Avantasia return with "Invoke the Machine"

Tobias Sammet is always a busy guy. When he’s not writing sings and signing in the always-likeable Edguy, he’s working on his popular, much more ambitious rock opera project Avantasia, and in 2013, it’s the latter band that will be receiving all the attention. Sixth album The Mystery of Time ("a rock epic", says the album cover) is ready to go, set for an April 30 release in North America via Nuclear Blast, and as usual fans can expect not only some very catchy, progressive-tinged, orchestra-laden power metal from Sammet, but a bevy of high profile guest musicians contributing to the record as well. This time around, guests include Joe Lynn Turner, Eric Martin, Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Biff Byford, Michael Kiske, Arjen Lucassen, Bruce Kulick, Russell Gilbrook (Uriah Heep), Bob Catley (Magnum), and guitarist/producer Sascha Paeth.

Featuring lead vocals by both Sammet and Atkins, “Invoke the Machine” is exactly what you’d expect from Avantasia: heavy on fantasy as well as melody, the bombast of the arrangement bolstered by some very strong hooks, something Sammet has a real talent for. Listen to the track below.