engineer is the guitarist Sascha Paeth. As Tobias Sammet wrote on the official Avantasia page on the socal media, there is no weak song in this album. As the press said, “Here Be Dragons” can be the album of the year”.

“Creepshow” is the first song that introduces the listener to the magical fantasy picture with its vivid rhythm and happy sound. Zombies an Witches are waving from the video.

The title song, “Here Be Dragons”, is the second one, the longest in the album, and with the vocals of Tobias Sammet and Geoff Tate. It is a fascinating song in a mid-tempo. There are different guitar solos and two choruses, a mixed Avantasia-Queensryche-Dio sound, and magical mood and lyrics.

“The Moorlands at Twilight” is with the magical guest vocalist Michael Kiske. “Crack in the now” is the description of the song – a fast and glorious wild speed metal song with killer vocals and virtuosic guitar solos by Sascha Paeth and Arne Wiegand.

“The Witch” is with guest vocalist Tommy Karevik from Kamelot. His trembling voice and the whispering choruses enchant the listener with the story.

“Phantasmagoria” is with Ronnie Atkins from Pretty Maids. It is a speed song with a pressure change of the vocals and other mystic lyrics.

“Bring On The Night” is a reverance to the music of Magnum and the late Tony Clarkin. The guest vocalist is Bob Catley, a friend and a partner of Tobias Sammet for 25 years.

“Unleash The Kraken” is another wild tempo song with technical guitar riffs.

“Avalon” is a duet with Adrienne Cowan about the legends of Avalon. The song has a symphonic sound.

“Against The Wind” is a speed metal song with guest vocalist Kenny Leckremo of H.E.A.T..

“Everybody’s Here Until The End” is the final of the album. It is an epic ballad song with guest vocalist Roy Khan (ex-Kamelot).

The album has a long bonus track: “Return To The Opera” is a somewhat autobiographical song about how Tobias Sammet writting songs in the nights. There are also a piano version of “Against The Wind”, an uncut version of “Creepshow”, and one demo version of “Bring On The Night” from the 80s, that sounds even more captivating. There are live versions of “Reach Out For The Light”, “Promised Land”, “Lost In Space”, and “Farewell” from 2024, which closes the epic 10th Avantasia album.

In March 2025 the band goes on tour:

14.03.25 DE – Hamburg / Sporthalle
15.03.25 BE – Brussels / AB Box
16.03.25 FR – Paris / Olympia
18.03.25 LU – Esch-sur-Alzette / Rockhal
20.03.25 DE – Berlin / Columbiahalle
21.03.25 DE – Bamberg / Brose Arena
22.03.25 DE – Bochum / RuhrCongress
24.03.25 UK – London / The Roundhouse
26.03.25 NL – Tilburg / O13
28.03.25 DE – Stuttgart / Schleyerhalle
29.03.25 CZ – Prague / Forum Karlin
01.04.25 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra
02.04.25 AT – Vienna / Gasometer
04.04.25 DE – Munich / Zenith
05.04.25 DE – Frankfurt am Main / Jahrhunderthalle
06.04.25 DE – Cologne / Palladium
08.04.25 IT – Milan / Alcatraz
09.04.25 CH – Zurich / The Hall
11.04.25 ES – Barcelona / Razzmatazz
12.04.25 ES – Madrid / Vistalegre
23.04.25 FI – Helsinki / Black Box
25.04.25 NO – Oslo / Sentrum Scene
26.04.25 SE – Stockholm / Arenan Fryshuset