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Avaland is a new entity from France, the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/composer Adrien G. Gzagg, and the band's debut album is called Theater of Sorcery. As the band name and title imply, it is a symphonic metal record and though Gzagg is only 22 years old, you'd never guess from the great sound and overall solid songwriting it contains. Gzagg has brought in a multitude of guest singers to play the different roles in the tale he's spinning, including Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Emmanuelson (Rising Steel) and Madie (Nightmare), so Theater of Sorcery is similar to Avantasia in that respect. He has also brought in guest guitarists like Ricky Marx (ex-Pretty Maids) and Stephane Forté (Adagio) among others to complement his own playing. What is most remarkable about this album is how such a young musician has brought everything together and made it sound very pro. From the bombast of "Theater of Sorcery," which opens the album, to the epic culmination of the story on closer "Rise from the Ashes," it never bogs down and remains thoroughly enjoyable for its entire 62+ minutes. It is the kind of album you can get lost in, whether you are picking out elements of the story or enjoying the different vocal (and guitar) approaches. Theater of Sorcery doesn't break any new ground in symphonic metal, but when written and played this well, albums don't have to. If you like Avantasia, Ancient Bards, Dragonland and acts like that, Avaland is a band you'll want to check out pronto.