Live Review: Avantasia - Roundhouse, London
24th March 2025
Words & Photos: Tom Atkin
It's a bit of a different one tonight at the Roundhouse in London; early doors and no support act. Avantasia are making the most of their only UK show as part of the "Here Be Dragons" tour, supporting their most recent album of the same name. We are in for a treat of symphonic rock and metal brewed out of Germany by the incredible mind of Tobias Sammet.
It’s a mixed crowds tonight with all ages, coming together just for absolutely great music. Doors opened at 7pm and the band hit the stage at 8.10pm for a whopping two hour forty minute set that spanned twenty two songs.
A little about Avantasia for those who don’t know. It is basically a super group that consistently pulls in guest musicians from the rock and metal scene. The list of vocalists on this tour is stacked. We have, to name a few, Adrienne Cowan (Seven Spires), Tommy Karevik (Kamelot and Seventh Wonder), Kenny Leckremo (H.E.A.T) and Bob Catley (Magnum). I will list the rest at the end of the review along with what songs they performed on.
Firstly I need to draw attention the stage set, it seems as though it has been pulled straight from Nightmare Before Christmas and looks absolutely incredible.
First up of the mammoth set is 'Creepshow' one of only four songs from the evening where Tobias performs as lone vocalist. A great song to open for those not too familiar with the Tobias’s super group, it is a brilliant representation of what is to come with catchy older style heavy metal riffs, and vocals that just hit right.
They are pegged as being more of a theatre performance, and you can see why, everything fits together beautifully, and to be honest Tobias is extremely theatrical with his movements around the stage, capturing everyone ones attention.
We then get our first guest vocalist of the night, Adrienne Cowan of Seven Spires, who features on two duet’s this evening. The first being 'Reach Out For The Light' and later in the show 'Avalon'. The latter she also provides the vocals on the album version. She is also features as a back up singer through out the whole set, you can see why with such an incredible voice and stage presence.
Our next guest is the mighty Tommy Karevik from Kamalot who gives us 'The Witch', 'The Wicked Sympathy' and 'Here Be Dragons', with the former being his album song. Even though his second song is technically not his, his vocal style fits it perfectly.
That is the case with literally every song tonight, you can tell Tobias put a large amount of thought in to which singers he puts on the album, which he brings on tour and which songs they perform. Every song played, feels like it is a band that have been together for years, not a collaboration of different singers spread over time.
The set spans their whole career, with only two albums not touched on, so there is something for everyone. Their older songs from the likes of 'The Metal Opera' and 'The Scarecrow' sound just as up to date as everything off of 'Here Be Dragons'. This is the bonus of such a long set, the band can throw in songs for every fan, no matter when they discovered Avantasia.
For a few songs, Tobias took a step back. 'Promised Land' and 'Twisted Mind' have their vocal work solely handled by Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids) and Eric Martin (Mr. Big) respectivly. Kenny Leckremo (H.E.A.T), Tommy Karevik and Herbie Langhans (Seventh Avenue) take the reigns in different combinations on 'The Wicked Symphony' and 'Shelter from the Rain'
As it is a London show, we are treated to a one off for the tour, Bob Catley (Magnum) makes a welcome appearance for his song from 'Lost in Space Part 1', 'The Story Aint Over', much to the delight of everyone in here. This makes the show that little bit more special as no other city on the tour will get this.
Just to touch on the other aspects of the show, Tobias likes to flaunt about the stage. This not only makes for an astounding performance but the lighting fits perfectly as well, with every one on stage being well lit, alongside great flame and fog stacks to the rear.
Tobias has fun as well, interacting with the crowd between songs, and with the rest of the band during the songs. He just has an incredible amount of passion for the shows and you can see why it has pulled the crowd it has.
Sadly, this was the only UK stop of the tour, however if you are out in Europe you need to stop by one of their shows for a thoroughly great night.
Photo Credit: Tom Atkin
Full setlist for the evening:
CREEPSHOW (Tobias Sammet)
REACH OUT FOR THE LIGHT (Tobias Sammet, Adrienne Cowan)
THE WITCH (Tobias Sammet, Tommy Karevik)
DEVIL IN THE BELFRY (Tobias Sammet, Herbie Langhans)
PHANTASMAGORIA (Tobias Sammet, Ronnie Atkins)
WHAT`S LEFT OF ME (Tobias Sammet, Eric Martin)
DYING FOR AN ANGEL (Tobias Sammet, Eric Martin)
AGAINST THE WIND (Tobias Sammet, Kenny Leckremo)
HERE BE DRAGONS (Tobias Sammet, Tommy Karevik)
THE STORY AIN'T OVER (Tobias Sammet, Bob Catley)
AVALON (Tobias Sammet, Adrienne Cowan)
LET THE STORM (Tobias Sammet, Herbie Langhans, Kenny Leckremo)
PROMISED LAND (Ronnie Atkins, Eric Martin)
THE TOYMASTER (Tobias Sammet)
TWISTED MIND (Ronnie Atkins, Eric Martin)
THE WICKED SYMPHONY (Tommy Karevik, Kenny Leckremo)
SHELTER FROM THE RAIN (Herbie Langhans, Kenny Leckremo)
FAREWELL (Tobias Sammet, Chiara Tricarico)
THE SCARECROW (Tobias Sammet, Herbie Langhans)
DEATH IS JUST A FEELING (Tobias Sammet)
Encore:
LUCIFER (Tobias Sammet)
SIGN OF THE ANGELS (Tobias Sammet, Chiara Tricarico, Adrienne Cowan, all)
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