Avalon (Finnish band)

Last updated
Timo Tolkki's Avalon
OriginFinland
Genres Symphonic power metal
Years active20132021
Labels Frontiers
Members Timo Tolkki
Website tolkki.org

Timo Tolkki's Avalon (also known simply as Avalon) was a Finnish metal opera project created by Timo Tolkki (formerly of Stratovarius, Revolution Renaissance and Symfonia) in 2013. [1]

Contents

According to Tolkki "I find the Metal Opera concept fascinating and logical to me at this point of my career. I love classical music and just like in Classical Opera, in the Metal Opera you can also create stories and have almost limitless possibilities musically". [2]

History

Foundation and The Land of New Hope (2013)

The project, including its name, was conceived by Frontiers Records's founder Serafino Perugino in 2010. He called Tolkki back then and asked if he wanted to do a metal opera like that. [3]

The project's debut album, The Land of New Hope , was released on 17 May 2013 through Frontiers Records. The album features performances by vocalists Elize Ryd, Rob Rock, Michael Kiske, Russell Allen, Sharon den Adel and Tony Kakko, as well as the participation of guest musicians Alex Holzwarth on drums and both Jens Johansson and Derek Sherinian on keyboards. [4]

Tobias Sammet, German musician and mentor of Avantasia, another metal opera which had its 6th album released in March 2013, received the news of Timo Tolkki's own project with initial sarcasm, stating: "Wow, someone is extraordinarily creative here: the title, the guests, the timing... What a funny coincidence, isn't it?! But there have been thousands of Metal Operas, especially after Avantasia. Such is business...". [5] However, he later stated: "There are a lot of metal operas out there, and I have to deal with that. If something is very successful or even not successful then other people may feel inspired by it. It's Timo Tolkki (laughs) what can I say, he's a great guy and he does what he does. I wish him the best of luck." [6]

When asked about if he was aware that this project would be compared to Avantasia, Timo replied that "Nobody owns a franchise to 'metal operas' which is not really an operatic format because it doesn't have any real dialogue between the singers." [7]

Angels of the Apocalypse (2014)

In October 2013 Timo launched a news website for the project in which he announced the sequel to The Land of New Hope, which was provisionally titled Avalon II. [8] The cast of guest musicians will be revealed one by one. [8] Simone Simons of Epica fame is the first confirmed singer. [9] Floor Jansen will play the leading role. [10] It was also announced that Timo's former bandmates in Stratovarius, drummer Tuomo Lassila and keyboardist Antti Ikonen will play on this album. [11] [12]

On 28 January Timo revealed title of the album ( Angels of the Apocalypse ) and the rest of the cast: Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire, Angra), David DeFeis (Virgin Steele), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) and Caterina Nix. [13] Timo also announced that there will be a contest for guitar and keyboard players, with the winners getting a chance to perform a solo with him in one of the songs. [13]

A European tour was planned for May 2014, coinciding with the release of the album. [10]

Return to Eden (2019), The Enigma Birth (2021) and dissolution

In early 2019, Timo Tolkki announced the third Avalon album and remaining part of the Avalon trilogy, Return to Eden , with the main working song, "Promises". [14] [15]

The fourth Avalon studio album, The Enigma Birth was released on 18 June 2021, extending the Avalon conceptual saga. [16] Shortly after the album's release, Timo Tolkki announced the end of the Avalon project after a dispute with Frontiers Records.

Members

Instrumentalists

NameAssociated bands The Land of New Hope Angels of the Apocalypse Return to Eden The Enigma Birth
Flag of Finland.svg Timo Tolkki Stratovarius, Revolution Renaissance, Symfonia, Allen-Lande guitar, bassguitar, bassguitarguitar
Flag of Germany.svg Alex Holzwarth Rhapsody of Fire drums
Flag of Finland.svg Mikko Härkin Sonata Arctica, Symfonia, Luca Turilli's Rhapsody keyboards
Flag of the United States.svg Derek Sherinian Dream Theater, Black Country Communion, Yngwie Malmsteen, Planet X, Sons of Apollo keyboard solo on track 8
Flag of Sweden.svg Jens Johansson Stratovarius, Yngwie Malmsteen, Cain's Offering keyboard solo on track 8
Flag of Finland.svg Sami Boman Silentium orchestration
Flag of Finland.svg Tuomo Lassila Stratovarius drums
Flag of Finland.svg Antti Ikonen Stratovarius keyboards
Flag of France.svg Nicolas Jeudyorchestration
Flag of Italy.svg Andrea Buratto Secret Sphere bass
Flag of Italy.svg Giulio Capone Temperance drums, piano, keyboards
Flag of Finland.svg Santtu Lehtiniemiadditional guitar
Flag of Italy.svg Aldo Lonobile Secret Sphere, Death SS guitarguitar
Flag of Italy.svg Antonio Agate Secret Sphere, Icon & The Black Roses piano, keyboards, orchestrationpiano, keyboards, orchestration
Flag of Italy.svg Andrea Arcangeli Concept, DGM bass
Flag of Italy.svg Marco Lazzarini Secret Sphere drums, piano, keyboards
Flag of Italy.svg Federico Maraucciadditional guitar

Singers

NameAssociated bands The Land of New Hope Angels of the Apocalypse Return to Eden The Enigma Birth
Flag of the United States.svg Rob Rock Impellitteri lead vocals on tracks 1–2, 4–5, 7-8
Flag of the United States.svg Russell Allen Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob, Allen-Lande, Star One lead vocals on tracks 1–2, 4
Flag of Germany.svg Michael Kiske Unisonic, Place Vendome, Kiske/Somerville, Helloween lead vocals on track 10
Flag of Finland.svg Tony Kakko Sonata Arctica lead vocals on track 5
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Sharon den Adel Within Temptation lead vocals on track 6
Flag of Sweden.svg Elize Ryd Amaranthe lead vocals on tracks 1–4, 6, 9lead vocals on tracks 9-10
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Floor Jansen Nightwish, ReVamp, After Forever, Star One, Ayreon lead vocals on tracks 3, 6–7, 10
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Simone Simons Epica lead vocals on tracks 9-10
Flag of the United States.svg David DeFeis Virgin Steele lead vocals on track 4
Flag of Italy.svg Fabio Lione Rhapsody of Fire, Vision Divine, Angra lead vocals on tracks 1–2, 5lead vocals on tracks 9, 12
Flag of Chile.svg Caterina NixAghonya, Chaos Magic lead vocals on tracks 9-10lead vocals on tracks 2-3
Flag of the United States.svg Zachary Stevens Circle II Circle, Savatage lead vocals on track 8lead vocals on tracks 3, 6, 11
Flag of the United States.svg Todd Michael Hall Riot V lead vocals on tracks 2–3, 5
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Anneke van Giersbergen The Gathering, Anneke van Giersbergen lead vocals on tracks 4, 8
Flag of Italy.svg Mariangela Demurtas Tristania lead vocals on tracks 3, 9, 12
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Eduard Hovinga Elegy lead vocals on tracks 7, 10
Flag of Italy.svg Chiara Tricarico Temperance backing vocals on track 9
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg James LaBrie Dream Theater, MullMuzzler lead vocals on track 5
Flag of Sweden.svg Jake E ex-Amaranthe, Cyhra lead vocals on tracks 6, 10
Flag of Brazil.svg Marina La TorracaPhantom Elite, Exit Eden lead vocals on tracks 7, 11
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Brittney Hayes Unleash the Archers lead vocals on tracks 3, 10
Flag of Brazil.svg Raphael MendesIcon of Sinlead vocals on tracks 4, 8
Flag of Norway.svg PelleK lead vocals on track 1

Discography

YearAlbumPeak positions
BEL (Wa)
[17]
FIN
[18]
SWE
[19]
SWI
[20]
2013 The Land of New Hope 10274259
2014 Angels of the Apocalypse 42
2019 Return to Eden 7
2021 The Enigma Birth 46
[21]
43

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stratovarius</span> Finnish power metal band

Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band. Formed in 1984, they have released sixteen studio albums, five DVDs and six live albums. The band's line-up has changed many times, and after guitarist Timo Tolkki's departure in 2008, no founding members remain. Currently, the longest standing member is singer Timo Kotipelto, who joined in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avantasia</span> German heavy metal supergroup

Avantasia is a German supergroup metal opera project created by Tobias Sammet, vocalist of the band Edguy. It has been characterized as a rock opera, as it features the contributions of various vocalists and musicians and it consists of concept albums. The name is a blend of the words Avalon and fantasia ('fantasy') and describes "a world beyond human imagination".

<i>The Metal Opera</i> 2001 studio album by Avantasia

The Metal Opera is the first full-length album by Tobias Sammet's German supergroup project, Avantasia. It is a concept album and a metal opera. The album is followed by the sequel The Metal Opera Part II. Both were written over the course of a year, starting in the last quarter of 1998, and both were produced from October 1999 to June 2000, with the works being interrupted for some weeks so Sammet could produce The Savage Poetry with his other band Edguy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edguy</span> German heavy metal band

Edguy is a heavy metal band formed in Fulda, Germany in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timo Tolkki</span> Finnish musician (born 1966)

Timo Tapio Tolkki is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. With his tenure lasting for more than twenty years, he was the longest standing member of the band before his departure in 2008. After leaving Stratovarius he formed two supergroups named Revolution Renaissance and Symfonia, both of which have since disbanded. In a 2011 article by Guitar World magazine, Tolkki was included in the all-time top 50 list of the world's fastest guitarists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Kiske</span> German singer (born 1968)

Michael Kiske is a German singer and co-lead vocalist for the power metal band Helloween. Kiske has released four solo albums, two albums with the hard rock band Unisonic, has participated on various metal and rock related projects, such as Avantasia, Place Vendome and Kiske/Somerville and has also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tobias Sammet</span> German musician

Tobias Sammet is a German musician, singer, songwriter, music producer and radio host best known for being the singer and primary songwriter of the power metal band Edguy, and the founder of the metal opera project Avantasia.

<i>Dreamspace</i> 1994 studio album by Stratovarius

Dreamspace is the third studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on 9 February 1994 through Noise Records. It is the last Stratovarius album to feature guitarist Timo Tolkki on vocals, as well as the first to feature bassist Jari Kainulainen.

<i>The Metal Opera Part II</i> 2002 studio album by Avantasia

The Metal Opera Pt. II is the second full-length album by Tobias Sammet's German supergroup project, Avantasia. It is a concept album and a metal opera. The songs carry on the story begun in The Metal Opera, with the same characters. Both albums were written over the course of a year, starting in the last quarter of 1998, and both were produced from October 1999 to June 2000, with the works being interrupted for some weeks so Sammet could produce The Savage Poetry with his other band Edguy.

<i>Fourth Dimension</i> (Stratovarius album) 1995 studio album by Stratovarius

Fourth Dimension is the fourth studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on 11 April 1995 through Noise Records. The album is the band's first to feature vocalist Timo Kotipelto as well as the last with keyboardist Antti Ikonen and drummer Tuomo Lassila, thus being the last Stratovarius album to date featuring an all-Finnish line-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revolution Renaissance</span> Power metal band

Revolution Renaissance was a multinational power metal band founded by guitarist Timo Tolkki after he left Stratovarius in 2008. The band released three studio albums before disbanding in 2010.

<i>Classical Variations and Themes</i> 1994 studio album by Timo Tolkki

Classical Variations and Themes is the first studio album by former Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki, released in 1994 through Goldenworks Ky (Europe) and Victor Entertainment (Japan); and reissued in 2004 through Irond Records.

<i>New Era</i> (Revolution Renaissance album) 2008 studio album by Revolution Renaissance

New Era is the debut album of Finnish power metal pioneer Timo Tolkki's band, Revolution Renaissance. After Tolkki's split from Stratovarius in 2008, he used what fans knew the album to be titled R... R.... as the namesake for his new project. Using material he had written for Stratovarius's upcoming album, Tolkki's New Era features the talents of German power metal vocalist Tobias Sammet and German singer Michael Kiske, among others.

<i>The Metal Opera: Pt 1 & 2 – Gold Edition</i> 2008 box set by Avantasia

The Metal Opera: Pt 1 & 2 – Gold Edition is a box set by German band Avantasia, released through the band's former label AFM Records on March 6, 2008. The set contains Avantasia's first two albums on two gold CDs, a 44-page booklet with the storyline, rare photos, liner notes, and an interview with project mastermind Tobias Sammet; all inside a luxury leather box.

<i>Twilight Time</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Stratovarius

Twilight Time is the second studio album by the power metal band Stratovarius. The album was originally recorded and released in the band's native Finland as Stratovarius II in early 1992 by Bluelight Records, followed by a reissue in Europe with different cover art in October of that year by Shark Records. A third edition was issued in Japan in July 1993 by Victor Entertainment, renaming the album Twilight Time with yet another cover design; this is the most common version in circulation today. On the back cover, bassist Jari Behm appears in a band photo and is credited with playing, but all bass parts on the album were actually performed by the guitarist and then-bandleader Timo Tolkki.

Tuomo Ollinpoika Lassila is a Finnish percussionist and heavy metal drummer. He is best known as the former drummer, founding member and co-songwriter of the power metal band Stratovarius from 1985 to 1995. Currently he is the principal percussionist of the Lohja City Orchestra and the drummer and percussionist for the Finnish metal band Conquest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elize Ryd</span> Swedish singer (born 1984)

Hanna Elise Isabell Maj Höstblomma Ryd, known professionally as Elize Ryd, is a Swedish singer, best known as one of the three vocalists and co-lyricist in the heavy metal band Amaranthe. She also gained some popularity prior to the band's inception by performing guest vocals for the symphonic power metal band Kamelot, both on tour and in the studio. She sings in the soprano range.

<i>The Land of New Hope</i> 2013 studio album by Avalon

The Land of New Hope is the first full-length album by Timo Tolkki's Finnish metal opera project Avalon. The album was released on May 17, 2013 in Europe and May 21, 2013 in the US.

<i>Angels of the Apocalypse</i> 2014 studio album by Avalon

Angels of the Apocalypse is the second full-length album by Timo Tolkki's Finnish metal opera project Avalon, released on May 16, 2014 in Europe and four days later in North America.

<i>The Enigma Birth</i> 2021 studio album by Avalon

The Enigma Birth is the fourth full-length album by Timo Tolkki's Finnish metal opera project Avalon, released on June 18, 2021.

References

  1. Avalon - The Land of New Hope on May 17th March 14, 2013. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. Grande Rock.
  2. Timo Tolkki returns. Frontiers Records. Retrieved on March 30, 2013.
  3. Mäenpää, Arto (18 June 2021). Exclusive: Timo Tolkki interview about "The Enigma Birth". Chaoszine. YouTube. Event occurs at 4:10. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  4. TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON: 'The Land Of New Hope' Details Revealed Blabbermouth.net. March 14, 2013. Retrieved on March 29, 2013.
  5. Nightangel (21 February 2013). "Exclusive Tobias Sammet (Avantasia) interview for Kiske Fanclub". Kiske Fanclub. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  6. Dean, Mark (23 March 2013). "Exclusive Interview with Tobias Sammet (Vocals) (Avantasia, Edguy)". My Global Mind. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  7. "Interview with Timo Tolkki". Metal Traveller. 11 May 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Launch of AVALON II". Avalon Opera.com. 5 October 2013. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  9. "First singer for Avalon II revealed!". Avalon Opera.com. 7 October 2013. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  10. 1 2 "Floor Jansen is the main vocalist on Avalon II, the album and European tour planned for May 2014". Avalon Opera.com. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  11. "Tuomo Lassila Videogreeting". Avalon Opera.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  12. "Keyboardist Antti Ikonen joins Avalon line up and the Recordings of the new Avalon album start". Avalon Opera.com. 22 November 2013. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  13. 1 2 "Timo Tolkki's Avalon reveals the album title and the rest of the cast". Timo Tolkki's Avalon official profile. Facebook. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  14. "TIMO TOLKki's New Album - AVALON - 'RETURN TO EDEN' to be Released 14th June | HEAVY Magazine". Archived from the original on 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  15. "TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON: 'Promises' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. April 23, 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  16. "TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON Announces New Album 'The Enigma Birth' Feat. JAMES LABRIE, FABIO LIONE". Blabbermouth.net. April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  17. "Ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". Ultratop . Archived from the original on 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  18. "Suomen Virallinen Lista". Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  19. "SwedishCharts.com: Avalon - The Land of New Hope - A Metal Opera page". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. 24 May 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  20. "Swiss Charts - Albums Top 100 02.06.2013 - swisscharts.com". Archived from the original on 2013-08-16. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  21. "Albumit 25/2021". Musiikkituottajat . Retrieved 27 June 2021.