Another epic, but with slight downsides

After "The Wicked Symphony" could meet the expectations fairly, you can of course on the second album "Angel Of Babylon", which appears at the same time and also in combination is available, be interesting to see whether this comes close to the level presented.

Sammet rises even with "Angel Of Babylon" with a 10-minute film, and brings with "Stargazers", which of course has nothing to do with rainbows classic, a big start to the race. Michael Kiske, Jorn Lande and Tobias mimic the main roles again and make this extra-long track to a lovely experience. The subsequent title track is a beautiful power metal track, but not great and stands out in the simple rocker "Your Love Is Evil" passes.

What was Alice Cooper "The Toy Master", is Jon Oliva (Savatage) in "Death Is Just A Feeling". The so-called "Mountain King" makes this dark and evil sounding song into something very special and also brings its own spirit in the music. Quite large, which the man rears here and the bad guy is anyway tailored on his oversized body. The Chorus penetrates immediately into your ear, without there to try out again. "Rat Race", however, can shine through EDGUY and "Down In The Dark" is nice and consistent, but seems a bit long-winded for the first time.

Somehow I come at this point feel that Mr. Sammet some have run out of ideas and he might for the time being on "The Wicked Symphony" should rest in order to give "Angel Of Babylon" more time. But he pushes it further and holds with "Blowing Out The Flame" to lard factor remains high. He has actually already hinbekommen better if you "Blessing In Disguise" thinks of classic EDGUY as "Wash Away The Poison" or ballads.

In "Symphony Of Life" may for the first time a woman at the microphone. The previously unknown to me Cloudy Yang makes their job very well indeed, but the song itself sounds like a mixture of WITHIN TEMPTATION, which is nothing so bad, but also by a dark pop, as it fabricated for example TATTOO.

It continues with "Alone I Remember" and you can not put accents again. My fear came true unfortunately, until then "Promised Land" finally gives gas, brings beautiful melodies and lights from behind to front. Nevertheless, the part is a stopgap, but it is already known from the pre-EP "Lost In Space". The song was also verschlimmbessert because Michael Kiske has simply deleted and can Jorn singing the rest of what the feeling evokes that something is missing. I can not understand this decision.

Then it gets even the most longed for clearance with the little opera "Journey To Arcadia". The song has everything you'd expect from AVANTASIA. A beautiful acoustic intro with chanting - you remember the strong "Farewell" and "Inside" from the debut - choruses, beautiful melodies and a damn horny Chorus, in which certainly stood MEAT LOAF Pate. An absolutely beautiful Musical finally makes one but then entice a smile out.

It all started so well, but then leaves Tobias Sammet the lard off and falls into nondescript songwriting. Bad is by far none of the pieces, but after the highlights of "The Wicked Symphony" one wonders whether it is not just a little more to "Angel Of Babylon" should work. The need anyway decide for themselves, but if I could only have one thing on the albums, I would from the "Wicked Trilogy" without hesitation "The Wicked Symphony" choose, although I would leave Jon Oliva. The fan will pick up the double but anyway, what is also not an error.