There´s no doubt this is one of Edguy best albums. After hearing "Avantasia" we couldn´t have expected any less from Tobias Sammet. His voice is so good you should buy it just for that. But "Mandrake" is more than that, there´s galloping riffs, catchy melodies & great speedy solos. A great first track "Tears Of A Mandrake" shows exactly how a record should begin.Then a great power metal track, "Golden Dawn" full of energy and speed just Kai Hansen´s way. I have to say it isn´t Vain Glory Opera II, but it is certainly a great album with such great tracks like "The Pharao"(one of my favourites).Let´s hope Avantasia 2 is as good as this one.

Score: 8.5/10

Review by Jerec