More than Metal Opera - still great!

As Frank Albrecht once said: This work by Tobi Sammet is more Metal than classical opera - but that is still far from holding that it was not of high quality. If one may speak of classical music, this "A New Dimension" in the form of orchestral keyboard sounds would be mainly in the brief passages like "In Nomine Patris", or encountered.
The rest is basically classic Helloween / Gamma Ray / Edguy melodic speed metal, with great songs that go into your ear (mainly due to the choruses) as "Glory of Rome", the title track "Avantasia" or "Sign Of The Cross "; but especially the first song "Reach Out For The Light" (my personal favorite) and the last track "The Tower", which - although Tobi Sammet had not clarified from the outset that there will be a second part - a continuation of guarantees since a question is asked ("... was it my fault or was it no one's fault?") and as the music gains a certain drama.
Beautifully also the ballad "Farewell", in me especially the vocals of Sharon Den Adel (I have the name honestly never heard) impressed. A very short sequence only that she has to sing - but what a wonderful, wonderfully clear voice!
To Tobi Sammet's vocals I have to say that I find his voice well overall, however, he sometimes puts a little too heavy vibrato to the day in the high altitudes. Despite a great performance and the whole album is worthy of respect, even from the story here - there is only once a draufkommen! - Clearly 5 stars!