Fantasy symphonic power metal band France’s Avaland is celebrating the release of their sophomore full-length “The Legend of the Storyteller” out now as of March 31st, 2023 via Rockshots Records with their new music video ‘To Be The King’ featuring guest vocals from Pierre Carabalona (Eltharia) and guitar from Jens Ludwig (Edguy).
The band comments:
“We feel this is another great anthem track on the album and had the most sound in the roots of “Edguy traditions”, and it’s why we had to ask Jens Ludwig to make a solo on it. It’s such an honour to him a part of it as the band has been one of our influences in heavy metal. He did a great job!” We also like to say welcome to an epic, symphonic and bombastic album for a 1H trip to the magical world of Avaland!”
Watch and listen to ‘To Be The King’ ft. Pierre Carabalona (Eltharia) and Jens Ludwig (Edguy) below.
Compared to Avaland‘s debut album, the band’s next full-length “The Legend Of The Storyteller” is heavier and is a much more epic power metal record full of anthems upon anthems for fans to chant to as they are taken on a journey over twelve theatric tracks. The record also hears double vocal duties from Adrien G. Gzagg and Jeff Kanji along with album guests that include Zak Stevens (ex-Savatage/TSO), Madie (ex-Nightmare/Faith In Agony), Pierre “Cara” Carabalona (Eltharia), Ivan Castelli (Lionsoul), Angèle Macabiès, Jens Ludwig (Edguy) and Bruno Ramos (Sortilège/ex-Manigance).
Lead by Adrien G. Gzagg (Autor/Composer/Lead Singer/Synths and Orchestrations), the album’s storyline is a prequel to the band’s first album “Theater of Sorcery” as he explains further:
“This album, as the first one, is a journey, a trip out of our world, into the universe of Avaland. We enjoy seeing Avaland as a great saga, as a movie, or series. We feel like listening to Avaland is like watching Game Of Thrones, The Lord Of The Rings, or reading comics, it’s an escape from everyday life. For this album, we took a lot of inspiration from Game Of Thrones and Arthurian Myths. We love fantasy and mythologies and we also find ourselves having a great fascination for alchemy and esoterism. Time is also a great subject, it’s mystical… in fact, time will be at the center of this saga. This new opus is showing a heavier and darker atmosphere of Avaland’s theatrical universe. Are you ready to be part of “The Legend Of The Storyteller”?”
Avaland is recommended for fans of Savatage, Angra, Avantasia, Symphony X, and Queen.
Track Listing:
1. The Vision – 2:03
2. Crimson Tyranny – 6:45 (video)
3. Insurrection – 4:42
4. To Be The King – 4:34
5. Secret Night – 3:24
6. Kingslayer – 4:10
7. The Gift – 4:48
8. Out Of The Fog – 5:11
9. Betrayers – 5:23 (video)
10. Madness Of The Wise – 5:27
11. You’ll Be The Legend – 5:17
12. Lies – 10:29
(Bonus Track – La Folie Du Sage)
Album Length: 1:02:19
Tour Dates – Avaland w/ Rhapsody of Fire:
14/04/23 – Leipzig, DE – Hellraiser
15/04/23 – Rockslide Festival – DK (Avaland no gig – just meet and greet)
16/04/23 – Hamburg, DE – Logo
18/04/23 – Lublin, PL – TBC
19/04/23 – Warsaw, PL – Proxima
20/04/23 – Vienna, AT – Viper Room
21/04/23 – Zlin, CZ – MOR Cafè
22/04/23 – San Dona, IT – Revolver
23/04/23 – Milano, IT – Legend
Avaland is:
Adrien G. Gzagg (Autor/Composer/Lead Singer/Synths and Orchestrations)
Jeff Kanji (Lead Singer/Additional Voices and Guitars)
Lucas Martinez (Guitars)
Camille Souffron (Bass)
Leo Mouchonay (Drums)