TIMO TOLKKI’s AVALON – Return to Eden [Japan Edition +1] (2019)

TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON will release its new album, “Return To Eden”, on June 14 via Frontiers Music, and tomorrow in Japan with an extra track. Guests on the disc include Todd Michael Hall (Riot V), Mariangela Demurtas (Tristania), Zachary Stevens (Savatage), Anneke Van Giersbergen (The Gathering) and Eduard Hovinga (Elegy).

Although AVALON has been described by the media as a metal opera, it really is a vehicle for former Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki to express his music in various formats using high-quality musicians. It doesn’t have a permanent line-up except for Tolkki.
Five years in the making, “Return to Eden” is the third AVALON album, where talented Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere) helped Tolkki with the production.
While musically the songs are obviously impregnated by sympho metal, also to be found is hard rock, melodic metal, and a bit of progressive.

The disc opens with the furious melodic metal hymn “Promises”, a killer tune in a very Malmsteen-esque style regarding the guitars and with a fantastic melody on it. Todd Michael Hall takes command on lead vocals here and he rocks.

The epic title track and the beautiful “Hear My Call” (feat. Anneke Van Giersbergen) are two numbers that will be loved by each and every fan of the classic symphonic sound out there. “Miles Away” features a more progressive sound and it’s one of the most interesting tracks.
On “Limits” Tolkki go for and edgy, metallic sound, then in “Wasted Dreams” we have yet another highlight out of the new opus, more hard rocking with a chorus line to die for and these amazing guitar lines in front row.

“Return to Eden” features excellent performances by renowned vocalists, great arrangements, an impressive & varied guitar work and tons of melodies. Production is clear, and especially, the mix, essential for this type of music.
Another really strong AVALON album.
Highly Recommended

01. Enlighten
02. Promises (feat. Todd Michael Hall)
03. Return To Eden (feat. Demurtas, Stevens, & Hall)
04. Hear My Call (feat. Anneke Van Giersbergen)
05. Now and Forever (feat. Todd Michael Hall)
06. Miles Away (feat. Zachary Stevens)
07. Limits (feat. Eduard Hovinga)
08. We Are The Ones (feat. Anneke Van Giersbergen)
09. Godsend (feat. Mariangela Demurtas)
10. Give Me Hope (feat. Eduard Hovinga)
11. Wasted Dreams (feat. Zachary Stevens)
12. Guiding Star (feat. Mariangela Demurtas)
13. Godsend (Orchestral Version) (Japan Bonus Track)

Timo Tolkki – Guitars, Bass
Todd Michael Hall – Vocals (Promises, Now And Forever, Return To Eden)
Anneke Van Giersbergen – Vocals (Hear My Call, We Are The Ones)
Mariangela Demurtas – Vocals (Godsend, Guiding Star, Return To Eden)
Zachary Stevens – Vocals (Miles Away, Wasted Dreams, Return To Eden)
Eduard Hovinga – Vocals (Give Me Hope, Limits)
Andrea Buratto – Bass
Antonio Agate – Piano and Keyboards
Giulio Capone – Drums, Piano and Keyboards
Aldo Lonobile – Guitars

Pre Order:
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/KICP-1986
.