Avalon (Finnish band)

Timo Tolkki's Avalon
Origin	Finland
Genres	Symphonic power metal
Years active	2013–present
Labels	Frontiers Records
Associated acts	Timo Tolkki, Stratovarius, Revolution Renaissance, Symfonia, Amaranthe, Michael Kiske, Unisonic, Helloween, Symphony X, Within Temptation, Rob Rock, Impellitteri, Axel Rudi Pell, Sonata Arctica, Rhapsody of Fire, Derek Sherinian, Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen
Website	tolkki.org
Members	Timo Tolkki

Timo Tolkki's Avalon (also known simply as Avalon) is a metal opera project created by Timo Tolkki (formerly of Stratovarius, Revolution Renaissance and Symfonia) in 2013.

According to Tolkki "I find the Metal Opera concept fascinating and logical to me at this point of my career. I love classical music and just like in Classical Opera, in the Metal Opera you can also create stories and have almost limitless possibilities musically".

The project's debut album, The Land of New Hope, was released on May 17, 2013 through Frontiers Records. The album features performances by vocalists Elize Ryd, Rob Rock, Michael Kiske, Russell Allen, Sharon den Adel and Tony Kakko, as well as the participation of guest musicians Alex Holzwarth on drums and both Jens Johansson and Derek Sherinian on keyboards.

Tobias Sammet, German musician and mentor of Avantasia, another metal opera which had its 6th album released on March 2013, received the news of Timo Tolkki's own project with initial sarcasm, stating: "Wow, someone is extraordinarily creative here: the title, the guests, the timing... What a funny coincidence, isn't it?! But there have been thousands of Metal Operas, especially after Avantasia. Such is business...". However, he later stated: "There are a lot of metal operas out there, and I have to deal with that. If something is very successful or even not successful then other people may feel inspired by it. It's Timo Tolkki (laughs) what can I say, he's a great guy and he does what he does. I wish him the best of luck."

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Wikipedia