938. Avantasia / Lost in Space Part 2. 2007. 4.5/5

After Lost in Space Part 1 comes Lost in Space Part 2, and while it is a safe assumption that this could have been consolidated into one EP if it wasn't for that ability of commercialism to try and soak up every dollar from the fans out there, and ensure there is just enough on each EP to force you into buying what is essentially the same single, you will need both if you are going to satisfy your curiosity as to what has been gifted to you on this occasion.

The same lead single exists here, and in retrospect it becomes a little too sugar coated. Let's face it, if my wife can suggest that this sounds like modern day Bon Jovi, then it's a sure bet you lovers of metal out there are going to think the same thing. The song is catchy enough, and I will always sing along with it, but it really is a soft rock song, one that targets an audience that most probably has little interest in the majority of what Avantasia is about.
"Promised Land" is an interesting addition here, if only for the fact that it didn't appear on The Scarecrow, but in fact surfaced on Angel of Babylon a further two years later. Was this a deliberate plan? Or by accident did Tobi realise that it was such a good song it needed to go on an album? I don't know the answer, but it is a terrific song and bounds along here in great style. "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" is a cover of an Ultravox song, and much like the cover songs on the previous EP this is done well with great poise and energy to make it worthy of the original song. "Scary Eyes" is a non-album track, which in retrospect seems like a missed opportunity. Everything here works fine, and for me, unlike the non-album track on the first EP, "The Story Ain't Over", this has the energy and drive and up-tempo feel to hold its own in that company.
"In My Defence" is another cover, this time of a Freddie Mercury-helmed track from a musical called Time, and which I knew from The Freddie Mercury Album that came out after his death. Tobi does a pretty fair job filling the boots of the great man, and this song fits in nicely for this package. The album is then completed by a live studio acoustic recording of... yes... you guessed it... "Lost in Space", which given does sound good in this environment.

Once again, the extra material is worth the listen, as much a any EP carries. As with Part 1, it will eventually be of main interest to fans of the band who like to have their collections complete.

Rating:  "It was you who took my hand, come into the promised land"   4.5/5