With their tenth studio album, „Here Be Dragons“, AVANTASIA once again prove why they remain one of the most captivating acts in symphonic and melodic metal.
Released on February 28, 2025, via Napalm Records, this record showcases Tobias Sammet’s masterful storytelling and musical craftsmanship in a way that both longtime fans and newcomers will appreciate.
The album opens with „Creepshow“, an instantly catchy track that ranks among the most infectious songs in AVANTASIA’s history. In contrast, the title track „Here Be Dragons“ is a nearly nine-minute epic, combining grandeur and complexity in a way that has become a signature of Sammet’s songwriting.
„The Witch“ takes listeners on a darker, cinematic journey, adding to the album’s mystical aura, while „Avalon“ delivers emotionally charged vocal duets. Meanwhile, „Against The Wind“ brings in a bold, classic heavy metal energy, further emphasizing the album’s versatility.
All ten tracks were written and composed by Tobias Sammet, with production and recording handled by Sammet and Sascha Paeth, who also took care of the mixing. Michael Rodenberg was responsible for the mastering, ensuring the album’s polished sound.
The stunning cover artwork was created by British fantasy artist Rodney Matthews, known for his previous work on The Mystery Of Time (2013).Available in multiple special editions, including limited formats with bonus material, „Here Be Dragons“ is a testament to AVANTASIA’s enduring ability to transport listeners into an immersive, richly detailed musical world.
For fans of epic, melodic metal, Here Be Dragons is an absolute must-listen, capturing AVANTASIA at the peak of their creative powers.
Stream the album on Spotify:
Live at our Hometown Frankfurt:
Tobias Sammet comments: „This year’s festival season was just the beginning of a new era for AVANTASIA, an appetizer so to speak. Because our own shows on our Here Be Dragons tour are something completely different; when we take people completely into our fantastic world and they can forget everything else around them. It will be an experience, an elaborate production with special effects, bigger and better than anything we’ve put on before. Not to mention that we are currently working on great new music, anthemic and epic. And I’m convinced that these songs will perfectly complement our band classics and maybe some long unheard songs in the live setlist. Anyway, I can’t wait to finish Here Be Dragons and unleash it on the people, and then take the whole thing on the road. I can say with full conviction: AVANTASIA are back!“
For all Tourdates visit www.avantasia.com