French metal-opera outfit AVALAND return with “Chemical Poetry”, a sweeping collision of symphonic power metal, theatrical storytelling and old-school melodic rock grandeur. Big choirs, heroic hooks and a stacked guest cast turn the album into something closer to a stage production with amplifiers than a conventional metal record.
“Chemical Poetry” continues the fantasy saga AVALAND began with “Theater Of Sorcery” and expanded on “The Legend Of The Storyteller”, but the musical palette feels broader this time. The band still works with the DNA of AVANTASIA and classic symphonic power metal, yet there are plenty of hard-rock curves, progressive details and flashes of that dramatic ’80s melodic style running underneath.
“When The Night Comes Alive” opens the gates with Tom Englund bringing his unmistakable dark tone into the mix, while “Destiny Calls” and “Alchemy” push the record toward brighter, more melodic territory with Madie adding another strong voice to the cast.
“Beauties And Beasts” plays with contrast exactly as the title suggests, matching elegance against heavier riffing, while “To Fool A Witch” is one of the album’s most theatrical pieces. Helle Bohdanova gives it extra bite, and the song moves between power-metal drive, progressive detail and almost cinematic drama.
“Fate” stretches out into a more ambitious arrangement before the short “Ascension” acts as a bridge into “Sail On”, one of the album’s most immediate and uplifting moments. From there, “Face The Eternal” turns darker again, with Helle Bohdanova and producer Joost van den Broek helping build one of the record’s most imposing vocal exchanges.
“Trinity” brings Marcela Bovio and Helle Bohdanova together for another richly layered piece, while “Fallen Leaves” gives Tom Englund another chance to add some autumnal melancholy to all the orchestral thunder. “Faded Away” closes the album with a more emotional finish, letting the curtain fall rather than simply smashing into the final chord.
What makes “Chemical Poetry” work is the balance between spectacle and melody. AVALAND are clearly aiming big, but the songs are not buried under the concept. Beneath the choirs, characters and orchestral drama are choruses built to stick, guitar lines with real bite and enough melodic instinct to keep the whole opera moving.
Country: France
Label: Storytium SAS
Genre: Symphonic Power Metal / Melodic Heavy Metal / Metal Opera
Release date: October 30, 2026
Format: CD / Digital
Total time: 63:40
Tracklist:
01 – When The Night Comes Alive (feat. Tom Englund)
02 – Destiny Calls (feat. Madie)
03 – Alchemy (feat. Madie)
04 – Beauties And Beasts (feat. Madie & Tom Englund)
05 – To Fool A Witch (feat. Helle Bohdanova)
06 – Fate (feat. Madie)
07 – Ascension
08 – Sail On
09 – 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
Adrien G. Gzagg – Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Orchestrations
Jeff Kanji – Lead Vocals
Lucas Martinez – Guitar
Camille Souffron – Bass
Leo Mouchonay – Drums
Produced and mixed by Joost van den Broek
Mastered by Darius van Helfteren
Artwork by Stan W. Decker
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