Tobias Sammet’s all-star Avantasia project lit up London’s legendary Roundhouse with a nearly three-hour masterclass of melodic Power Metal. The ecstatic crowd went wild on an unsurpassable journey of timeless classics and fantastic new tracks. New line up? No problem. New album? Nailed. Flaming grand piano? Naturally.
Avantasia
Here Be Dragons Tour – Roundhouse, London – 24 March 2025
Words: Johnny Churchill
Photography: Robert Sutton
Opening with Creepshow, from their latest album, Here Be Dragons, Avantasia introduced six fresh tracks that justified Tobi’s unwavering faith in his new material. Each song unleashed soaring soundscapes and vocal fireworks.
The debut of Kamelot’s Tommy Karevik on this tour brought elegance, depth, and power to The Witch and the album’s gorgeous, soaring title track.
Meanwhile, H.E.A.T.’s Kenny Leckremo cranked up the energy to stratospheric levels during Against The Wind, with Adrienne Cowen and Ronnie Atkins shining individually on Avalon and Phantasmagoria.
That is enough vocal prowess to power a stadium, but Avantasia never stops at greatness – they shoot for the stars! Herbie Langhans crushed Jorn Lande’s usual roars on Devil In The Belfry, a highlight among five tracks from the much-loved Scarecrow album.
Deep cuts from Angel Of Babylon and The Wicked Symphony rounded out a setlist straight from fans wildest dreams, with the crowd enthusiastically belting out every word.
Eric Martin captured hearts with his emotive What’s Left of Me from The Mystery of Time, but it was Bob Cately’s guest appearance for The Story Ain’t Over which stole the moment, receiving an outpouring of love from the packed house.
And as always, the story certainly was not over. Despite the curfew clock ticking, Tobi just pressed the accelerator with Let The Storm Descend – a jaw-dropping ten minutes of vocal power from Herbie, Ronnie and Tobi, who was in exceptional voice all night. 
Ronnie Atkins stepped up again for a mesmerising Scarecrow and Tommy and Kenny got a fresh workout on Wicked Symphony, with Kenny and Herbie performing the grandiose epic Shelter From The Rain.
Twisted Mind, The Toymaster, and Death Is Just A Feeling segued into the grand, over-the-top finale. As the night climaxed, flaming piano in tow, Lucifer from Ghostlights delivered an unforgettable end to an unforgettable night.
A slightly late start meant ballad Lost In Space had to be dropped before the usual all-star ending of Sign Of The Cross / Seven Angels.
But Avantasia are not just about voices. The band, led by Sascha Paeth, dazzled throughout. New-ish guitarist Arne Wiegand shredded like a rockstar, Miro’s keyboard magic enhanced every song, and Andre Neygenfind’s bass grooves paired perfectly with Felix Bohnke’s drum mastery.
And so, the circus leaves town, with the incomparable Tobias Sammet at its helm—an entertainer born to dazzle and captivate. Avantasia is more than music; It is pure escapism and brilliance. Almost six years have passed since their last London show, and we can only hope their next return comes sooner.
Until then, we bid farewell, carried by echoes of their extraordinary journey to Avalon.
Avantasia – Here Be Dragons Tour – Setlist
Creepshow
Reach Out For The Light, with Adrienne Cowen
The Witch, with Tommy Karevik
Devil In The Belfry, with Herbie Langhans
Phantasmagoria, with Ronnie Atkins
What’s Left Of Me, with Eric Martin
Dying For An Angel, with Eric Martin
Against The Wind, with Kenny Leckremo
Here Be Dragons, with Tommy Karevik
The Story Ain’t Over, with Bob Catley
Avalon, with Adrienne Cowen
Let The Storm Descend Upon You, with Herbie Langhans and Ronnie Atkins
Promised Land with Ronnie Atkins and Eric Martin. (No Tobi)
The Toymaster
Twisted Mind, with Ronnie Atkins and Eric Martin (No Tobi)
The Wicked Symphony, with Tommy Karevik and Kenny Leckremo (No Tobi)
Shelter From The Rain, with Herbie Langhans and Kenny Leckremo (No Tobi)
Farewell, with Chiara Tricarico
The Scarecrow, with Ronnie Atkins
Death Is Just A Feeling
Lucifer
Sign Of The Cross / The Seven Angels, with everyone.
