Rock and metal powerhouse AVANTASIA have released new single “Against The Wind” from their upcoming tenth album, Here Be Dragons, out February 28, 2025 via Napalm Records! The heavy metal number features H.E.A.T. vocalist Kenny Leckremo and serves up a stone cold, solid slab of proof of just how versatile AVANTASIA’s iconic sound is.
Tobias Sammet comments, “’Against The Wind’ is an anthemic uptempo rocket that contains a lot of what AVANTASIA stands for. What I especially like about the song is the combination of speed and power, along with an uplifting and elating harmonic and melodic approach. It comes over you with sheer force, but it drags you along to a better place, it gives you strength and encourages you to stay true to yourself in adverse wind and raise the middle finger to those who want to keep you from being yourself. Musically and vocally it’s quite a demanding tune, as you need the full toolkit of a Power Metal singer, but it’s got some loose kind of Journey feeling also in certain places that require a completely different way of feeling the song. So I was looking for a vocal partner who would have metal skills and quite a range, but also understand the background of singers like Sam Cooke or Steve Perry. And I knew that Kenny Leckremo of H.e.a.t would be able to pull it off. In all modesty: I think we both sound amazing together here. I love this song!”
Watch the official lyric video for “Against The Wind” HERE.
Here Be Dragons is the most consistent and concise piece of art that the band has ever crafted, giving the celebrated AVANTASIA sound – carefully crafted over a quarter of a century – an exciting and powerful new spin. And although it features AVANTASIA essentials such as spellbinding choirs and theatrical, symphonic metal elements, multi-talented mastermind Tobias Sammet wields a few surprises up his sleeve for fans old and new.
The 10-track offering was written and composed in its entirety by Tobias Sammet, produced and recorded by Tobias Sammet together with Sascha Paeth, mixed by Sascha Paeth and mastered by Michael Rodenberg. The stunning cover art was once again created by acclaimed British fantasy artist Rodney Matthews.
Pre-order Here Be Dragons here.
