Metal Opera [Import]

Metal Opera [Import]

Track Listings

1. Prelude

2. Reach Out For The Light

3. Serpents In Paradise

4. Malleus Maleficarum

5. Breaking Away

6. Farewell

7. The Glory Of Rome

8. In Nomine Patris

9. Avantasia

10. A New Dimension

11. Inside

12. Sign Of The Cross

13. The Tower

14. Avantasia (Edit Version) (Bonus Track For Japan)

15. The Final Sacrifice (Bonus Track For Japan)

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Asian edition of 2002 album with two bonus tracks, 'Avantasia' (Edit Version) & 'The Final Sacrifice'. Identical to Japanese but much cheaper! Seoul.

Metal Opera,Avantasia,Seoul Record,Heavy Metal

Ghost Opera
Average customer rating:

a great successor to black halo

Kamelot has created their own Metal Genre!

good but could be better

Missed their mark!

Well worth the money!!! Bogus DVD or not!

Ghost Opera
Kamelot
Manufacturer: Steamhammer/SPV
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Paradise Lost

Unia

Systematic Chaos

Systematic Chaos

The Black Halo

ASIN: B000PA9PMY
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

Solitaire
Rule The World
Ghost Opera
The Human Stain
Blücher
Love You To Death
Up Through The Ashes
Mourning Star
Silence Of The Darkness
Anthem
EdenEcho
The Pendulous Fall (bonus track)

Amazon.com

Kamelot's latest power metal offering seems unlikely to win the collective the kind of major attention its sought for more than a decade now. While vocalist Roy Khan still emits his signature siren wail and guitarist Thomas Youngblood crafts riffs that crunch with more power than your average fast food taco, the band still lacks a unique identity, alternating between its status as a Queensryche retread or vying for listeners more attuned to Korn and Avenged Sevenfold. "Rule the World" certainly stands as one of the outfit's heaviest works to date and "Mourning Star" carries with it its own kind of majestic beauty but repeat listens reveal that Ghost Opera is little more than by-the-numbers power metal, of the kind that didn't really work when Helloween released Keeper of the Seven Keys two decades ago and still fails to satisfy today.--Jedd Beaudoin

Album Description

American Melodic Metal masters Kamelot are back with the follow-up to their breakthrough epic The Black Halo. Ghost Opera is simply one of the most diverse metallic listening experiences of the year, containing all of the melody, power, passion and crunch that have earned them the undying respect of metal-heads around the country and around the world. The first pressing contains a bonus DVD featuring the video of Ghost Opera and a making of feature. Catch Kamelot on tour across North America late this summer!

Customer Reviews:

a great successor to black halo.......2007-07-31

The Black Halo is consistently one of my favorite albums. I was expecting to be let down by their next work. It's a bit different than their last album, but after several spins it has grown on me. I'll leave it to more capable reviewers to detail and contrast the albums. If you liked The Black Halo, then pick this up.

Kamelot has created their own Metal Genre!.......2007-07-27

Ghost Opera takes the band another step forward and now it seems with massive touring and videos that set a new standard the band is finally getting the recognition they so long have deserved. The new album experiments with several new ideas but somehow they never lose or abandoned their sound. The band has really created their own Genre since they sound like noone else!!

good but could be better.......2007-07-27

I have been a fan of Kamelot for five years now and this is far from thier best work. Don't get me wrong, the cd does grow on you the more you listen just like most of thier work. If you want to hear this band at the top of thier game i would suggest the forth legacy or karma.

Missed their mark!.......2007-07-26

Songs seem very repetitive. Also, has some rip-off "Phantom" music to create the ghostly effect. Khan needs to stop with the attempt at soft singing. His vibrato kills all of the ballad style singing and his voice sounds way over trained. I am all about great vocals and this album does a poor job of showcasing them. Khan can sing better than this. Lose the heavy vibrato. I am a Kamelot fan but the album left me wanting more. Maybe next time guys.

Well worth the money!!! Bogus DVD or not!.......2007-07-23

I REALLY like this album and am glad to see that Kamelot is continuing to evolve and mature. So many bands of this genre begin to get stagnant and eventually stale after every album begins to sound the same.

But I'm kind of conflicted as well due to one simple fact. I can think of many, many cases where a certain album by a band is a better album overall than it's predecessor, but that predecessor just happens to have that one single song that is better than anything on the newer release. Of course this is all personal opinion but two genre examples that quickly come to mind are Ozzy and Maiden.

I feel that Diary of a Madman is better overall than Blizzard of Oz though nothing on Diary quite equals the one-two punch of "Revelation (Mother Earth)" and "Steal Away the Night". And while I think Piece of Mind is superior to Number of the Beast overall, it doesn't have anything that tops the magnificent "Hallowed Be Thy name".

Ghost Opera is like this; while I think it's (slightly) better overall, I haven't heard anything that tops Black Halo's "March of Mephisto". But, reading the reviews, I see that many fans like Halo better overall anyway.

In any case, I really like "Rule the World", "Love you to Death", "Up Thru the Ashes", "Edenecho" and the bonus track "The Pendulous Fall". And, if the band continues to evolve in this way...I can't wait for the next one!! But I have to say the "bonus" DVD wasn't worth it, only 2 videos and one was a making of..., but, then again I haven't seen one yet that didn't come with the DVD so I wonder how much cheaper it would have been?

Now if they'd just come to Atlanta (or anywhere closer than a 10 hr drive) so I can go see them!!!! Because, judging by the "One Cold Winter's Night" DVD and what I'm hearing on Ghost Opera..... I'd sure like to!!!

Average customer rating:

A Night at the Opera is a Classic
king of queens
The album which forever immortalised Queen
Another Good one
On a desert island

A Night at the Opera
Queen
Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Day At The Races [+2 Remixed]
News of the World
Sheer Heart Attack
Queen II
Jazz

ASIN: B000000OAN
Release Date: 1991-09-03

Tracks:

Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To...)
Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon
I'm In Love With My Car
You're My Best Friend
'39
Sweet Lady
Seaside Rendezous
The Prophet's Song
Love Of My Life
Good Company
Bohemian Rhapsody
God Save The Queen
I'm In Love With My Car (Remix)
You're My Best Friend (Remix)

Amazon.com essential recording

Nothing succeeds like excess--at least that's the case with Queen's breakthrough classic, A Night at the Opera. On one level, the title is a reference to the band's operatic pretensions, best in evidence here on the classic "Bohemian Rhapsody," which was championed by headbangers a generation before being revived by the Wayne's World set. Of course, A Night at the Opera was also the title of a Marx Brothers movie, and the reference isn't lost on Queen, who seldom scaled the heights of pomprock without a knowing wink. The album is remembered for its meticulously produced bombast, but the truth is that there's a wide variety of material here, from the gorgeous piano-based "You're My Best Friend" and the McCartneyesque "39" to the music-hall-style "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon" and the pedal-to-the-metal rockers "Death on Two Legs" and "I'm in Love with My Car." A Night at the Opera is viewed by most as the quintessential Queen album, and justifiably so. --Daniel Durchholz

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Limited Edition LP Style Slipcase for Initial Pressing Only.

Customer Reviews:

A Night at the Opera is a Classic.......2007-07-30

If you like Queen, this is a great album, especially if you want the song, Bohemian Rhapsody. Many of Queen's greatest hits' album's don't include that song. I bought the record album in the 70's and wanted to upgrade to the CD.

king of queens.......2007-07-29

I'm not a Queen fan because Mercury's style sometimes rubs me the wrong way. Sometimes his vocal range quickly rears off in a completely different direction while singing what appears to be a straight-forward vocal melody, and it's hard for me to adjust to that style. However, I really like A Night at the Opera. Everybody knows "Bohemian Rhapsody". It's been played over and over a million times on classic rock radio. It's been played so many times for a very good reason- it's a great song. Any complaints I might have with Freddy disappear whenever this song comes on. A lot of people mention the rocking section as being their particular favorite moment. I agree!

I really like "39". Very demanding beat to a very pleasant vocal melody. That's what the song is all about. "You're My Best Friend" is another highlight. An innocent, yet highly memorable little tune. "I'm In Love With My Car" always reminded me of Roger Daltrey from the Who. I kept wondering "Why can't I find this lost Who song on a search engine?" It's because the song is by Queen! "Death on Two Legs" is another memorable track that many people probably don't even realize they do in fact know the song, and know it well.

Overall, there's no problems with this album. It's a really solid album.

The album which forever immortalised Queen.......2007-06-16

A Night At The Opera (1975.), Queen's fourth studio album

Throughout their career, Queen would always challenge themselves musically and would create a musical spectacle that would win over millions of fans. The band were especially innovative in their early career; powering out a blistering hard-rocking debut with `Queen I' and experimenting with more progressive ideas in `Queen II'. With their third release, `Sheer Heart Attack', the band got everything together to produce a `70's classic. However, the musical train definitely didn't stop there as a year later Queen released `A Night At The Opera'; an album you just may have heard quite a lot of press about over the past 30 or so years...

...Indeed, as most reviewers for this album will have stated, this is a seminal hard rock classic and in many ways marks a creative peak in the great career which Queen enjoyed. The album, filled with operatic harmonies and memorable tunes has influenced countless other bands down the years and across the genres. At a first listen, this album strikes you as a crazy operatic charade and in many ways it is! Queen here create an album which is based on the theme of an opera performance with all the crazy twists and turns thrown in. However it works brilliantly and is a truly innovative display that also rocks hard (in some parts at least!). An argument I've often heard with this album is that the whole thing is only made coherant by the one song `Bohemian Rhapsody'. Many agree that the song is the centrepiece of the album. However, I would not hesitate to say that a large number of the tracks stand up on their own two feet. Tracks like `Death On Two Legs' and `You're My Best Friend' are timeless classics in their own right. All in all, `A Night At The Opera' is definitive Queen; there is the pomp, excess, craziness and creative genius all fully featured on this disc. The album also marks a continuation of each member of the band contributing their own material. Brian May's compositions make up the more guitar driven works on the album such as `Sweet Lady' whilst Freddie Mercury contributes the more operatic and quirky songs such as `Seaside Rendezvous', `Love Of My Life' and not to mention the all time famous `Bohemian Rhapsody'. Roger Taylor and John Deacon also leave a clear statement on the album too.

`Death On Two Legs' opens this great album. This is one of Queen's best album openers and one of their best songs, period. Written as a cynical tribute to their previous band manager, Freddie Mercury spews venom in the lyrics in an amusing fashion over some great guitar harmonies and melodies from May. The grand piano work, which is synonymous with early Queen is there as well in this blistering opener too. `Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon' is next; a catchy one minute song with some amusing lyrics. There is more piano and overblown guitar lines and as a listener you can feel the operatic stylings in the album building. Then, enter Roger Taylor for `I'm In Love With My Car'. I've always been a big fan of the Roger Taylor songs in the Queen catalogue and this one is no exception. This song rocks hard and Taylor gives a great vocal performance, expressing his love for his car. `You're My Best Friend' is a beautiful song; John Deacon, the quiet man of the band really pulls out the stops in this song of his. A timeless Queen classic, the keyboards work a treat and Freddie Mercury delivers some fantastic emotive vocals. `'39' is an excellent semi-acoustic song about a couple being split up due to the beginning of World War II. `Sweet Lady' is another really cool song. With it's waltz like rocking guitar riff and strong vocals, this is a strong closer to the first half of the album.

`Seaside Rondezvous' keeps the operatic nature of the album going. The song has the excess and hilarity which a number of the tracks on the album exhibit and it again works a treat. `The Prophet's Song' is the epic of the album, clocking in at 8 minutes. Here we see what the sound Queen pioneered is all about, there are vocal harmonies and operatic squeals galore in this one. Although the track is a littel drawn out in parts, there is no denying the significance of this particular song. `Love Of My Life' is a Queen fan favourite; a calm and serene song, Freddie gives another brilliant vocal performance in this excellent ballad. `Good Company' is another amusing song, this time a Brian May composition. May performs the vocals and plays the ukelele to create a unique sounding song which I personally think is great. Next is a track I need not say too much about. `Bohemian Rhapsody' is a track everyone knows, whether you know this album or not - it is 6 minutes of pure craziness and genius. For it's time, it was the most expensive single ever made - the number of vocal layers on this song show this. Following this masterpiece, the album closes with Brian May rockin' out to the tune of `God Save The Queen'. Again we see the opera theme and Queen's joking around it, as operas traditionally had the song played at them after a performance.

`A Night At The Opera' is definitive Queen. If you want a showcase of what Queen is all about then this is the album to get hold of. The vast praise this album has been given over the years is completely deserved and this album is a milestone album in music. `A Night At The Opera' has aged extremely well and as aware as everyone is that this album dates back to '75, it still sounds fresh and lively. This album and it's predecessor `Sheer Heart Attack', for me marked the creative peak for Queen. This album is a must for any rock fans collection or for any fan of great music in general.

MY RATING: 9.5/10

Another Good one.......2007-05-23

Another versitile recording showing their mastery as muscians and artists. Their hit "You're My Best Friend" is just the tip of the iceburg when it comes to their ability to write just about any kind of music.

On a desert island.......2007-03-30

If I were stuck on a desert island and could only have 10 cds to listen to for the rest of my life, this would be one of them.

A Night at the Opera (30th Anniversary Coll. Ed) [CD/DVD Combo]

Average customer rating:

Incredible album, Phenomenal DVD
Stunning Surround Sound
More and better than I expected.
Perfectionism, Shmerfectionism
The apex of theatrical rock

A Night at the Opera (30th Anniversary Coll. Ed) [CD/DVD Combo]
Queen
Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classic Albums - Queen: The Making of A Night at the Opera
Queen + Paul Rodgers - Return of the Champions
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Return Of The Champions
A Day At The Races [+2 Remixed]

ASIN: B000BLI3WK
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Tracks:

Death On Two Legs
Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon
I'm In Love With My Car
You're My Best Friend
'39
Sweet Lady
Seaside Rendezvous
The Prophet's Song
Love Of My Life
Good Company
Bohemian Rhapsody
God Save The Queen

Amazon.com essential recording

Album Description

A landmark release, this special edition features both the new CD and DVD formats of the album completely restored from original analogue tapes and digitally re-mastered by Bob Ludwig, in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound. As well as the original 1975 videos for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'You're My Best Friend', the DVD also contains brand new video footage for the other 10 tracks, along with archive audio commentary from all four members of Queen, including the late Freddie Mercury.

As Queen guitarist Brian May explains in the new liner notes: "Months of craftsmanship by true perfectionists have gone into wringing every ounce out of the original master recordings and into this hitherto unequalled 'high definition' domain. Never has the recording been so carefully balanced, so carefully cleansed of clicks and pops from so many sources, some of which were even present on the original mix master tapes. In the stereo sound on this DVD, every nuance of the analogue character of these human-made mixes is more faithfully reproduced here than ever before. In addition, for the surround track, a whole set of 5.1 mixes has been created from microscopically accurate digital sound files, mirroring the original multitrack tapes. For the first time this includes a new surround mix of the final track 'God Save the Queen', and some improvements to the surround mixes previously issued to a small audience on the DTS DVD-Audio release."

May continues: "This DVD also features for the first time visuals for every track on the album some, like the original 'Bohemian Rhapsody' video, carefully digitally restored and re-graded, and some, like the stunning new video for 'Good Company', created especially for this release. There are also some special commentaries, ancient and modern, from all four Queen members on facets of the tracks, and... yes, this is quite simply the best 'Night At The Opera' ever produced. I doubt if it can ever be bettered!"

Customer Reviews:

Incredible album, Phenomenal DVD.......2007-07-10

This is THE Queen album. If you have a 5.1+ surround system, you need this! The new mixes by Brian May are incredibly rich, and sound huge. The many layers of sound that Queen were famous for are now cascaded across all channels, bringing out every careful detail and nuance. The DVD images aren't bad, with mixtures of videos, stills, and live footage, but the audio is where it really shines.

Stunning Surround Sound.......2007-05-12

I wasn't sure whether I should buy this version or not. I already had an earlier version in my collection but rave reviews, and the fact that A Night at the Opera is among my favorites through the years, convinced me to buy this updated version.

The re-mastering job on the CD version is great. The sound on the DVD version is, however, nothing less than stunning. The intro of Death on Two Legs gives an indication what is in store. When the drums roar during the chorus in the back speakers, there is no question about it, this is a bonanza sound experience. Most of the album sound wise is a roller coaster ride and with the great music accompanying it, this is a most buy.

The videos are mostly old Queen live footage, plus the videos originally shot for the singles. Some reviewers have given negative remarks about them but despite some problems with sound and sight being out of sync, I find the outcome being as good as it can be considering the limited options. God Save the Queen, with recent Brian May footage during the beginning and at the end Freddie walking of stage, is a very fitting finale of this set.

The packaging is extravagant, exemplifying the great detail put into this re-release. Much pride is inherent in this set and I recommend buying it, even if one may own an older version.

More and better than I expected........2007-03-08

I rarely give out a 5* rating and my expectations were not set very high for this, I can't count how many remastered recordings that I've purchased that turned out to be not much more than just a simple reissue. This one surprised me.
The 5.1 mixes on the DVD really do these amazing works justice. The surround mix enhances the songs without distracting from them. The quiet passages are almost completely quiet without the old tape hiss and the dynamic range seems to be opened up some all without sounding artificial or subtracting from the music in any way.
I've had this album on vinyl, Mobile Fidelity Labs vinyl and CD and this release handily tops all of them. You will not be disappointed.

Perfectionism, Shmerfectionism.......2006-09-17

I bought this not so much for the remastered CD but for the (I thought) DVD-Audio. And that for the stereo, not the 5.1 (since I don't have a surround system yet). However, it turns out the stereo DVD mix isn't "DVD-Audio". At least, the corresponding indicator LED doesn't light up on my playback deck. The packaging says it's 24-bit and the DTS logo indicates 96KHz but I suspect the sample rate is lower than 96.

The bottom line? The remastered CD sounds better than the stereo DVD program. The good news, I suppose, is that the remastered CD is very impressive indeed, sound-wise. As several other reviewers have opined, it may be the very best remastered Redbook audio rock CD out there (although I'd be curious to know how many are familiar with the Bob Marley Tuff Gong Definitive Remasters -- these are top-notch also).

Another quibble I have is the typo in the first sentence of Brian May's text printed on the right inside panel: "extravagent" for "extravagant". He mentions the "true perfectionists" who labored for months on the audio... unfortunately the graphics design team weren't afflicted with a similar perfectionism. A small thing that nevertheless compromises the integrity of the whole package. (Don't the record companies employ capable proofreaders? The recently-remastered Who Sell Out also features an embarrassing typo, "persperation" for "perspiration". The original cover had it right, go figure.)

The videos? I can take 'em or leave 'em. And since the stereo DVD mix isn't high-res as I thought, I doubt I'll listen to anything but the CD until such time as I get a surround system.

The apex of theatrical rock.......2006-08-07

Out of all the "theater rock" bands Queen is probably the best but should any self respecting man ever utter the phrase "Scaramouche, Scaramouche will you do the fandango?" Probably not.

Come now, how can this not be helpful to you. All I'm asking you to do is think. Imagine Lightnin' Hopkins singing "Scaramouche, Scaramouche will you do the fandango?" Imagine Bob Dylan doing it. Or James Brown. Or The Beatles. Or The Stones. Or Van Morrison. Impossible, right? Are you starting to understand now?

Look, Queen ain't bad. They're just far from the best, that's all. Three stars is right on the nose.

Average customer rating:

TURN YOUR HEAD AND SEE THE FIELDS OF FLAME
truly amazing
Great fast german power metal at its finest
EXCELLENT
Perfect combination of talent and ambition

A Night at the Opera
Blind Guardian
Manufacturer: Century Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Nightfall in Middle-Earth
Imaginations From the Other Side
Tales from the Twilight World
Somewhere Far Beyond
Demons & Wizards

ASIN: B000062Y98
Release Date: 2002-03-19

Tracks:

Precious Jerusalem
Battlefield
Under The Ice
Sadly Sings Destiny
The Maiden and The Minstrel Knight
Wait For An Answer
The Soulforged
Age Of False Innocence
Punishment Divine
And Then There Was Silence
Mies Del Dolor

Album Description

This monumental album was in the writing stages for over two years and the band spent the better part of 2001 in the studio recording it. Featuring some of the most majestic and ambitious metal compositions ever recorded. Includes the bonus track 'Mies Del Dolor' not available on the import version. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

TURN YOUR HEAD AND SEE THE FIELDS OF FLAME.......2007-04-23

Reams of time and energy were expended on putting _A Night at the Opera_ toghether, more so than is common for anything in the class of power metal. For the most part, it certainly shows. Blind Guardian's writing is so sophisticated that few bands match their acumen, and the attention afforded this release is certainly to their benefit.

At least for the most part. The production is perhaps the only nagging flaw in this otherwise pristine work of typical Blind Guardian awesomeness. I miss Flemming Rasmussen's unmatched production for _Imaginations from the Other Side_ and _Nightfall in Middle-Earth_. People like the rag the poor guy because he `butchered' Metallica's _...And Justice for All_ (allegedly), but Blind Guardian was never better served. Although there are vastly more vocals on display here, peaking with the 100+ vocal tracks on "And Then There Was Silence", Rasmussen's production still managed to give the massive choral onslaughts more `oomph.' When the choruses kick in on songs like "Into the Storm", "Script from My Requiem", or "Imaginations from the Other Side", it's like a punch in the gut -- there might as well be a hundred men singing those lines. Here on _A Night at the Opera_, the overall sound seems softer and choruses lack the same explosive effect.

This should not be too emphasized, for there might be an element of relativity given the sheer amount of vocals on this album. Hansi's voice is rarely heard alone, usually backed by multitracked vocal armies, which hits the peak of intensity on "And Then There Was Silence", Blind Guardian's best song brimming with fifteen minutes of choral exclamations and orchestral guitar arrangements. The other songs are of the usual BG standard, with the ethic of not repeating anything unless it is rearranged or given different inflection repeated on a grander scale. In bringing their music an even greater degree of enormity, Blind Guardian cranks the amount of solemn drama which gives their music such addictive qualities. And since _Imaginations..._, Blind Guardian has been progressively mastering their inventive construction of song structures using various tempos, arrangements, and melodic twists. Also, where the biggest shining point of Blind Guardian songs is almost invariably the choruses, almost more exciting here is not the chorus themselves, but how the choruses are arrived at through sweeping vocals, weaving metal scales and distorted crunch.

This is a masterful album, and judging by the subsequent release _A Twist in the Myth_, executed at a scale we might not see again. Enjoy it!

truly amazing.......2007-04-08

my friend pointed this band out to me a while ago, and i am glad he did, this is one of the most amazing bands i have heard in a long time. great musicianship shines throughout this album. and in my opinion this is their best album. nightfall on middle earth was also a great album but i think this one is just a little bit better. every song on this album shines and is like a symphony of awesomeness flowing through my ears. the best songs on the album are definatly battle field and the epic monster that is one minute of silence.

trust me on this folks. if you are a fan of any type of metal you need to get not just cd but all the cds this band has put out. these guys are the reigning champs of power metal.

Great fast german power metal at its finest.......2007-03-30

Well I have recently just purchased this album and after listing to all of it, I must say it was well worth the time. This surely was a masterpiece; from it's shredding guitars and guitar solos to the incredible bone crunching drumming, to the fast nearly insane keyboards; you can tell they have spent a great amount of time composing this album, not only musically but lyrically as well. The songs tell a story of wonder and might that is a great thing to hear.

Now on to my top five favorite songs:

5.)"battlefield" - 9/10 Great song very upbeat and the lyrics great too.

4.)"precious Jerusalem" - 9/10 Awesome well thought lyrics and a great chorus make this one of my favorites.

3.)"Punishment Divine" - 9/10 A great song, with very poetic lyrics, over-all good riffs, nice drumming, and good vocals, plus a mind-boggling chorus, that thrusts you back into a time where dragons needed slaying and maidens needed rescuing.

2.)"Soulforged" - 9.5 /10 Now this song is blazing fast at times, soothingly slow at others and has the BEST verse in my opinion of any blind guardian song. Truly a shining jewel of wonderment.

1.)"Sadly Sings Destiny" - 10/10 Now on to my favorite song on Night at the Opera, "Sadly Sings Destiny". This superb song combines ferocious guitar and keyboard work, along with thought provoking lyrics, an even better chorus than "Soulforged", and near perfect power metal vocals, making this one of the best power metal songs, NAY albums ever made.

And i must say, it was a real pleasure to hear it. So i ask of you, please treat yourself to a one of a kind experience and purchase this album, you surely will not be disappointed.

EXCELLENT.......2006-12-30

THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS I'VE HEARD IN MY LIFE. I ESPECIALLY LIKE "UNDER THE ICE". DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND A VIDEO (IF THERE IS ONE)?

Perfect combination of talent and ambition.......2006-10-16

A Night at the Opera is easily Blind Guardian's most ambitious and controversial album to date. Sure, you see a lot of 4 and 5-star reviews here recently, but when this album was released in 2002 the reception was a bit less enthusiastic. This is due in some part to the fact that a Night at the Opera had the unenviable task of following up Blind Guardian's career-defining 1998 epic Nightfall in Middle Earth. For those expecting Nightfall Part II, the wall of sound that is a Night at the Opera must have come as quite a shock!

With this album, Blind Guardian did what all good bands are supposed to do - they matured and progressed. Instead of resting on their well-deserved laurels, the band went to work incorporating new elements to their sound. The trademark Blind Guardian's epic power metal sound is still intact, but the emphasis this time around is on more orchestral arrangements and a much greater use of vocal tracks. As suggested by the album's title, the band was heavily influenced by Queen. Think "Bohemian Rhapsody" applied to a power metal album and you get the general idea.

A Night at the Opera has a big BIG sound. I can absolutely see how it would throw listeners off at first, but if given the chance the songs here have a way of creeping into your head and taking root. They are, as usual, based on fantasy, history, mythology and folklore, and once again the band manages to cover this kind of subject matter without getting too cheesy, unlike a certain other band I will not name here (OK, it's Rhapsody).

This is a remarkably solid album with few, if any, weak moments. There are plenty of strong songs to choose from, but the obvious standout is the epic 14-minute "And Then There Was Silence." This song represents the character of the whole album. If you love the song, you'll love the album. If you think it's too complicated, pretentious, or grandiose, then you're probably not going to be a fan of the album. Personally, I think it's just complicated and grandiose enough to make it the best Blind Guardian song ever. This is the best example of a truly great band challenging themselves to outdo their previous achievements.

Once again, Blind Guardian has released an excellent album that showcases their talents as well as their ambition, and has proven again why they are the absolute best power metal band in the world.

Average customer rating:

The Ghosts are in your memory!
A COLD, NEEDLE SPRAY SHOWER ON A HOT SUMMER'S DAY
For musical masochists only
This is the Avant Gard kind of Kronos that i can't get into so much
Cats yowling

Ghost Opera
Joan Jeanrenaud , Dun Tan , Kronos Quartet , David Harrington , Hank Dutt , John Sherba , and Wu-Man Zheng
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Water Passion After St Matthew
Symphony 1997
Bitter Love
Tan Dun: Out of Peking Opera, for Solo Violin & Orchestra / Death & Fire, Dialogue with Paul Klee / Orchestral Theatre II: Re, for Divided Orchestra, Bass Voice & Audience with Two Conductors
Hero

ASIN: B000005J4K
Release Date: 1997-03-18

Tracks:

Ghost Opera For String Quartet And Pipa With Water, Stones, Paper, And Metal: Act I: Bach, Monks, And Shakespeare Meet In Water
Ghost Opera For String Quartet And Pipa With Water, Stones, Paper, And Metal: Act II: Earth Dance
Ghost Opera For String Quartet And Pipa With Water, Stones, Paper, And Metal: Act III: Dialogue With 'Little Cabbage'
Ghost Opera For String Quartet And Pipa With Water, Stones, Paper, And Metal: Act IV: Metal And Stone
Ghost Opera For String Quartet And Pipa With Water, Stones, Paper, And Metal: Act V: Song oOf Paper

Customer Reviews:

The Ghosts are in your memory!.......2007-02-23

Three disclaimers to start my review:
1. I like Avant-Grade/Experiental music.
2. I adore Chinese music!
3. I generally do NOT like Tan Dun's music.
That said, I have listened through Tan Dun's "Ghost Opera" five times in a row since I purchased it. To neatly pigeonhole it, the music is experimental, multi-cultural and for lack of a better term, "post modern." Tan Dun is one of the best-known representatives of the "Sent Down"/"New Wave" generation of composers. (Others include the CHEN Yi, ZHOU Long, CHEN Qigang, HE Xiantian and GUO Wenjing). Growing up during the Cultural Revolution, these young men and women were sent into China's hinterlands both to represent the revolutionary values of the Party and to share in the experiences of the peasants first hand. These musically gifted teenagers absorbed - and several of them catalogued and transcribed -hundreds of folk songs. When the Cultural Revolution ended, this same group was among the first students admitted to China's newly re-opened conservatories and universities and were the first to have exposure to the modern music of the west.
TAN Dun is certainly more fortunate than most of his generation, is better marketed and is a bit of a musical chameleon in comparison. His scores for Hero, Crouching Tiger and most recently The Banquet are very different from his "concert" music. Yet there are similarities. What sounds audacious in a concert is perfectly suitable in a soundtrack for a epic martial arts film.

I do not know if TAN Dun would agree, but upon my listening to this piece, I found that the "Ghosts" alluded to in the title are indeed, the Ghosts of Memory. Passages of Bach weave in and out of textures generated both by natural sounds (TAN's signature use of water sounds...), traditional Chinese gestures (brilliantly performed by WU Man on the Pipa) and extended playing techniques from the Kronos Quartet. The use of the voice - often in hushed whispers or fragmentary vocalizations - is ANYTHING but jarring. To even suggest that this music may have been influenced by Peking Opera is ill-informed. This music sounds more like George Crumb at his most "oriental", poetic and dream-like rather than anything you'd ever hear in Chinatown.
FINAL WORDS: While not a fan of this composer, I found the music poetic, creatively scored, brilliantly performed, at times quite beautiful and profoundly sad. To the ignoramus who likened this to Kabuki, well, first off Kabuki is JAPANESE! This composer is from CHINA! I think there is a difference! And whoever heard "yowling"... what were YOU listening to? JEESH!

A COLD, NEEDLE SPRAY SHOWER ON A HOT SUMMER'S DAY.......2007-02-09

I'm fortunate because I brought to the first hearing of Tan Dun's GHOST OPERA, a love of string quartette music; a love of percussion music of all kinds; Cinese Opera music, as well as contemporary Avant-Guard compositions that incorporate drumming, strings and mixed sounds, including voice. Coming to GHOST OPERA with wide listening experience, allowed me to focus on the limited numbe and t ypes of instruments used, as well as on the non-instruments used to produce music, and to focus on the way these sources were chosen to form patterns. I did not expect melodies, and did not feel the need for them, yet when they came, though they very seldom appeared, I found I could enjoy them as arbitrary choices on the composer's palate.

There are five sectins in this GHOST OPER. Myself, I did not find the titles of these pieces anything other than irrelevant. The music, overall, is abstract, and nearly impossible to describe.

All in all, if you enjoy to experience something very different from the usual, the hackneyed, this piece has much to offer. As a piece of chamber music it has everyting one hopes for; it is intimate, spare, compelling, dramatic, comic sometimes, and always demanding or challenging. It is ear candy, both sweet and sour -- a prickly confection -- and wuld sit well on a program with the latter Bartok quartets, or some Schoenberg or Berg equivalent. (German elecronic music of the 70s might appear more human, beside it.) The difference would be, perhaps, that whereas European quartets would be expected to sound well in an enclosed space or room, this (augmented) quartet suggests an enclosed space open to the sky. A garden, you see. Something to be played and listened to in a pavilion. This is music to clean the palate, so to speak; to scrape off of one's organs of perception, the mucus of the ordinary; the common place. This piece, like others of his pieces, help one experience the present more vividly.

For musical masochists only.......2006-04-03

CD's that I don't care for go into the charity box. This is one that went straight into the garbage (but I can always re-use the jewel case)

This is the Avant Gard kind of Kronos that i can't get into so much.......2005-09-18

i LOVE Kronos Quartet...got the chance recently to see them live performing "again" with Wu Man..doing a Terry Riley piece which put me into heaven, i didn't want them to stop, and didn't want to leave...therefore why wouldn't i wan't to hear some other work of theirs with Wu Man, and a composer whose movie music i've liked...
well it didn't pan out so well for my feeble brain, it's cute, it's crazy, it might be great to see live (or on the DVD of them), but it's not something i can listen to frequently, as background music...guess i like their more accessible stuff..Nuevo, Caravan, Pieces of Africa, etc.

Cats yowling.......2005-09-11

I don't care for this particular style of japanese music. It reminds me of something I saw called kabuki, a sort of opera. I would not have bought it knowing what I know now.

Average customer rating:

A Brilliant Update...
Circus madness

Two Penny Opera
Tiger Lillies
Manufacturer: Misery Guts Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Sea
The Gorey End
Shockheaded Peter and Other Songs from the Tiger Lillies
Death and the Bible
Farmyard Filth

ASIN: B0002TX9SY
Release Date: 2006-03-31

Tracks:

Moon Over Soho
Why (Mackie's Childhood Song)
Piss on Your Grave
My Daughter
Mary
Wedding Song
Police
Bastard
Money
Depends on Baby
Fisheads
Darling
Hang Tomorrow
Your Suicides
Bitch
Wise
Twenty Five Minutes
Finale
Divine

Customer Reviews:

A Brilliant Update..........2007-05-24

It's no secret that "Two Penny Opera," by The Tiger Lillies, is based on Kurt Weill's "Die Dreigroschenoper" (Threepenny Opera). However, this is not simply a strict translation dressed up in modern rags. Instead, Martyn Jaucques and co. bring the tale of Mackie into the modern age by looking back. A fine example is the stunning opener "Moon Over Soho," whic is a startling rendition of the famed "Mack the Knife" piece. Instead of translating it line for line, The Tiger Lillies strip down the strucure and give it a complete makeover, so much that those already familiar with the original song may not immediately recognize it at first. This is followed by four of what may be some of the finest pieces in the Tiger Lillies canon. "Piss On Your Grave" especially, is a hilarious track that is presented form the viewpoint of Mackie, as he details the various iconic figures that he has murdered "in exactly the same way." Later in the album, the Tiger Lillies present an inspired cover of "Twenty-Five Minutes," to both comic and horrifying effect.

This album is not for the faint of heat, nor is for the easily offended. However, this IS both a brilliant restructuring of "Die Dreigroschenoper" and a beautiful, hilarious and horrifying work of high art.

Circus madness.......2007-05-08

This is one of my favorite records ever - if you like carny,side show ,circus and Oliver Twist like atmospheres with a great dab of black humour this is a must have!

Average customer rating:

"Tonight, She Grins Again"
Perhaps We'll All Find the Answers Somewhere in Time
Streets: A Rock Opera
Rock da melhor qualidade
Streets: A Rock Opera

Streets: A Rock Opera
Savatage
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Gutter Ballet
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Dead Winter Dead
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The Wake of Magellan

ASIN: B000002IS7
Release Date: 1991-10-15

Tracks:

Streets
Jesus Saves
Tonight He Grins Again/Strange Reality
Strange Reality
A Little Too Far
You're Alive
Sammy And Tex
St. Patrick's
Can You Hear Me Now?
New York City Don't Mean Nothing
Ghost In The Ruins
If I Go Away
Agony And Ecstasy
Heal My Soul
Somewhere In Time
Believe

Customer Reviews:

"Tonight, She Grins Again".......2007-06-17

...after listening to this album for the umpeenth time. Streets has truly become one of my 'stranded on an island' discs. There isn't a dull song among the bunch and it just gets better every time I listen to it.

I will not bore you by reiterating the albums' story line that everyone else here has posted, but I will say that this is quite possibly one of the most brilliantly written concept albums, ever. Not to mention one of Sav's best. (Dead Winter Dead only comes close). It's an emotional story that I'll bet every one of us, in some way or another can actually relate to. It speaks to the human existence on so many levels.

Structurally speaking, the music is a symbiosis of hard rock/thrash backed with a well-orchestrated sypmphony of brass instruments and well-arranged piano solos, played by none other than the great Jon Oliva. Criss plays some amazing albeit haunting guitar solos here as well. All in all, the arrangements make for one quite emotional experience, indeed. To give you a better idea, albums such as this and Dead Winter Dead are what set the stage for what will eventually become TSO. (Although, Oliva denounces having any part of that)... Obviously the inspiration was there, however.

Perhaps We'll All Find the Answers Somewhere in Time.......2007-04-17

DT (short for Downtown Jesus) was a drug dealer in NYC before he became a rock star. But the hard-rockin' life had taken its toll on DT, and he'd fallen on hard times. So one summer night he decided to go cold turkey and set out into the New York City night to search for meaning in his life. What he found was tragedy, anger, sorrow, doubt, regret, despair, hope, love, and, ultimately, redemption.

That, in a nutshell, is the plot of Savatage's STREETS: A ROCK OPERA. When an album has the term "rock opera" right there in the title, you can probably assume the contents are going to be a little bombastic; and that wouldn't be an unwise assumption here. Don't get me wrong, Savatage is a metal band (with a name like that they'd almost have to be), and STREETS is indeed a metal album. But the kind of metal that kicks off with an excerpt from Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE, the kind of metal couched in grandiose theatrics and lots of piano and vocal harmonies - metal with an eye toward Broadway. Progressive metal, if you will. It shouldn't be surprising then that part of this album was originally conceived by producer/songwriter Paul O'Neill as part of an unfinished Broadway musical - not unlike Jim Steinman's Neverland. Big, highly-wrought ballads ("A Little Too Far", "If I Go Away", "New York City Don't Mean Nothing") share space with raging rockers ("Jesus Saves", "Sammy & Tex", "You're Alive"), and between the two groups of songs there's not a genuinely weak spot on the album.

But as with any album, I have my favourites, of course. The opening title track sets up the epic, slightly distorted world of the album magnificently, and "Tonight He Grins Again" and "Agony & Ecstasy" are both wonderfully dark bits of melodic metal. I have to admit though, by and large the ballads are the highlights for me, perhaps because they sound the most like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, with their soaring choruses and Jon Oliva's prominent piano lines. Of these, "St. Patrick's", which finds our hero in the cathedral in NYC doubting the existence of a God, is a truly powerful statement. On the flip side of that coin, the final trilogy - "Heal My Soul" (set to the tune of an old Welsh lullaby), "Somewhere in Time", and the sublime "Believe" - are absolutely life-affirming.

While STREETS' storyline is clear throughout the album, what's surprising is that, unlike so many rock operas, the music doesn't suffer to accomodate it, or vice-versa. It's a simple story, but not too simple or vague; there's no narrative padding or inconsequential linking tracks; and by the time the album ends, you really do feel as if you've experienced something big. Jon Oliva's dramatic vocals, while they might take some getting used to, are very well suited to the music (though I can't help but think of his role as Mephistopheles on BEETHOVEN'S LAST NIGHT) and the band plays great - especially guitarist Criss Oliva, Jon's brother, who's equally at home spinning out heavy metal pyrotechnics and heart-rending solos.

I inspected Savatage on the strength of Jon Oliva and Paul O'Neill's (brilliant) side-project the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and unsurprisingly STREETS has turned out to be an album and Savatage a band I think I'll find myself returning to quite a bit in the future.

Streets: A Rock Opera.......2007-04-04

This album is not one of the best Savatage albums. It has some good songs on it but what lets it down is the fact that the overall sound isn't that good. Also after reading the inside of the CD inlay the description of the story is too long, just reading the lyrics is good enough to catch the story.

And the track listing is a little confusing as it says that some songs are on the same track when after putting it into the PC it or listening to it on a CD player it becomes apparent that this is not the case.

However, for any Savatage fan this is a must if only to listen to the legendary Criss Oliva. Rock In Peace.

Rock da melhor qualidade.......2007-02-22

O album registra um ótimo momento do savatage, o timbre das guitarras bem característico da banda dá o tom do disco. recomendo a todos os amantes da boa música.

Streets: A Rock Opera .......2007-01-13

Just like it states... "Rock Opera Music". Try it, you may like the way it moves.

Average customer rating:

heard it all before
Tedious
great idea, masterfully pulled off
"Maybe it's better for you, mankind, not to know what's going on."
Hail to thou, Tobias Sammet

The Metal Opera
Avantasia
Manufacturer: Century Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Metal Opera Pt. II
Theater of Salvation
Hellfire Club
The Black Halo
Mandrake

ASIN: B00005LMOK
Release Date: 2001-07-10

Tracks:

Prelude
Reach Out For The Light
Serpents In Paradise
Malleus Maleficarum
Breaking Away
Farewell
The Glory Of Rome
In Nomine Patris
Avantasia
A New Dimension
Inside
Sign Of The Cross
The Tower

Album Description

Avantasia's The Metal Opera is the concept album masterpiece created by Edguy vocalist Tobias Sammet. Features members of some of the leading power metal acts like Helloween, Gamma Ray, Stratovarius, Virgin Steele, Rhapsody and, of course, Edguy. 13 tracks. 2001 release.

Customer Reviews:

heard it all before.......2007-04-18

this cd is ok but nothing new or exciting. ill listen to it now and then but i wouldnt suggest that you hyper ventelate and rush to buy.

Tedious.......2006-12-16

If you own Queensryche's "The Warning", you already own everything this opera tries to deliver. Eight different singers and every one of them imitates Geoff Tate every time they open their mouths. The instrumental backings all sound like Queensryche tracks copied, cut and pasted (multiple times) in Cakewalk. Absolutely no innovation whatsoever, the lyrics are straight out of Dungeons & Dragons, and the best compliment I can give the endeavor is "competent".

great idea, masterfully pulled off.......2006-08-08

Avantasia, the metal opera - where to begin? a slew of famous power metal vocalists, top-notch instrumentation, and exciting fantasy-inspired lyrics combine to give us the first half of a two-part story created by Edguy frontman Tobias Sammet.

note: it is an opera in the sense that each role is performed by a different vocalist.

best tracks are Avantasia, Sign of the Cross, Glory of Rome, The Tower, and Serpents in Paradise.

the instrumental tracks are well-done and don't hurt the story. Malleus Maleficarum is creepy but adds to the story. Inside is the one track you can skip - luckily, it's only two minutes long.

"Maybe it's better for you, mankind, not to know what's going on.".......2006-05-17

So sings Elderane the elf on the last track, The Tower, and maybe he is right, in regard to life in general and in regard to this opera. It would not be possible to understand the story from the lyrics themselves, but the insert contains 5 and 1/2 pages (!) of fine print which explain the plot. Maybe that helps the appreciation a little (it certainly indicates the effort expended by Tobias on the project) but the music is fine on its own. Here is real opera with 10 parts sung by 10 different performers, and every one of the 13 tracks represents very listenable power metal. It is a cliff hanger though; you will not know what happens to the young maiden being held in prison for witchcraft until you listen to part 2. I considered giving it five stars but decided that it fits my listening often category more than listening over and over. (Please see my profile for a brief discussion of my rating philosophy.)

1/8/07 Revision. In May of last year I gave this four stars. I've been listening to it a lot lately and decided it fits my criteria for five.

Hail to thou, Tobias Sammet.......2005-08-31

The Edguy-genius Tobias Sammet comes with a solo-project here. I always suspected he had a serious side too, but now he proved it on this masterful metal opera.

The first part starts with a prelude, an example of a great sense for symphony and sphere. It also gives the listener the time to read the impressive guest list. Henjo Richter, known from the famous act Gamma Ray, does the lead guitar on this album and with outstanding skill, although I think his solo's could be more varied, but they were written by master Tobias Sammet himself, so I have no reason to blame Richter. Helloween's Markus Grosskopf does the bass lines and does this very well. The drums are done by Alex Holzwarth, who's now into Rhapsody, and he really brings originality and variation into his drumming techniques.

The second song "Reach out for the light" begins immediately after "Prelude", so I first didn't realize it was the second track. It starts with a really melodic and rather happy intro with double guitar lines. Then Sammet, alias novice Gabriel, starts to complain about his imprisonment and the way things went wrong in his life. He's definitely my favourite metal-singer, because there's just no one who can overpower him in singing originally and high. Michael "Ernie" Kiske, alias druid Lugaid Vandroiy, does the vocals in the chorus and the contrast with Sammet is clear. Kiske sings slowly and melancholically and there's some kind of echo in his voice, which gives the song a new dimension. A great opener, I should say.

"Serpents in Paradise" is the next song and this one and the previous track flow perfectly into each other. This time Sammet sings more slowly and the guitars tune down to. The pre-chorus is even slower, but then the chorus takes off and the choir starts to sing in an triumphant way ("Serpents on the way to paradise"), but Sammet keeps on singing melancholically. Then there's one of the highlights of this album, when David DeFeis (Virgin Steele), alias friar Jakob, tunes in and gives the melody a totally new dimension. He joins the choir in the chorus too and he sings very wild, compared to the choir. In the part where Gabriel ask Vandroiy for answers and help, the choir shows again that they are outstanding. This song is a highlight for the choir and typical vocals.

"Malleus Malificarum" is the creepiest song I ever heard. It reminds me a bit of Cathedral's "Hopkins (The Witchfinder General)". It shows us Bailiff Falk von Kronenburg, played by Ralf Zdiarstek, who's torturing Else Vogler, who's being accused of witchery. The bailiff forces her to confess and when she doesn't give in and curses the bailiff, he commands the torturer to pull on and then we hear the machines making creepy sounds and the woman scream. The shivers ran down my spine and the contrast with the next song is rather great.

"Breaking Away" reminds me of a battle hymn and here the vocals, as well the guitar lines call for action. The two captives got to break out and you can here their belligerence and determination through the whole song. Gabriel wants to liberate his stepsister Anna Held, who's being accused of being a witch too and the next song "Farewell" tells us about their past.

"Farewell" starts with a beautiful instrumental part, where the flute has a leading part. Sammet sings about memories and becomes really nostalgic. But then the chorus comes and although the lyrics suggest sadness, it sounds rather like Gabriel has new hope and the pugnacity returns too. I never became fond of Within Tempation, but for this song (and the other one on Part II) I'll make an exception. Sharon Den Adel, here Anna Held, sings about Anna's imprisonment and she sounds like someone who accepts her fate, in this case the stake. There's sadness in her voice but also bravery. Then Sammet sings in a desperate way and the guitars underline his need to liberate Anna. One of my favourites, this one.

"The Glory of Rome" introduces us to two new characters: Bishop Johann Adam von Bicken, played by Rob Rock, and Pope Clemens IIX, done by Oliver Hartmann (who also appeared on the Aina-metal opera). They're on their way to Rome and a whole song is spent to express their respect for the city, the capital of Christianity. The glory of Rome is highly underlined and all of the Christians sing about it in the chorus. So does Gabriel, who's going to Rome too, together with Vandroiy. The pope gives us the details of his plans, bringing the seven seals together and claiming the ultimate wisdom. The guitars have something threatening in this part of the song, but the glory of Rome is a priority.

"In Nomine Patris" is an instrumental song again and there's not much to say about it. It's melted together with the next song "Avantasia". This one is the single and one of my favourites too. Avantasia is the spiritual world and all parties are heading there; the Christians by the gate and Gabriel by transcending his spirit. In the first part of the song everything is silenced and when the guitars come to full volume, it reflects the feeling that they are waking up somehow. When Sammet starts to sing he sings like's he only been up for a short time and then Vandroiy advises him how to go to Avantasia. This part is the transcending phase and Gabriel still has contact with Vandroiy in Avantasia. When transcended, we meet Gabriel back, but now in his new form in Avantasia. The glory of Avantasia and his function are explained here and in the next song "A New Dimension" we are introduced in the habits of the Avantasians.

`Cause directly after "A New Dimension" we meet Elderane the Elf and king of Avantasia, played by Andre Matos (Shaman and appearing on Aina too), and Regrin the Dwarf, done by Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray's singer), in the song "Inside". The two companions introduce us to the lore of Avantasia and then Sammet sings in a really sad way about the way he didn't experience Avantasia before. But then he comes to understand the importance of the spiritual world and the chorus takes off. A well-deserved applause too for the pianist Frank Tischer on this song. The piano lines are really sad, but well done.

"Sign of the Cross" is definitely my favourite song on this album. We hear a symphonic intro and then Pope Clemens IIX, Rob Rock, starts to sing about the whole story of gathering wisdom and so on. Most of the characters participate on this song and we can hear Regrin sing about the pathetic way in which the Christians try to destroy Avantasia forever. Elderane is sad about the way things could end and the lead guitar of Jens Ludwig (Edguy-colleague) is really great and contains one of the greates solos I ever heard. An outstanding masterpiece!

The last song and also the longest one is "The Tower". It starts with a whole instrumental part, which gives us a preview of how the singing lines will be. When they finally start, it works really surprising. The song takes of very fast then and the vocal lines are performed in a chaotic way, but everything comes together fine. The pre-chorus is again one of those atmospheric parts, as in "Reach out for the light". The chorus then reminds me of the second track too and Michael Kiske sings desperately and forces Gabriel to go to the tower. Then Gabriel does as told, and the voice in the tower, by Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius), speaks to the pope, who is being betrayed. He doesn't get all the wisdom he desired and then all start to sing "For the glory...". The song ends with friar Jakob who has lost the seal and who thinks everything is his fault. Why he does that, we'll see in the second part.

In short ways, I should say: Great music, Magnificent Vocals, Godlike Tobias Sammet!

Average customer rating:

Solid Atomic Rocker
Good early King's X sound
ATOMIC GREATNESS!!!
OLD SCHOOL ROCK/METAL

For Madmen Only
Atomic Opera
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Gospel Cola
Alpha & Oranges
Penguin Dust
Galactic Cowboys

ASIN: B000008D13
Release Date: 1994-05-10

Tracks:

Joyride
Justice
Achilles' Heel
I Know Better
All Fall Down
War Drum
Blackness
December
This Side of the Rainbow
New Dreams

Customer Reviews:

Solid Atomic Rocker.......2007-07-31

Chunky guitar, good singing, Sam Taylor production...sounds like I'm talking about King's X. After reading the reviews on this band, I decided to try them out being a big fan of King's X and the galactic cowboys. I'm glad I did. This is a fabulous debut from this Texas band. It's too bad the Texas sound didn't catch on like the Seatle sound. Taylor was a great producer. Anyone know where he is today?? I love the song december.

Good early King's X sound.......2006-11-03

If you are wanting some more early King's X albums but have them all, then get this. Excellent production, heavy guitar, and fantastic melody.

ATOMIC GREATNESS!!!.......2005-11-02

Years ago, a new wave of metal (consisting of crunchy riffs, incredibly tight figures and stupendous 4-part vocal harmonies) eminated out of the Houston (Katy, to be more specific), Texas area. In the early '90s, great bands such as King's X and the Galactic Cowboys emerged somewhere between the fall of the hair-metal movement but immediately before the Seattle Alternative explosion. Atomic Opera was another great band to rise out of the same mold. 'For Madmen Only' was their first major release and put them on the map to stand up along with their other Katy, Texas counterparts.

What makes this recording so special was the talents of producer Sam Taylor who produced perhaps the better periods of the Galactic Cowboys and King's X recordings as well. Falling somewhere between the heavy side of the Cowboys but the harmonic and production (sound) side of King's X, 'For Madmen Only' is a great addition to anyone who cares to hear a tremendous vocally-dominant metal band. Tracks like "JoyRide," "Justice" and "Blackness" are superb rockers with choruses containing walls of vocal bliss and catchy (but heavy) hooks. And perhaps Atomic Opera's stronger side is their ability to write slower (ballad?) songs like "This Side of the Rainbow" and the very emotional "December."

Why 4 stars? First off, the recording isn't completely consistent. While the aformentioned songs are really special, some others on this recording are forgettable. Additionally, though incredibly strong in the studio, I've heard from more than 1 source that (despite the limited touring they've done) they are a very poor live band. Unfortunately, that doesn't fair well with what is done from a huge production-standpoint in the studio. Currently, leader Frank Hart is putting together a solo record and Atomic Opera still exists to some extent. They released 2 more CD's after this one which were mediocre at best. However, if you enjoy this one, try tracking down 'Alpha and Oranges.' Also produced by Sam Taylor, 'Alpha' was the demo release of songs which landed A.Opera their recording contract. In some ways, I actually think 'Alpha' may be a more consistent record in regards to songwriting! However, for a really great listen, check out 'For Madmen Only!'

OLD SCHOOL ROCK/METAL.......2005-06-13

I HEARD THE TRACK "JUSTICE" ON THE HEADBANGERS BALL SO MANY YEARS AGO.IT WAS A SOUND THAT STUCK WITH ME AND I HAD TO GET THE ALBUM(CASSETTE). I EVENTUALLY WORE IT OUT AND IT BROKE.THE BAND IS VERY COMPIRABLE TO KINGS X ,WHOM THEY HAVE TOURED WITH.THERE IS A COMPLETE BLEND OF SLOW SONGS ALONG WITH A NICE CRUNCHY METAL. GREAT GUITAR WORK AND SOUND ON THIS AND ALL THEIR ALBUMS.BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!