Timo Tolkki's Avalon 3 - Return to Eden

Out June 14th.

Not sure what to think because the previous Avalon album BLEW LAMA BALLS. But the first album was still absolutely amazing. Perhaps fitting for Tolkki's bipolar mind to follow such an excellent record with a turd, but this is definitely not an instant purchase. Who knows how good it will be? Wait, it's 2019 so we can sample.

First cut off the new album comes with a video:



That's the Riot V singer. The other singers on the album are the always awesome Zak Stevens, Anneke von Giebersbergenburgen and some chick from Tristania.

If Todd is singing on this one, I am definitely in .

https://www.sonicperspectives.com/album-reviews/timo-tolkkis-avalon-return-to-eden/

A pretty glowing review. Anybody get this?

Zach being my favorite vocalist, this was a no brainer. Plus, I've always had a thing for Anneke, beautiful woman, beautiful voice! I'll need to give it some more listens but it my first impression was positive.

DallasBlack wrote:

Zach being my favorite vocalist, this was a no brainer. Plus, I've always had a thing for Anneke, beautiful woman, beautiful voice! I'll need to give it some more listens but it my first impression was positive.

I am glad to hear that. I will get my copy hopefully tomorrow. I understand this is a good one. Tolkki, when he is on, can write compelling melodies and some big hooks. And with an all-star lineup there's an awful lot of potential.

Worked great with the first Avalon CD. You have that one? Does it compare?

Lari wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

Zach being my favorite vocalist, this was a no brainer. Plus, I've always had a thing for Anneke, beautiful woman, beautiful voice! I'll need to give it some more listens but it my first impression was positive.

I am glad to hear that. I will get my copy hopefully tomorrow. I understand this is a good one. Tolkki, when he is on, can write compelling melodies and some big hooks. And with an all-star lineup there's an awful lot of potential.

Worked great with the first Avalon CD. You have that one? Does it compare?

On first listen, I'd say it's not quite at the level as the first one.

I listened to this in the car today. At least the production is good this time. Songs didn't immediately win me over, but there's potential. 

I'll listen with headphones tonight after the kids fall asleep. If they do fall asleep in good time... and that's been a problem. The twins (17 months) have stayed up till like 22:30 some days this week. 

I have a teetime 7:30 tomorrow morning, so I ain't staying up much past 23:00, no way. Avalon can wait.

This is a real good album. It's NOT a guitar album. The standout parts are the vocal melodies especially for verses. So good. Not a dull moment. I'm not a big chorus guy, so well-written interesting verses are big for me. I don't even like the Gathering, but Anneke von Gieberliebedich does a great job with every line, pretty much.

Having said that, Tolkki has an interesting guitar tone on this one. It doesn't say what he uses in the booklet and I'm not an expert on these things, but it's so far from the standard of what people (kids) use these days that it's fresh. It's not that generic heavy metal sound with the most dynamic amp. It's still modern and present, but leans towards early 90's clean less-distorted but more warm and echoey guitar sound. I don't know how to describe it, but there's that sharpness and distinction from the bass that gets blurred out too much nowadays. 

Oh, and the kids went to bed 22:10. About an hour ago Finnish time. I'm listening with my AKG reference headphones.

Zak and Todd carry a few songs well but Timo loses me with his writing. Felt that way with Strato to, a few good songs and some that lost me. He's a strange dude.

Dark Horseman wrote:

Zak and Todd carry a few songs well but Timo loses me with his writing. Felt that way with Strato to, a few good songs and some that lost me. He's a strange dude.

Yes, he is. For me there isn't a song here that I dislike, but he certainly wrote better music during the early years of Strato. IMO, his best recent work was the last Allen/Lande album. Then again, those songs are more simple than the ones on his other projects.

I think that's it, when he keeps it simple I enjoy it more.

I don't know what you guys are talking about. These are well-crafted songs. Pretty basic, really. Not progressive or symphonic.

Didn't say they were. Not sure how to describe it but I do enjoy the songs with Todd and Zak as they seem more straight ahead rock songs.

Video:



Slow motion Robert Langdon searches and finds a Stratovarius logo.