The plan was completely different, and it was born right after the September concert that concluded the tour promoting the previous album. The project led by Tobias Sammet – Avantasia played a great open-air concert in the Czech Havirovo. Besides, until now, the project could be associated as a festival creation. Imagine my surprise when, along with the announcements about the new album, Sammet announced a European tour and one of the concerts was to take place in the Czech Prague. I immediately booked the date and eagerly awaited the first sounds of the new album. In the meantime, however, the concerts as part of the tour started to sell out. I, on the other hand, changed my plans and decided to combine the concert in Tilburg with a visit to my family. So somewhere around the end of the year, it was decided. We will confront the new material live at Poppodium.
We arrived in Tilburg less than an hour before the concert, and we arrived at the venue about 40 minutes early. It was quite a shock for me how simple it turned out to find myself inside the hall filled with melodic metal fans. It turned out that the hall was brilliantly designed, in addition to the large space right in front of the stage, the Poppodium also has balconies, but also along the hall there are wide steps, which make it possible for fans standing at the back to stand higher and higher and also see everything. The perfect solution for someone of such unobtrusive height as the undersigned. I was really optimistic even before I heard the first sounds. And since the new album had been spinning in my player since the day of its premiere, I was convinced that the selection of repertoire would be satisfactory. I deliberately did not look at the set lists of previous concerts, so as not to spoil the surprise.
When the curtain fell and we heard the first riff of “Creepshow” from the speakers – I already knew that the sound would also be able to add to the superlatives of this event. Besides, this piece seems to have been created as an opener (apart from the lyrics, which are obvious). Unbelievable things were happening on the stage. First of all, there was the stage design, heavy gates, stairs, and space for musicians and the choir (this is very similar to the previous tour – but optimally). Then some fire and smoke… without unnecessary exaggeration. I admit that I have seen more impressive ones, but here everything somehow suited me. What delighted me, was the form in which the vocalists were that evening. First of all, the mastermind of the band, who took on his shoulders (throat) most of the parts – Sammet is in the form of his life! Then I was delighted with the roles that the vocalists sang as replacements. And here I have to admit that Karevik sang great the brilliant title track from the last album, replacing Geoff Tate, and he also surprised me in Jorn’s parts in „Wicked Symphony”. In general, I have to admit that since Tommy appeared permanently in Kamelot he has developed vocally (I say this objectively). By the way, I have to say that this track gave me a lot of joy. First of all, I did not expect it – secondly, Kenny Leckremo probably played the role of a lifetime, brilliantly performing phrases originally sung by Russell Allen. It is worth going to Avantasia concerts for such moments. I love this formula, when at each concert you can expect someone different in given parts (of course within certain reasonable limits). Besides, Kenny proved several times that he is not here by accident. His energy and enthusiasm were contagious. I was very happy that Eric Martin appeared on stage that evening and, on the one hand, he appeared in songs that I had already heard with him (even at the live-album), but there was no shortage of surprises. We found Ronnie Atkins in great shape, who had just sung „Let the storm descend upon you” together with Martin. Monstrous excitement for me! I have a similar comment about Karevik about Herbie Langhans. When he appeared in Firewind, I was not kind to him. But I have to say that the guy has developed over the past few years. And replacing Jorn in Avantasia, he is doing a great job. It’s unbelievable how he rocks. On the other hand, when I heard Adrienne Cowan in „Reach for the light” last year, I wasn’t thrilled. But on the one hand, I understood that not everyone can live up to Michael Kiske’s scale, and on the other hand, she has won my favor by appearing on the new album. The next great accent – “Toy Master” sung by Sammet, and started from the specially appointed throne, made a HUGE impression. The Alice Cooper atmosphere was simply in the air. Besides, “Death is just a feeling” also performed by Tobbie caused goosebumps not only on my neck – I saw delighted listeners all around. And a few seconds of “Gutter Ballet” played on the piano only heated up the Savatage fans.
This concert had everything I could have expected. Great sound system, visual impressions and a brilliant selection of repertoire. Yes, I am a lifelong fan of the project, but if I said that I felt unsatisfied because they did not play this or that song – I would be lying. We were blessed with such a selection of songs that this almost three-hour concert had to satisfy everyone. If it were not for family obligations – I would have gone to the second concert in Prague. But I will definitely not miss their next tour.
Piotr Spyra
