Timo Tolkki is one of the emblematic figures of the power metal scene. And for good reason, the Finnish guitarist joined the now cult group Stratovarius in 1985, and this until 2008. After participating in several projects (Revolution Renaissance and Symfonia), the shredder founded Avalon in 2013. It is therefore in the form of a metal opera that the guitarist continues his journey. The combo released a first album in the year of its creation, in 2013, then a second album in 2014. In 2019, it was the turn of "Return To Eden" to be created, illustrated by a magnificent cover with sublime colors, in an atmosphere faithful to the musical style.
As usual, there are many renowned guests. At the front of the line, the undefeatable Anneke Van Giersbergen (The Gathering) appears on two tracks. Also present were Zachary Stevens (Savatage, Circle II Circle), Todd Michael Hall (Riot V, Reverence), Mariangela Demurtas (Tristania) and Eduard Hovinga (Elegy).
Musically, we swim in the middle of an ocean of melodic/symphonic metal. The band is perfectly in place, the production is clean, the musicians irreproachable. It contains the ingredients dear to the genre: super-fast guitar solos ('Wasted Dreams','Limits'), unifying and heady choruses ('Return To Eden','Promises') and even violin ('Now And Forever'). The track that stands out is certainly 'Hear My Call', sung entirely by the famous Anneke Van Giersbergen whose voice perfectly fits the atmosphere and whose interpretation is still very accurate, especially on the choruses that we would want to hear more often.
This disc therefore has the defects of its qualities. By listing all the gimmicks and the usual components of a melodic metal opus, the listener will have the feeling of listening to a generic album, quite conventional, and therefore predictable, without any real originality. Nevertheless, the work is masterfully executed by the Scandinavian multi-instrumentalist.
"Return To Eden" is therefore an effective album to recommend to lovers of melodic metal and opera metal who want to immerse themselves in a celestial symphonic universe that will make them travel for a moment.