Angels of the Apocalypse
| Angels of the Apocalypse | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 16, 2014 (Europe) May 20, 2014 (North America)[1] | |||
| Recorded | 2013-2014 | |||
| Genre | Symphonic power metal | |||
| Length | 50:23[2] | |||
| Label | Frontiers Records | |||
| Producer | Timo Tolkki | |||
| Avalon chronology | ||||
| ||||
Angels of the Apocalypse is the second full-length album by Timo Tolkki's metal opera project Avalon, released on May 16, 2014 in Europe and four days later in North America.[1]
It is the second part of the trilogy created by Tolkki, with the previous album The Land of New Hope being the third part of the story[3]
As with the previous effort, several heavy metal singers were invited to play the characters of the story of the album, with female vocalist Elize Ryd of Amaranthe reprising her role and Floor Jansen (Nightwish, ReVamp) playing the main character.[4] The rest of the cast includes Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire, Angra), David DeFeis (Virgin Steele), Simone Simons (Epica), Caterina Nix[5] (solo Chilean singer who is having her debut album produced by Timo Tolkki[6]) and Zachary Stevens (ex-Savatage, Circle II Circle).[6]
Background and recording
The album started to be composed in August 2013 in Greece, to where Timo travelled to seek inspiration.[6]
On October 2013, Timo Tolkki launched a news website for the project in which he announced the album, which was provisionally titled Avalon II.[7] Tolkki also announced he would be working with former Stratovarius bandmates Tuomo Lassila (drums) and Antti Ikonen (keyboards).[8][9]
In late January, Tolkki revealed the name of the album and the remaining singers.[5] 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.[5]
Once again, the artwork was created by French artist Stanis W. Decker.
Timo stated he created some songs with a specific singer in mind.[6] The title-track will clock around 10:00.[6] He also described the music of the album as "darker and heavier" than its predecessor, which was necessary due to the "Apocalyptic scenes described in the lyrics".[6]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Timo Tolkki except Garden of Eden, composed by Nicolas Jeudy
| No. | Title | Guest Vocalist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Song for Eden" | Fabio Lione | 0:46 |
| 2. | "Jerusalem is Falling" | Fabio Lione | 5:19 |
| 3. | "Design the Century" | Floor Jansen[6] | 4:25 |
| 4. | "Rise of the 4th Reich" | David DeFeis | 4:43 |
| 5. | "Stargate Atlantis" | Fabio Lione | 3:51 |
| 6. | "The Paradise Lost" | Floor Jansen | 4:16 |
| 7. | "You'll Bleed Forever" | Floor Jansen | 5:45 |
| 8. | "Neon Sirens" | Zachary Stevens | 4:42 |
| 9. | "High Above Me" | Caterina Nix, Elize Ryd, Simone Simons | 5:20 |
| 10. | "Angels of the Apocalypse" | Floor Jansen, Caterina Nix, Elize Ryd, Simone Simons | 9:07 |
| 11. | "Garden of Eden" | (instrumental) | 2:10 |
| Total length: | 50:23[2] | ||
Personnel
- Instrumentalists
- Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius) — lead and rhythm guitars (Fender), bass, add. keyboards
- Tuomo Lassila (ex-Stratovarius) — drums
- Antti Ikonen (ex-Stratovarius) — keyboards
- Vocalists
- David DeFeis (Virgin Steele)
- Floor Jansen (Nightwish, ReVamp)
- Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire, Vision Divine, Angra)
- Caterina Nix (Cati Torrealba)
- Elize Ryd (Amaranthe)
- Simone Simons (Epica)
- Zachary Stevens (ex-Savatage, Circle II Circle)
- Additional cast
- Nicolas Jeudy[6] - orchestrations
References
- ^ a b "TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON: 'Angels Of The Apocalypse' Album Details Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
- ^ a b Angels of the Apocalypse at iTunes
- ^ "Interview with Timo Tolkki". Metal Traveller. April 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ^ "Floor Jansen is the main vocalist on Avalon II, the album and European tour planned for May 2014". Avalon Opera.com. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Timo Tolkki's Avalon - More Angels Of The Apocalypse Artwork, Album Details Revealed". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
- ^ "Launch of AVALON II". Avalon Opera.com. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
- ^ "Tuomo Lassila Videogreeting". Avalon Opera.com. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- ^ "Keyboardist Antti Ikonen joins Avalon line up and the Recordings of the new Avalon album start". Avalon Opera.com. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.