Timo Tolkki's Avalon - Land of New Hope from BillysProgLog

BillysProgLog posted Timo Tolkki's Avalon - Land of New Hope on 12/22

After 20 years together, Stratovarius decided in 2008 that they were one Timo too many and Timo Tolkki decided to take his talents to South Beach. Well, where he landed, I do not know. As far as I know, he went on a sabbatical. What it appears he did on that sabbatical was to study what Tobias Sammet was doing with Avantasia. After Tobias announced that his Avantasia experience was ending in 2014, Timo decided that this was his opportunity. So, he grabbed the baton, and a few of Tobias' favorite singers, and decided to proceed in a very similar direction.

John Lande must be loyal to the land of Avantasia as he did not land him. He did, however, grab Avantasia alumni Rob Roy, Russell Allen and Michael Kiske as well as Tony Kakko from Sonata Arctica, who would have played on Avantasia had the scheduling worked out with him, and created the band Avalon. Come on, how obvious is this?! Nevertheless, being a huge Avantasia and Timo fan, I am pleased. For you Gamma Ray fans, you will find it amusing the Kiske is featured on the title track, "The Land Of New Hope"...uh, Land Of The Free anyone?!