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BravePicks 2024 – EVERGREY’s Theories Of Emptiness #11

BravePicks 2024 - EVERGREY's Theories Of Emptiness #11

In 1994, BraveWords & Bloody Knuckles magazine was born and here we stand 30 years later celebrating the past 12 months of music on our anniversary! What an incredible ride it has been and it’s far from over! And during the past three decades, we’ve literally seen/heard thousands of releases and this is the time of the season when we crown the finest! The BraveWords scribes have spoken, so join us each day this month as we count down to the BravePick of 2024!

Remember, everybody has an opinion and it’s time for ours! Stay tuned at the end of December for BraveWords’ writers’ individual Top 20s (new studio albums ONLY), Top 5 Brave Embarrassments (a fan favorite!), What/Who Needs To Stop In 2024? and Metal Predictions For 2025. 

BravePicks 2024

11) EVERGREY – Theories Of Emptiness (Napalm)

 

Anything but empty. Progressive mainstays Evergrey proved once again why they are the masters of their genre with Theories Of Emptiness. The album shows a refreshed band with dynamic songwriting, exhilarating songs, and thoughtful lyrics while exploring moods from up-beat to their notorious downtrodden wonderment.

Theories Of Emptiness is a fantastic record that captures the imagination and the musical diversity results to their one of their stronger releases. Evergrey clouds the skies at #11.

“For us, progression is paramount”, states Tom S. Englund when discussing the eleven track opus, Theories Of Emptiness. “We’re dedicated to ensuring that our music remains innovative and avoids stagnation. With each album, we strive to introduce something new — a unique flavor, a different key or chord, fresh voices in our writing, or innovative production techniques.”

Tom Englund continues: “Our new album is soon to be yours! We can’t wait for that to happen, there are so many new and refreshing elements on it as well as respect paid to every part of our past. We have just refined what we always have done and tried to make it as contemporary as we possibly could to please ourselves and our sonic expectations. With the presence of Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood, we felt fired up, hungry and eager to do our utmost to ensure that we would write the best songs we possibly could – I really feel we have achieved that. Sound quality wise we feel that it is on par with the best the world has to offer today. It is a brave statement that I will stand behind for the rest of my life. Taking Evergrey into a new cycle feels just as when I did it the first time. We are more motivated than ever, and with a lot of touring to be announced very soon, we cannot wait to come and play this new music for you.

BravePicks 2024 Top 30

11) EVERGREY – Theories Of Emptiness (Napalm)
12) THE CROWN – Crown Of Thorns (Metal Blade)
13) NECROPHOBIC – In The Twilight Grey (Century Media)
14) DJEVEL – Natt Til Ende (Aftermath)
15) INTRANCED – Muerte y Metal (High Roller)
16) KITTIE – Fire (Sumerian)
17) BLACKTOP MOJO – Pollen (Cuhmon Music Group)
18) BLOOD RED THRONE – Nonagon (Soulseller)
19) RIOT V – Mean Streets
20) PORTRAIT – The Host 
21) ROTTING CHRIST – Pro Xristou (Season Of Mist)
22)SAXON – Hell, Fire And Damnation (Silver Lining)
23) ULCERATE – Cutting The Throat Of God (Debemur Morti Productions)
24) POWERWOLF – Wake Up The Wicked (Napalm)
25) ENSIFERUM – Winter Storm (Metal Blade)
26) OPETH – The Last Will And Testament (Reigning Phoenix Music)
27) DARK TRANQUILLITY – Endtime Signals (Century Media)
28) MORGUL BLADE – Heavy Metal Wraiths (No Remorse)
29) THE DEAD DAISIES – Light ‘Em Up (Independent)
30) MÖRK GRYNING – Fasornas Tid (Season Of Mist)

NITRATE Release New Single And Lyric Video “Live Fast Die Young”; Feel The Heat (Deluxe Edition) Out Now

NITRATE Release New Single And Lyric Video

British melodic rock band, Nitrate, have released the deluxe edition of their latest album, Feel The Heat, available digitally on all platforms via Frontiers Music Srl. The focus track and accompanying lyric video “Live Fast, Die Young” (Radio Edit) are also out now. Watch the clip below.

Vocalist Alexander Strandell comments on the deluxe edition release, by saying: “It feels great to give the fans something more from this amazing album. It’s an honour to be involved with the Nitrate guys.”

Nitrate’s fourth studio album, Feel The Heat, was released on October 13, 2023. Produced and mixed by Martin Bros Productions (Vega), it features a duet and backing vocals by female rock artist Issa, backing vocals by rock legend Paul Laine (Danger Danger/The Defiants), along with a song co/written by legendary song writer Bob Mitchell (co-writer of the Billboard #1 song Cheap Trick’s “The Flame”).

There are also backing vocals by Leon Robert Winteringham (LRW Project), Alan Clark (Change of Heart), and a couple of co-writes by Rob Wylde (Midnite City/Tigertailz). With Richard Jacques and Alex Cooper (Devilfire, Corvus) coming on board, Nitrate delivered a record full of anthemic hook filled tracks and a more intense AOR style.

Formed in 2015 in Nottingham, England by bass player Nick Hogg, Nitrate is a Melodic/AOR rock band heavily inspired by the late ‘80s rock scene. Influenced by the likes of Def Leppard, Europe, Journey, and Bon Jovi, they have previously released three critically acclaimed albums: Real World in 2018, Open Wide in 2019, and Renegade, in 2021.

For Real World in 2018, Nick brought in Rob Wylde (Tigertailz, Midnite City) to get the project started and help with the song writing/recording process; Joss Mennen (Zinatra, Mennen) on vocals gave an authentic 80’s sound, Pete Newdeck (Eden’s Curse, Vega, Grim Reaper) mixed the album and played drums with the whole thing being mastered by Harry Hess of Harem Scarem fame.

The second album, Open Wide, in 2019, saw a couple of changes in personnel including a new singer in Philip Lindstrand (Find Me, East Temple Avenue), and Marcus Thurston (Vega) on guitars alongside Nick and Rob with Pete and Harry Hess again Mastering. The names may have changed but the same concept of classic melodic rock still applied with the album getting rave reviews and featuring on several “Best of the Year” accolades.

This was again the case for the third album which featured a more AOR style, with more changes in personnel. The new lineup for Renegade was Nick Hogg on bass, Alexander Strandell on vocals, Tom Martin on rhythm guitars, James Martin on keyboards, Dario Nikzad on lead guitar, Mikey Wilson on drums plus Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever, Revolution Saints, Giant) on backing vocals and mastering. The album sold out of print and again was featured in 2021’s “Best of the Year” reviews.

Tracklisting:

“Feel The Heat”
“All The Right Moves”
“Wild In The City”
“Needs A Little Love”
“One Kiss (To Save My Heart)” (featuring Issa)
“Live Fast, Die Young”
“Haven’t Got Time For Heartache”
“Satellite”
“Strike Like A Hurricane”
“Big Time”
“Stay”
“One Kiss (To Save My Heart)” (Acoustic Version)
“Tough Guys Don’t Cry”
“Live Fast, Die Young” (Radio Edit)
“One Kiss (To Save My Heart)” (Alternative Version)

“Live Fast, Die Young” (Radio Edit) lyric video:

“Tough Guys Don’t Cry” lyric video:

Lineup:

Nick Hogg – Bass Guitar
Alexander Strandell – Lead Vocals
Tom Martin – Guitars
James Martin – Keyboards
Alex Cooper – Drums
Richard Jacques – Guitars


POWERRAGE Feat. Former EXCITER Guitarist JOHN RICCI Joins High Roller Records

December 20, 2024, an hour ago

news heavy metal powerrage exciter high roller records

POWERRAGE Feat. Former EXCITER Guitarist JOHN RICCI Joins High Roller Records

John Ricci, the former guitarist, founding member, and main songwriter for Exciter, recently announced the formation of a powerful new band, Powerrage. The band have announced their signing to High Roller Records.

The debut album is due out sometime in 2025. Watch out for a massive dose of Canadian speed metal.

Powerrage includes Ricci alongside bassist Todd Pilon (ex-Witchkiller), vocalist Jacques Belanger, who appeared on the Exciter albums The Dark Command, Blood Of Tyrants and New Testament, and dynamic new drummer Lucas Dery, who emerged from the Canadian metal scene.


SLAYER – Repentless To Receive Reissue On Transparent Yellow Vinyl

December 20, 2024, 2 hours ago

news slayer rarities heavy metal

SLAYER – Repentless To Receive Reissue On Transparent Yellow Vinyl

Nuclear Blast Records is reissuing Slayer’s final album, 2015’s Repentless on Transparent Yellow Vinyl. The vinyl ships on January 31, 2025.

Preorder here.

Repentless was BraveWords #1 album of 2015. The album peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and acheived Gold certification in Poland (10,000 units sold).

Repentless lineup:

Kerry King – guitars
Tom Araya – bass, vocals
Paul Bostaph – drums
Gary Holt – guitars 


Featured Video

KINGDOM IN FLAMES – “Black Widow”

KINGDOM IN FLAMES – “Black Widow”

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SOPHIE LLOYD Performs Shred Version Of THE DARKNESS Holiday Song “Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)”; Video

SOPHIE LLOYD Performs Shred Version Of THE DARKNESS Holiday Song

Guitar sensation, Sophie Lloyd, has shared the video below, performing a shred version of “Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)” by The Darkness.

Says Sophie: “Merry Christmas everyone! I hope this festive period brings you cosy times with your family and loved ones! I wish you an amazing new year! Thanks again for a wonderful year supporting me!”

Get tickets for Sophie Lloyd’s January 16 show at Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles, California, here.

Sophie’s debut album, Imposter Syndrome, is available via her own Autumn Records. The album is available as a digipack CD, Black Gatefold Vinyl and Limited Edition Gatefold Purple Splatter Vinyl. Orders can be placed here.

Tracklisting:

“Do Or Die” (feat. Nathan James)
“Pressure” (feat. Brandon Saller)
“Imposter Syndrome” (feat. Lzzy Hale)
“Let It Hurt” (feat. Chris Robertson)
“Runaway” (feat. Michael Starr)
“Fall Of Man” (feat. Matthew K. Heafy)
“Lost” (feat. Cole Rolland)
“Hanging On” (feat. Lauren Babic)
“Avalanche” (feat. Trevor McNevan)
“Won’t You Come” (feat. Marisa Rodriguez)
“Judge And Jury” (feat. Tyler Connolly)

“Won’t You Come” video:

“Judge And Jury” video:

“Runaway” featuring Michael Starr of Steel Panther:

“Lost” featuring Cole Rolland:

“Hanging On” featuring Lauren Babic:

“Fall Of Man” featuring Matthew K. Heafy of Trivium:


CEMETERY SKYLINE Supergroup Releases “The Coldest Heart” (Live Semi Acoustic 2024); Video

CEMETERY SKYLINE Supergroup Releases

As a heartfelt “Thank you!” for everyone’s love and support, Cemetery Skyline are releasing “The Coldest Heart” (Live Semi Acoustic 2024), which was captured in an intimate setting shortly before the release of their debut album, Nordic Gothic, in October. Watch a video from the session below.

Markus Vanhala (guitar) looks back: “We went all the way to New York City to celebrate the release of our album, Nordic Gothic, and besides all the partying at Duff’s we played a special secret show and did it the old school 90’s MTV Unplugged trio way. So here’s one result of that night, ‘The Coldest Heart’, in its most gentle and stripped down acoustic way. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed this special moment.”

The release comes shortly after Cemetery Skyline were excited to learn that they were nominated for the Finnish Emma 2025 in the categories “Best Rock” and “Best Artist” (public vote).

Cemetery Skyline recently announced four shows in their native Finland as well as several European festivals and Prog Power USA. See below for all dates.

Cemetery Skyline tour dates:

March
19 – Helsinki, Finland – Tavastia
20 – Tampere, Finland – Olympia
21 – Jyväskylä, Finland – Lutakko
22 – Lahti, Finland – Möysä

Cemetery Skyline festival dates:

June
12-14 – Finland – Rock Fest
27-29 – Finland – Tuska Festival
18-21 – Finland – Nummirock

July
17-19 – Finland – John Smith Festival
24-26 – Finland – Kuopiorock
25-26 – Finland – Qstock Festival

August
6-9 – Spain – Leyendas Del Rock

September
3-6 – US – ProgPower USA

Cemetery Skyline lineup:

Vocals: Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity, The Halo Effect, Grand Cadaver)
Guitars: Markus Vanhala (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum, I Am The Night)
Keyboards: Santeri Kallio (Amorphis)
Bass: Victor Brandt (Dimmu Borgir, Witchery, ex-Entombed/Entombed A.D., ex-Firespawn and many more)
Drums: Vesa Ranta (Sentenced, The Abbey)


Watch Nightwish documentary on the making of latest album Yesterwynde

Nightwish have released a 45-minute documentary on the making of their latest album Yesterwynde.

The Finnish symphonic metal outfit’s 10th album was released in September of this year via Nuclear Blast, and was described by Metal Hammer as “a showcase of Nightwish’s incredible ambition.”

The documentary, which can be viewed below, includes interviews with the band as the album was coming together in the studio.

Explaining what the album means to her, vocalist Floor Jansen previously told Metal Hammer: “To me, it’s a continuous awareness about the beauty of the planet we’re on and the positivity of us as a species.

“We get all this negative feedback about killing the planet and hurting each other, and all of that is unfortunately true. But there’s also a lot of beauty to it – humanity has achieved amazing things throughout history, and we should remind ourselves of that. That is sometimes forgotten in the speed of the life we live today.”

In the same interview, Nightwish mainman Tuomas Holopainen said: “Yesterwynde has a very optimistic vibe to it. It celebrates life and humanity and mortality. The important things.

“The major theme of the album is time – going back in time, recognising your own mortality. Connecting to the past.”

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Admitting that looking to the past was appealing, considering the state of the world today, Holopainen added that there was much to be grateful for about the present.

He added: “But it’s also incredibly good in many ways. And in many ways it’s better – the innovations of science and medicine, the child death rate.

“A small example: would you rather go to the dentist today or a hundred years ago? I want to emphasise that I’m not immune to the bad stuff that’s going on in the world. I’m aware of it and I do everything I can to help.

“But I think it’s good for our mental state to recognise the good stuff. And I think that we have the chance as a species to survive and get together. That’s the core message, the essence, of Yesterwynde.”

Nightwish – Making of Yesterwynde – YouTube Nightwish - Making of Yesterwynde - YouTube

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Lars Ulrich embarrassed Biohazard’s Billy Graziadei in front of his friends –but quickly made up for it in style

Billy Graziadei of Biohazard performs at Alcatraz Metal Fest on August 12, 2023 in Kortrijk, Belgium.

(Image credit: Elsie Roymans/Getty Images)

Biohazard’s Billy Graziadei has recalled the time Lars Ulrich’s cold shoulder resulted in an awkward encounter – but ended with a dream-come-true support slot on a Metallica tour.

Graziadei says he was with friends at a New York club when they spotted the Metallica drummer. The Biohazard man wanted to introduce his friends to Ulrich, but it didn’t quite go to plan.

He tells 96.7 KCAL-FM: “Some friends of mine had some spot in Manhattan. And it was a pretty happening spot.

“I’m outside talking to the security dudes and the owners, and we’re all young kids; they’re buddies of mine. So, Lars walks up. He’s got maybe an entourage of 10 people.

“One of the owners says, ‘Hey, you know Lars. Can you introduce us?’ I’m, like, ‘Yeah, no problem.’ So Lars walks by, and I’m, like, ‘Yo, what’s up, bro?’ And he looks at me, kind of nods his head and says, ‘Yeah, hi,’ and walks right past me.

“So as New Yorkers, my buddies were busting my balls. They’re, like, ‘You don’t know him.’ I’m, like, ‘I do know. And he fucking knows me.’

“So I rushed. I walk in the club. I walk up the stairs, VIP. And I pushed through to him and his people. And I sit right down next to him. I’m, like, ‘Yo. What the fuck? You know who I am.’I said, ‘You made me like an idiot in front of my buddies. You know me. Billy from Biohazard.’

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“He goes, ‘Oh, I didn’t recognize your hair.’ I’m, like, ‘It’s always blonde, dude. That’s my thing.’ It’s like Dimebag with his red beard.

“The next morning I get a call from my manager, Scott Koenig, rest in peace. He said to me, ‘Hey, I heard you bumped into Lars last night.’

“And I’m, like, ‘Oh, here he goes. He’s gonna bust my balls.’ And so I started telling the story. He interrupts me and he said, ‘Well, I don’t know what happened or what you said or how you handled it, but they wanna take you on tour.’

“And I pretty much dropped the phone, and I was, like, ‘Yo, what?’ I picked the phone up. ‘They wanna take us on tour? Fucking Metallica?'”

Graziadei says the fact he was respectful in calling Lars out paid off in a big way.

He adds: “I was cool with Lars. I just basically stood up to him and said, ‘Hey, you know me. Don’t act like you don’t know me, especially in front of my friends in New York. They’re gonna bust my balls.’

“If you meet somebody in a band and that’s your ideal band that you wanna tour with, you go out of your way to say hello, be cool, be cordial, you pay for their beer, whatever.

“I’m not saying kiss their ass, but there’s the right way to handle it and the wrong way to handle it.

“So, word to the wise, you wanna treat people always with respect, no matter who you are. I don’t care if you’re the garbage man or the president, you’re cool with me, you get my respect, and that’s it.

“But you’ve always gotta stand up for yourself. And I think Lars just respected the fact that I wasn’t afraid to tell him, ‘Yo…’ I had to put him in check, in a respectful way.”

Powerflo Billy Graziadei – YouTube Powerflo Billy Graziadei - YouTube

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Stef wrote close to 5,000 stories during his time as assistant online news editor and later as online news editor between 2014-2016. An accomplished reporter and journalist, Stef has written extensively for a number of UK newspapers and also played bass with UK rock favourites Logan. His favourite bands are Pixies and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Stef left the world of rock’n’roll news behind when he moved to his beloved Canada in 2016, but he started on his next 5000 stories in 2022. 

VULTURES VENGEANCE To Release Dust Age In February; “Those Who Sold The World” Lyric Video Streaming

VULTURES VENGEANCE To Release Dust Age In February;

Vultures Vengeance are an upcoming epic metal band in the tradition of Cirith Ungol, Manilla Road and Brocas Helm. They formed in Rome in 2009 and after one demo and two EPs released their first full-length record The Knightlore in 2019. The album received encouraging reviews in the underground scene all over the world and is now being followed by Dust Age, their debut for High Roller Records, out February 21, 2025. Preorder at hrrecords.de.

First single and lyric video for “Those Who Sold The World” is available now.

Tony T. Steele, guitarist and singer of the band, explains what happened with Vultures Vengeance after the release The Knightlore in 2019: “We recorded Dust Age in October 2020 but in the meantime Covid had arrived and we had to cancel many shows around Europe. So we decided to wait because we wanted to play live after the release, and we had many problems with the line-up because Tony L.A. and Matt Savage decided to quit the band. The research for a new bass player and a new guitarist extended the time for the release of the new album even further.” 

He continues: “The album was recorded with the old line-up, except for the drummer, Damian. We recorded it at the 16 Cellar Studio in Rome and after that we worked with Marco S. Vermiglio of The Forge studio in Sweden for the mix.”

Steele doesn’t see the new album as a direct continuation of The Knightlore: “I think the approach is different, but at the same time the mark of Vultures Vengeance is totally recognizable and not so far away from what we have done in the past.” 

According to him “the dust age is the vision of a future world in ruins as a consequence of the modern world.” He explains in more detail: “The lyrical themes are different for each song, and they are all allegories of a vision of the modern world told through imaginary tales of war, slavery, corruption and power. If you share these visions, it wouldn’t be too difficult for you to interpret the lyrics.” “My favourite track on Dust Age is ‘City Of Thousand Blades’ at the moment,” he continues. “It is actually really old, we have been playing that song since 2009 during rehearsals.”

As mentioned earlier, Vultures Vengeance are widely considered to be an epic metal band, heavily influenced by the sound of Warlord, Brocas Helm, Cirith Ungol, early Manowar or The Lord Weird Slough Feg, and Tony T. Steele doesn’t deny this: “I absolutely love all these bands that you mentioned and I can say that they are a heavy influence in my life, but I would call Vultures Vengeance simply a heavy metal band. I think that the word ‘epic’ only refers to bands who create an ‘ancient’ atmosphere in their music and imagery.”

Tracklisting:

“Dust Age”
“Queen Of The Last Night”
“Reign Of Severance”
“City Of A Thousand Blades”
“The Exiled”
“The Foul Mighty Temple Of Men”
“It Holds”

“Those Who Sold The World”:


AVANTASIA – “The Moorlands At Twilight” Features MICHAEL KISKE, “A Rampant Speed Metal Anthem,” Says TOBIAS SAMMET

AVANTASIA – “The Moorlands At Twilight” Features MICHAEL KISKE, “A Rampant Speed Metal Anthem,” Says TOBIAS SAMMET

Avantasia mastermind Tobias Sammet has checked-in with a statement about “The Moorlands At Twilight” from the upcoming Here Be Dragons album. The song features one of the usual suspects in Helloween’s Michael Kiske.

Sammet writes: “Track by Track: ‘The Moorlands At Twilight’ is a really rampant speed metal anthem with my lovely brother in Avantasia since the early days, Michael Kiske delivering a killer vocal performance. I guess that type of music is just in my DNA and even though it’s a classic Avantasia song I think that the atmosphere is different to anything we’ve done before. I can hear some early Helloween influence in there, even though the song is very unique with its playful neo-classical elements and wild approach. Also, the lead guitars are extreme and quite virtuous: Sascha Paeth and Arne Wiegand have delivered an extensive, fast and hymnic axe battle that made my jaw drop. When ‘power metal’ is done like that, I absolutely love it!”

Sammet previously described “Here Be Dragons”:

“Track by Track: ‘Here Be Dragons’ is the longest song on the album and features a great duet with my good friend and one of my vocal heroes since his early days in Queensrÿche, Mr. Geoff Tate, who’s outdone himself on the track. It’s a groovy mid-tempo song with enchanting melodies, orchestral elements, big keyboard passages and a powerful guitar riffing driving the main parts of the song. Even though you can hear some classic Dio, Queensrÿche and even Marillion elements in there, it’s a typical Avantasia song and a very unqiue one. It has two different choruses and a very emotional and big sounding mid-section. The song wasn’t meant to be that long, but there isn’t a single note I would change or leave out if I listen to the final result now.”

Rock and metal flagship, Avantasia, will release their 10th studio album and Napalm Records debut, Here Be Dragons, on February 28. They recently unleashed the energizing first new single, “Creepshow”.

The new track is one of the catchiest songs of Avantasia’s career so far, and it arrives with an exciting, cinematic music video. The guaranteed future hit rings in a new era of Avantasia and will be an integral part of Avantasia’s spectacular live shows.

In their 25 years of existence, Avantasia has become one of the biggest leading forces in metal, boasting nine successful previous albums (such as the #1 charting Moonglow), worldwide sold-out arena tours and headline shows at all of the most important metal festivals. Here Be Dragons is sure to exceed all expectations as the most powerful Avantasia album so far.

Tobias Sammet on the single and video: “‘Creepshow’ is a perfect single. It’s short and catchy, and it emphasizes a facet of my work that has taken a backseat in my music in recent years. It’s light-hearted and the opposite of melancholic. And it’s fresh, boisterous and unabashed – a straightforward kick-ass anthem. Also, even though it may seem like a reminiscence of my earlier writing, I think we managed to turn the whole thing into a trademark Avantasia tune, as we accentuated with the music video. We rented a haunted castle in North England and celebrated a night in the world of spectres and undead creatures. This is the most vibrant and eccentric music video I’ve ever shot in my entire career, not dead-serious, but certainly of serious quality! I can’t wait to play ‘Creepshow’ live on our tour next year, I can already see the whole venue jumping up and down and screaming along!”

Watch the official music video for “Creepshow”:

Featuring absolute Avantasia essentials such as spellbinding choirs and theatrical symphonic metal elements, multitalented mastermind and frontman Tobias Sammet also surprises fans old and new with plenty of intriguing fresh soundscapes. Here Be Dragons gives the celebrated Avantasia sound that has been carefully crafted over a quarter of a century an exciting and powerful spin. The new album is the most consistent and concise piece of art that the band has ever crafted.

Avantasia is not showing any signs of slowing down – soon after the release of Here Be Dragons, the band will head out on an extensive arena tour across Europe, promising to deliver fans an immersive experience with their biggest and most epic production ever.

In grand Avantasia tradition, the new full-length is rich in vivid storytelling and cinematic atmospheres, not to mention the highest level of musicianship. Opening track “Creepshow” is without a doubt one of the catchiest songs in their career. The energizing future hit truly welcomes the listener into the new era of Avantasia and will be an integral part of the band’s spectacular live shows. In contrast, the incredible title track “Here Be Dragons” is a classic Avantasia song, and at almost nine minutes, is by far the longest on the album. The cinematic dark soundscapes of “The Witch” captivate and support the song’s storyline perfectly. Emotional, multifaceted vocal performances mesmerize on “Avalon”, while the heavy metal number “Against The Wind” serves as further proof of the versatility of Avantasia’s sound. Remaining well-balanced and cohesive, Here Be Dragons is undeniably Avantasia’s most powerful album so far.

The 10-track offering was written and composed in its entirety by Tobias Sammet himself, produced and recorded by Tobias Sammet together with Sascha Paeth, mixed by Sascha Paeth and mastered by Michael Rodenberg. The stunning cover art was once again created by acclaimed British fantasy artist Rodney Matthews. Here Be Dragons marks another masterpiece in the Avantasia catalog, leaving both fans and critics speechless and proving the band’s standing as a main force in the world of rock and metal!

Here Be Dragons is now available for pre-order in several exciting physical editions, with bonus albums included in select limited formats, like a 3CD hardcover artbook with 96 pages, over 160 pictures, drawings of Rodney Matthews and extensive stories to accompany the music and pictures. 

Here Be Dragons will be available in the following formats:

– 3CD-Artbook – large format, hardcover book incl. 96 pages, over 160 pictures and extensive stories and liner notes
– 3LP Vinyl Box incl 72 Pages 12″ Booklet – strictly limited to 500 copies
– 1LP Glow in the Dark Vinyl incl 12” Booklet – strictly limited to 300 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive
– 1LP Yellow/Orange Marbled Vinyl incl 12” Booklet – strictly limited to 300 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive
– 1LP Blue/White Splattered Vinyl incl 12″ Booklet + Poster + Slipmat – strictly limited to 500 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive ROW
– 1LP Orange incl 12” Booklet     
– 1LP Black incl 12” Booklet         
– Tape – strictly limited to 100 copies – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive           
– 2CD Mediabook              
– 1CD Digipak                     
– Digital Album

Pre-order here.

Here Be Dragons tracklisting:

“Creepshow”
“Here Be Dragons”
“The Moorland At Twilight”
“The Witch”
“Phantasmagoria”
“Bring On The Night”
“Unleash The Kraken”
“Avalon”
“Against The Wind”
“Everybody’s Here Until The End”

2025 tour dates:

March
14 – Hamburg, Germany – Sporthalle
15 – Brussels, Belgium – AB Box
16 – Paris, France – Olympia
18 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal
20 – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle
21 – Bamberg, Germany – Brose Arena
22 – Bochum, Germany – RuhrCongress
24 – London, England – The Roundhouse
26 – Tilburg, Netherlands – O13
28 – Stuttgart, Germany – Schleyerhalle
29 – Prague, Czech Republic – Forum Karlin

April
1 – Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra
2 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
4 – Munich, Germany – Zenith
5 – Frankfurt am Main, Germany – Jahrhunderthalle
6 – Cologne, Germany – Palladium
8 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
9 – Zurich, Switzerland – The Hall
11 – Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz
12 – Madrid, Spain – Vistalegre
23 – Helsinki, Finland – Black Box
25 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
26 – Stockholm, Sweden – Arenan Fryshuset

(Photo – Kevin Nixon)