Here Be Dragons

Tobias Sammet's Avantasia have always trafficked in operatic power metal excess, conjuring realms of dragons, sorcerers and heroic quests with a gleeful disregard for subtlety. *Here Be Dragons*, their latest offering, continues this tradition – a sprawling, three-hour epic that aims to overwhelm the listener with its sheer ambition. And while it occasionally succeeds, the album ultimately feels like a gilded cage; impressive in its construction but lacking genuine innovation.

The opening track, 'Creepshow', sets the stage with a suitably bombastic fanfare, immediately establishing the theatrical tone. The title track itself is a sprawling beast of a song, showcasing the band's signature blend of soaring vocals, intricate instrumentation and grandiose arrangements. However, it's here that the first cracks begin to appear. While undeniably catchy, the lyrical content – tales of ancient evils and perilous journeys – feels derivative, drawing heavily from familiar fantasy tropes without offering much in the way of fresh perspective. It's all very… predictable.

The sheer scale is impressive, even if the narrative thread gets tangled in its own elaborate embroidery.

The album's mid-section is a mixed bag. 'The Moorlands At Twilight' attempts to evoke atmosphere with its melancholic melodies and layered vocals, but it lacks the necessary gravitas to truly resonate. Tracks like 'Unleash The Kraken' offer brief bursts of energy, propelled by driving rhythms and blistering guitar work, but these moments are fleeting, often swallowed up by the album's overall sense of bloated grandeur. It's as if Sammet is throwing everything at the wall – choirs, orchestras, guest vocalists – in a desperate attempt to create something truly epic, but the cumulative effect is more exhausting than exhilarating.

The inclusion of live tracks and instrumental versions feels like padding, further extending an already lengthy runtime. While the '80s version of 'Bring On The Night' provides a momentary diversion with its synth-laden melodies, it ultimately highlights the album's lack of originality. It's as if Sammet is saying, "Look! I can do other things!" when what we really want is for him to push the boundaries of his established sound.

The vocal performances are, as always, technically proficient. Tobias Sammet's soaring vocals remain a constant throughout, ably supported by a rotating cast of guest singers who contribute their own unique flair. However, even these strong performances can't fully compensate for the album's structural weaknesses. The narrative thread – a quest to defeat an ancient evil – becomes increasingly convoluted and difficult to follow, lost in a labyrinth of musical digressions and lyrical clichés.

The instrumental tracks, while showcasing the band's technical prowess, serve only to further dilute the album's impact. They feel like filler, designed to pad out the runtime rather than enhance the listening experience. One can appreciate the musicianship on display, but their inclusion ultimately detracts from the overall flow of the album.

Despite its flaws, *Here Be Dragons* isn't entirely without merit. There are moments of genuine grandeur and undeniable musicality that shine through the layers of bombast and cliché. The production is impeccable, creating a rich and immersive sonic landscape. However, these fleeting moments of brilliance are ultimately overshadowed by the album's overall sense of predictability and excess.

The bonus live tracks offer a glimpse into the band's energetic stage presence, but even these can't fully redeem the album's shortcomings. The instrumental versions feel like an afterthought, tacked on to justify the extended runtime. It's as if Sammet is afraid to let the music speak for itself.

Ultimately, *Here Be Dragons* is a frustratingly uneven experience. It's a sprawling, theatrical odyssey that aims high but ultimately falls short of its ambitions. While it offers moments of genuine grandeur and undeniable musicality, it's also weighed down by derivative lyrics, convoluted narratives and an overabundance of self-indulgence. A competent, if uninspired, addition to the Avantasia catalogue – but hardly a dragon's hoard of brilliance.