Band : Avantasia
Album Title : Lost In Space Part 1 & 2
Label : Nuclear Blast Records
Distribution : PIAS
Release date : November 2008
Review : CD

Avantasia is a symphonic metal power metal project created by Tobias Sammet, vocalist and frontman of the German power metal group Edguy. The project's title is a combination of the words avalon and fantasia and describes a world beyond human imagination. Since 2001, two full-length albums with the subtitle “The Metal Opera”, which tell a fictional story about the Dominican monk Gabriel in the early 17th century, and an album called The Scarecrow were released, as well as two EP’s called “Lost in Space”.
The album we hold in our hands now, “Lost In Space Part 1&2”,is the compilation of the two versions of the previously mentioned EP with the same name, now available on one disc and with a bonus track.
Tobias Sammet is responsible for the writing of the songs, as well as most of the singing and the bass playing. The other instruments were played by drummer Eric Singer (for instance Kiss, Alice Cooper) and guitarist Sascha Paeth (for instance Heaven’s Gate and Aina), while guest vocals were provided by amongst others Jorn Lande (formerly in Masterplan), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), and Bob Catley (Magnum).
“Lost In Space Part 1&2” contains 14 songs and has a playing time of 48 minutes.
Highlights are the opening track "Lost In Space", the surprising cover version of ABBA’s “Lay All Your Love On Me”, "Another Angel Down", “The Story Ain’t Over” and the brilliant cover version of Ultravox’ “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes”.
As bonus track, an extended version of “Lost In Space” is featured.
Avantasia played as one of the headliners at the Wacken festival in 2008 and I can only hope that this project someday will do a club tour or arena tour, so that everyone is able to discover this magnificent project of Tobias Sammet with his guest musicians.

80/100

Erik.