Avantasia – LIVE: Fryshuset Arenan 2010

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With the release of not one, but two Avantasia albums in early 2010, fans of Edguy front-man Tobias Sammet’s metal opera project were desperate for another tour after 2008′s limited trek proved to be so successful.

But many fans were left disappointed by the once again limited routing. Several countries, which would normally be guaranteed to be included in most tours, like the USA, Italy, England, France and Spain, were not lucky enough to get dates, while Germany got four, and will see them return for the Wacken Open-Air festival in 2011. Tobias explained shortly before the release of the albums that due to the lack of money in the music business now (mostly likely due in no small part to mp3s and the internet), they would very likely be the last Avantasia albums, and reiterated the sentiment when the tour was announced, stating that this would probably be the last time he would be able to afford to tour the project. It therefore wasn’t much of a surprise that the tour focused entirely on its biggest markets, which Sammet has a history of selling well.

Metal opera projects necessitate the legion of singers, and Sammet put together a pretty comprehensive, if unsurprising, touring line-up which included regular faces Jorn Lande, Amanda Somerville and Bob Catley, and one or two perhaps bigger attractions, including former Helloween band-mates Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen. With the tour being such a rarity the crowds at most of the shows turned out to be very cosmopolitan, and Stockholm, benefitting perhaps from being on a Sunday, was no different. Attracting interest from across Europe.

The rest of the line-up including many of Sammet’s long-time friends and collaborators. Edguy band-mate Felix Bohnke replaced Eric Singer behind the drumkit, the drum legend busy touring with Alice Cooper at the time, producer and guitar contributor Sascha Paeth joined Oliver Hartmann on guitars, Miro Rodenberg played keyboards, and Robert Hunecke-Rizzo on bass.

With no support on the whole tour Avantasia were expected to play for over two hours every night, and they did not disappoint, picking all of the most popular songs from the two new albums, and 2008′s The Scarecrow, with one or two now-regarded-as-classics from the first two albums, and spending approaching three hours on stage with the rotating cast of singers providing almost constant variety.

Sammet started out alone with the now familiar opener of Twisted Mind from The Scarecrow, running straight into that album’s title track and introducing Jorn Lande, who would remain on stage for the next two songs. He eventually gave way to Magnum singer Bob Catley for The Ain’t Over before probably the moment most fans with a little knowledge of metal history had been waiting for as Michael Kiske joined Tobi for Reach Out For The Light and The Tower. Kiske’s absence from metal has been heavily documented, and his absence from the stage even longer. Various guest appearances, including on the Avantasia albums, lead to the formation of his new band Unisonic with whom he made a live return in the Summer of 2010.

Kiske’s arrival did not disappoint with his legendary voice still obviously completely intact. He was followed by fellow former Helloween member Kai Hansen who sang Death Is Just A Feeling before leaving Sammet for his second solo spot on Lost In Space. Catley returned for In Quest For, before being joined by Lande for Runaway Train, the first song of the night to feature more than two singers, Sammet having been one of the two on every track so far. Kiske returned for Dying For An Angel before Sammet took a well-earned break, leaving Kiske to sing Stargazers with Lande and guitarist Oliver Hartmann, who stunned everyone with his own immaculate voice.

Sammet and Amanda Somerville then joined Kiske for Farewell, and then Sammet and Lande closed the set, with a little help from Hartmann, with The Wicked Symphony, the epic title track of one of the two new albums. After a breathless two hours so far the finalé would still not disappoint. Tobi returned after a short break with Kai Hansen in tow to nail a superb rendition of The Toy Master, a track which famously tempted Alice Cooper to participate on The Scarecrow. Hansen then fetched his guitar and remained for the final three songs, along with Kiske, marking the first tour since they parted ways from Helloween in the late 1980s that they had appeared on stage together.

Catley joined them for Shelter From The Rain, and again for a closing medley of Sign of The Cross and The Seven Angels, along with Lande, capping off 160 faltless minutes on stage which seemed to breeze past.

It will be a great shame if Tobi cannot afford such an expedition again, as this kind of show is what the rock ‘n’ roll live show was made for; a true spectacle. If this kind of thing could be what the industry focused on, instead of the very necessary lengths needed to stop the public stealing music for free, then perhaps this kind of show wouldn’t be such a rarity. The live arena needs the likes of Avantasia and the kind of dedication shown by Tobias Sammet.

“ a true spectacle ”

Setlist: Twisted Mind / The Scarecrow / Promised Land / Serpents In Paradise / The Story Ain’t Over / Reach Out For The Light / The Tower / Death Is Just A Feeling / Lost In Space / In Quest For / Runaway Train / Dying For An Angel / Stargazers / Farewell / The Wicked Symphony // The Toy Master / Shelter From The Rain / Avantasia / Sign of The Cross/The Seven Angels

Photo(s): Andy Lye

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2010, Gigs, Heavy Metal, Avantasia