What I really like about Edguy frontman Tobias Sammet’s Avantasia project is that he has really made strides to compose songs with variety, especially more so now on "Angel Of Babylon" and "The Wicked Symphony". Still, even though more epic European Power Metal in style, "The Metal Opera Pt. 2", remains my favorite now along with "Angel of Babylon". And third entry "The Scarecrow", in parts more modern, also enjoyable.

With "Angel of Babylon", Tobias has combined the power metal catchiness of "Pt.2" with "Scarecrow’s" variety. ‘Stargazers’, featuring Bruce Kulick on guitar, Jorn Lande, Michael Kiske (ex–Helloween), and Russell Allen (Symphony X) all switching on verses along with Tobias, is an up tempo double bass rocker. Jens Johansson from Stratovarius brings some of his band’s influence to the title track and Tobi goes solo (as with ballad ‘Blowing Out The Flame’) on the radio ready ‘You Love Is Evil’. Three tracks in so far so good.

‘Death Is Just A Feeling’…ooohhhh yeah…as Jon Oliva (Savatage) opens his mouth a chill runs down the spine (wait…is this the Trans Siberian Orchestra?) for this sister song to ‘The Toy Master’ (which was aptly song by Alice Cooper) from "The Scarecrow". ‘Rat Race’ is another with a rock n roll solid edge and a little vocal effect on Tobias. Jorn (who appears on 7 of the 11 songs) compliments Tobias nicely on the mid paced ‘Down In The Dark’ which would fit rather well on one of Lande’s solo albums.

Like something on a B horror film, goth tinged keyboards begin ‘Symphony Of Life’, sang by Cloudy Yang (who is that?). Between the backing keyboards and feminine voice, it all comes together really well and one of Tobias’ most original and unique arrangements ever. Good for him! Mainstay guitarist Sascha Paeth offers up the blues for ‘Alone I Remember’ that also throws a curve ball with a very hooky commercial chorus. Michael Kiske returns for ‘Promised Land II’ and ‘Journey To Arcadia’ closes things out with a Broadwayesque ballad.

Beginning to end, given the variety and consistency, this could be the best Avantasia album.

Here’s who performed on the album:
Tobias Sammet: Vocals & Bass
Sascha Paeth: Guitars
Eric Singer: Drums
Michael "Miro" Rodenberg: Keyboards & Orchestration

Guests:
Musicians:
Bruce Kulick: Guitars (Stargazers, Rat Race, and Journey to Arcadia)
Oliver Hartmann: Guitars (Stargazers, Angel of Babylon, Your Love Is Evil)
Henjo Richter: Guitars (Promised Land II)
Felix Bohnke: Drums (Death Is Just A Feeling, Down In the Dark, and Symphony of Life)
Alex Holzwarth: Drums (Stargazers, Angel of Babylon, Your Love Is Evil)
Jens Johansson: Keyboards (Angel of Babylon)
Simon Oberender: Organ (Alone I Remember)

Singers:
Jorn Lande: (Stargazers, Angel of Babylon, Rat Race, Down In the Dark, Alone I Remember, Promised Land II, Journey to Arcadia)
Michael Kiske: (Stargazers, Promised Land II)
Russell Allen: (Stargazers)
Bob Catley: (Journey to Arcadia)
Cloudy Yang: (Symphony of Life)
Jon Oliva: (Death Is Just A Feeling)