Avalon (Finnish band)
{{Short description|Finnish metal opera project}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Timo Tolkki's Avalon
| image =
| caption =
| alias =
| origin = Finland
| genre = Symphonic power metal
| years_active = 2013–2021
| label = Frontiers
| associated_acts = Stratovarius, Symfonia, Allen-Lande, Rhapsody of Fire, Sonata Arctica, Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen, Secret Sphere, Temperance, Star One, Amaranthe
| website = {{URL|http://tolkki.org/}}
| current_members = Timo Tolkki
}}
Timo Tolkki's Avalon (also known simply as Avalon) was a Finnish metal opera project created by Timo Tolkki (formerly of Stratovarius, Revolution Renaissance and Symfonia) in 2013.[http://www.grande-rock.com/news/avalon_-_land_new_hope_may_17th Avalon - The Land of New Hope on May 17th] March 14, 2013. Retrieved on March 29, 2013. Grande Rock.
According to Tolkki "I find the Metal Opera concept fascinating and logical to me at this point of my career. I love classical music and just like in Classical Opera, in the Metal Opera you can also create stories and have almost limitless possibilities musically".[http://www.frontiers.it/news/10633/ Timo Tolkki returns]. Frontiers Records. Retrieved on March 30, 2013.
History
= Foundation and ''The Land of New Hope'' (2013) =
The project, including its name, was conceived by Frontiers Records's founder Serafino Perugino in 2010. He called Tolkki back then and asked if he wanted to do a metal opera like that.{{Cite video|first=Arto |last=Mäenpää|date= 18 June 2021 | title=Exclusive: Timo Tolkki interview about "The Enigma Birth" |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcMm-3Jqrvk |access-date= 10 July 2021|time= 4:10 |work=Chaoszine |publisher= YouTube}}
The project's debut album, The Land of New Hope, was released on 17 May 2013 through Frontiers Records. The album features performances by vocalists Elize Ryd, Rob Rock, Michael Kiske, Russell Allen, Sharon den Adel and Tony Kakko, as well as the participation of guest musicians Alex Holzwarth on drums and both Jens Johansson and Derek Sherinian on keyboards.[http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=187439 TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON: 'The Land Of New Hope' Details Revealed] Blabbermouth.net. March 14, 2013. Retrieved on March 29, 2013.
Tobias Sammet, German musician and mentor of Avantasia, another metal opera which had its 6th album released in March 2013, received the news of Timo Tolkki's own project with initial sarcasm, stating: "Wow, someone is extraordinarily creative here: the title, the guests, the timing... What a funny coincidence, isn't it?! But there have been thousands of Metal Operas, especially after Avantasia. Such is business...".{{cite web|last=Nightangel|title=Exclusive Tobias Sammet (Avantasia) interview for Kiske Fanclub|url=http://kiskefanclub.com/?p=1084|work=Kiske Fanclub|access-date=30 March 2013|date=21 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019194236/http://kiskefanclub.com/?p=1084|archive-date=19 October 2013|url-status=dead}} However, he later stated: "There are a lot of metal operas out there, and I have to deal with that. If something is very successful or even not successful then other people may feel inspired by it. It's Timo Tolkki (laughs) what can I say, he's a great guy and he does what he does. I wish him the best of luck."{{cite web|last=Dean|first=Mark|title=Exclusive Interview with Tobias Sammet (Vocals) (Avantasia, Edguy)|url=http://myglobalmind.com/2013/03/23/exclusive-interview-with-tobias-sammet-vocals-avantasia-edguy/|work=My Global Mind|access-date=30 March 2013|date=23 March 2013}}
When asked about if he was aware that this project would be compared to Avantasia, Timo replied that "Nobody owns a franchise to 'metal operas' which is not really an operatic format because it doesn't have any real dialogue between the singers."{{cite web|title=Interview with Timo Tolkki|url=http://www.metaltraveller.com/en/gigs/timo_tolkki/interview.html|work=Metal Traveller|access-date=11 May 2013|date=11 May 2013}}
= ''Angels of the Apocalypse'' (2014) =
In October 2013 Timo launched a news website for the project in which he announced the sequel to The Land of New Hope, which was provisionally titled Avalon II.{{cite web|title=Launch of AVALON II|url=http://avalonopera.com/launch-of-avalon-ii/|work=Avalon Opera.com|access-date=23 October 2013|date=5 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131024014913/http://avalonopera.com/launch-of-avalon-ii/|archive-date=24 October 2013}} The cast of guest musicians will be revealed one by one. Simone Simons of Epica fame is the first confirmed singer.{{cite web
|title=First singer for Avalon II revealed!
|url=http://avalonopera.com/first-singer-for-avalon-ii-revealed-2/
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008010613/http://avalonopera.com/first-singer-for-avalon-ii-revealed-2/
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=8 October 2013
|work=Avalon Opera.com
|access-date=23 October 2013
|date=7 October 2013
}} Floor Jansen will play the leading role.{{cite web|title=Floor Jansen is the main vocalist on Avalon II, the album and European tour planned for May 2014 |url=http://avalonopera.com/floor-jansen-main-vocalist-avalon-ii-album-european-tour-planned-may-2014/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212045916/http://avalonopera.com/floor-jansen-main-vocalist-avalon-ii-album-european-tour-planned-may-2014/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 December 2013 |work=Avalon Opera.com |access-date=9 December 2013 |date=9 December 2013 }} It was also announced that Timo's former bandmates in Stratovarius, drummer Tuomo Lassila and keyboardist Antti Ikonen will play on this album.{{cite web|title=Tuomo Lassila Videogreeting|url=http://avalonopera.com/tuomo-lassila-videogreeting/|work=Avalon Opera.com|access-date=28 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311223038/http://avalonopera.com/tuomo-lassila-videogreeting/|archive-date=11 March 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Keyboardist Antti Ikonen joins Avalon line up and the Recordings of the new Avalon album start|url=http://avalonopera.com/keyboardist-antti-ikonen-joins-avalon-line-recordings-new-avalon-album-start/|work=Avalon Opera.com|access-date=22 November 2013|date=22 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311222631/http://avalonopera.com/keyboardist-antti-ikonen-joins-avalon-line-recordings-new-avalon-album-start/|archive-date=11 March 2014|url-status=dead}}
On 28 January Timo revealed title of the album (Angels of the Apocalypse) and the rest of the cast: Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire, Angra), David DeFeis (Virgin Steele), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) and Caterina Nix.{{cite web|title=Timo Tolkki's Avalon reveals the album title and the rest of the cast|url=https://www.facebook.com/avalonopera/posts/256227711222016?stream_ref=10|work=Timo Tolkki's Avalon official profile|publisher=Facebook|access-date=28 January 2014|date=28 January 2014}} 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.
A European tour was planned for May 2014, coinciding with the release of the album.
= ''Return to Eden'' (2019), ''The Enigma Birth'' (2021) and dissolution =
In early 2019, Timo Tolkki announced the third Avalon album and remaining part of the Avalon trilogy, Return to Eden, with the main working song, "Promises".{{Cite web |url=https://heavymag.com.au/timo-tolkkis-new-album-avalon-return-to-eden-to-be-released-14th-june/ |title=TIMO TOLKki's New Album - AVALON - 'RETURN TO EDEN' to be Released 14th June | HEAVY Magazine |access-date=2019-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509171423/https://heavymag.com.au/timo-tolkkis-new-album-avalon-return-to-eden-to-be-released-14th-june/ |archive-date=2019-05-09 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/timo-tolkkis-avalon-promises-video-released/|title=TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON: 'Promises' Video Released|date=April 23, 2019|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=12 November 2019}}
The fourth Avalon studio album, The Enigma Birth was released on 18 June 2021, extending the Avalon conceptual saga.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/timo-tolkkis-avalon-announces-new-album-the-enigma-birth-feat-james-labrie-fabio-lione/|title=TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON Announces New Album 'The Enigma Birth' Feat. JAMES LABRIE, FABIO LIONE|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=April 13, 2021|date=April 13, 2021}} Shortly after the album's release, Timo Tolkki announced the end of the Avalon project after a dispute with Frontiers Records.
Members
= Instrumentalists =
| class="wikitable" |
| Name
! Associated bands |
|---|
| {{flagicon|Finland}} Timo Tolkki
| Stratovarius, Revolution Renaissance, Symfonia, Allen-Lande | guitar, bass | guitar, bass | guitar | guitar |
| {{flagicon|Germany}} Alex Holzwarth
| drums | | | |
| {{flagicon|Finland}} Mikko Härkin
| Sonata Arctica, Symfonia, Luca Turilli's Rhapsody | keyboards | | | |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Derek Sherinian
| Dream Theater, Black Country Communion, Yngwie Malmsteen, Planet X, Sons of Apollo | keyboard solo on track 8 | | | |
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} Jens Johansson
| Stratovarius, Yngwie Malmsteen, Cain's Offering | keyboard solo on track 8 | | | |
| {{flagicon|Finland}} Sami Boman
|orchestration | | | |
| {{flagicon|Finland}} Tuomo Lassila
| | drums | | |
| {{flagicon|Finland}} Antti Ikonen
| | keyboards | | |
| {{flagicon|France}} Nicolas Jeudy
| | | orchestration | | |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Andrea Buratto
| | | bass | |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Giulio Capone
| | | drums, piano, keyboards | |
| {{flagicon|Finland}} Santtu Lehtiniemi
| | | | additional guitar | |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Aldo Lonobile
| | | guitar | guitar |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Antonio Agate
|Secret Sphere, Icon & The Black Roses | | | piano, keyboards, orchestration | piano, keyboards, orchestration |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Andrea Arcangeli
| | | | bass |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Marco Lazzarini
| | | | drums, piano, keyboards |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Federico Maraucci
| | | | | additional guitar |
= Singers =
| class="wikitable" |
| Name
! Associated bands |
|---|
| {{flagicon|USA}} Rob Rock
| lead vocals on tracks 1–2, 4–5, 7-8 | | | |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Russell Allen
| Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob, Allen-Lande, Star One | lead vocals on tracks 1–2, 4 | | | |
| {{flagicon|Germany}} Michael Kiske
| Unisonic, Place Vendome, Kiske/Somerville, Helloween | lead vocals on track 10 | | | |
| {{flagicon|Finland}} Tony Kakko
| lead vocals on track 5 | | | |
| {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Sharon den Adel
| lead vocals on track 6 | | | |
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} Elize Ryd
| lead vocals on tracks 1–4, 6, 9 | lead vocals on tracks 9-10 | | |
| {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Floor Jansen
| Nightwish, ReVamp, After Forever, Star One, Ayreon | | lead vocals on tracks 3, 6–7, 10 | | |
| {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Simone Simons
| Epica | | lead vocals on tracks 9-10 | | |
| {{flagicon|USA}} David DeFeis
| | lead vocals on track 4 | | |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Fabio Lione
| Rhapsody of Fire, Vision Divine, Angra | | lead vocals on tracks 1–2, 5 | | lead vocals on tracks 9, 12 |
| {{flagicon|Chile}} Caterina Nix
| Aghonya, Chaos Magic | | lead vocals on tracks 9-10 | | lead vocals on tracks 2-3 |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Zachary Stevens
| | lead vocals on track 8 | lead vocals on tracks 3, 6, 11 | |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Todd Michael Hall
| | | lead vocals on tracks 2–3, 5 | |
| {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Anneke van Giersbergen
|The Gathering, Anneke van Giersbergen | | | lead vocals on tracks 4, 8 | |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Mariangela Demurtas
| | | lead vocals on tracks 3, 9, 12 | |
| {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Eduard Hovinga
| | | lead vocals on tracks 7, 10 | |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Chiara Tricarico
| | | backing vocals on track 9 | |
| {{flagicon|Canada}} James LaBrie
| | | | lead vocals on track 5 |
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} Jake E
| | | | lead vocals on tracks 6, 10 |
| {{flagicon|Brazil}} Marina La Torraca
|Phantom Elite, Exit Eden | | | | lead vocals on tracks 7, 11 |
| {{flagicon|Canada}} Brittney Hayes
| | | | lead vocals on tracks 3, 10 |
| {{flagicon|Brazil}} Raphael Mendes
|Icon of Sin | | | | lead vocals on tracks 4, 8 |
| {{flagicon|Norway}} PelleK
| | | | | lead vocals on track 1 |
Discography
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://tolkki.org/}}
- {{discogs artist|Timo Tolkki's Avalon}}
{{Timo Tolkki}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Heavy metal supergroups
Category:Finnish power metal musical groups
Category:Finnish symphonic metal musical groups
Category:Musical groups established in 2013