French metal opera act AVALAND is dropping their brand-new album “Chemical Poetry” via Storytium SAS on October 30, marking the latest chapter in their ongoing sonic saga. Ahead of the release, fans are already getting another sneak peek at the new album in the form of the lyric video single “To Fool A Witch,” which is out now.
“Too Fool a Witch” is highly cinematic and vividly evocative. While its foundations are firmly rooted in melodic power metal, listeners may hear echoes of Sonata Arctica’s storytelling approach blended with progressive influences ranging from Asia to Epica. One particularly distinctive guitar motif resembles the mocking laughter of a witch lurking in the shadows, while French choral passages add a dramatic, almost operatic dimension reminiscent of Bizet’s romantic heritage.
“This is one of my favorite choruses on the entire album. Rather than relying on an immediate hook, the vocal lines were designed around melody and emotional progression. The true leitmotif of the song emerges through the descending chromatic guitar riff, which constantly returns to haunt the listener throughout the track,” says singer Adrien.
Under the eyes of the God of Time (singer: Jeff Kanji), protagonist Aylan Wilstorm (singer: Adrien G. Gzagg) meets Loreleï, the powerful witch with whom he finds a lot in common. The God of Time foresees the potential disaster of a union between her witchcraft and the young reckless alchemist. Helle Bohdanova, who represents the Avalandian Death, also appears as a guest singer again in this eerily haunting track. “To Fool A Witch” represents a crucial turning point in Aylan’s psychological journey throughout the album. As doubt begins to cloud his mind, he finds himself torn between heart and reason, questioning his destiny and his own identity. This inner conflict lies at the very core of the song, creating one of the album’s most intimate internal struggles.
“We also spent a considerable amount of time refining the song structure. After many discussions within the band, we deliberately chose to place the guitar solo immediately after the first chorus, breaking away from the traditional verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-chorus format. That decision allowed the music itself to continue the storytelling and bring an additional layer of narrative to Aylan’s inner turmoil,” Adrien further explains.
AVALAND’s new record, “Chemical Poetry”, takes listeners on an immersive journey defined by a signature sound that seamlessly blends heavy, power, and symphonic metal with dramatic theatricality, enriched by orchestral arrangements, dark melodic motifs, electronic textures, swing and jazz accents, and a touch of death metal.
As with their previous albums, “The Legend Of The Storyteller” (2023) and “Theater Of Sorcery” (2021), AVALAND have invited several well-known musicians for guest appearances on “Chemical Poetry”, including Tom Englund (Evergrey), Helle Bohdanova (Ignea), Marcela Bovio (Stream Of Passion), Madie (Faith In Agony / ex-Nightmare), and Joost van den Broek (Epica, Powerwolf, Sabaton, Ayreon, Blind Guardian) who also produced the new album.
The cast of characters in the new chapter of AVALAND’s metal opera is as follows:
Aylan Wilstorm – Adrian G. Gzagg
God of Time – Jeff Kanji
Leonid Arlbrok, The Butler – Tom Englund
Loreleï Wizbell – Madie
Death – Helle Bogdanova
The Mystic – Marcela Bovio
“Chemical Poetry” Tracklist
1. When The Night Comes Alive (feat. Tom Englund)
2. Destiny Calls (feat. Madie)
3. Alchemy (feat. Madie)
4. Beauties and Beasts (feat. Madie & Tom Englund)
5. To Fool A Witch (feat. Helle Bohdanova)
6. Fate (feat. Madie)
7. Ascension
8. Sail On
9. Face The Eternal (feat. Helle Bohdanova & Joost van den Broek)
10. Trinity (feat. Marcela Bovio & Helle Bohdanova)
11. Fallen Leaves (feat. Tom Englund)
12. Faded Away
Pre-save “Chemical Poetry”: https://www.fanbase.to/9Yoj9KCk
AVALAND will celebrate their new record with a release party, which will be a listening and signing session with a merch stand, on November 6th, at Dr. Feelgood Rocket, one of the most famous metal bars in Paris, France.
ABOUT AVALAND
Born in 2020 from the ambition to be more than a band, AVALAND was conceived as a fully immersive, theatrical live experience. Drawing inspiration from acts such as The Alan Parsons Project, Avantasia, Winger, and Savatage – and fueled by a deep love for 80s hard rock – AVALAND blend orchestral arrangements and metal opera storytelling with dynamic rock and power metal. Adrien G. Gzagg and Jeff Kanji lead the charge with twin male lead vocals forged from steel and fire, while Lucas Martinez shoots his barrage of blazing guitar riffs into the foundation of Camille Souffron’s ferocious bass lines and Léo Mouchonay’s war drums that command the thunder and drive the rhythm. On stage, the band features between two and five voices from within as well as by varying guests, transforming each performance into a truly magical journey.
Inspired by tabletop RPGs and brought to life through monthly lore chapters published on World Anvil, the band invites listeners to follow the ongoing saga of AVALAND that unfolds across albums, songs, and story fragments – where the music is only the beginning. The lore of AVALAND is available on World Anvil, with a new fragment being revealed every month. As an RPG storymaster or player, fans can draw from the Avaland lore and have the fitting soundtrack at the same time.
Experience the World of AVALAND on World Anvil: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/avaland-metal-opera-avaland-metal-opera
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