Edguy frontman Tobias Sammet‘s Avantasia project will play three North American shows in April:
11-04 – House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA
13-04 – Queen Elizabeth Theater – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
15-04 – Playstation Theater – New York, NY
Commented Sammet: “Great news , my North American friends: we’re coming back! You know, the few memories I have of our last Avantasia show in Canada are a bit blurry. Back then, I went from hospital right to the stage as I had some real mean flu. I was so high on whatever medication the doctor gave me to make the show, all I remember are the green little creatures in my dressing room that were calling me names but always disappeared under the sofa whenever I tried to catch them to confront them with their silly behavior… Now, looking at the video, I sounded quite a bit awful, ha! But I’ve been told I was funny and a very happy person that night.
“And I am happy to say we’ll be back — in great shape. Unfortunately Bob [Catley] won’t be able to join us for the dates outside Europe as he will be off on a Magnum tour, but we’ll bring Michi Kiske, Jorn Lande, Eric Martin, Ronnie Atkins, Amanda Somerville, Herbie Langhans, Sascha Paeth, Olli Hartmann and me, of course… And Miro. And Andre on bass… And as if that wasn’t enough, on drums, there will be no other than… THE DRUMMER!!! Can’t wait to hit the stage!”
Avantasia has promised to take the fans to a magical world all its own, with a setlist that embraces its entire history, from “The Metal Opera” to “Ghostlights” and everything in between.
Avantasia will release its seventh studio album, “Ghostlights”, on January 29 via Nuclear Blast. The twelve-song CD was produced by Tobias and Sascha Paeth at Gatestudio in Wolfsburg, Germany. Paeth engineered and mixed “Ghostlights”, while the mastering was done by Michael Rodenberg.
Avantasia released a new digital single, ‘Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose’, on December 11.
The opus features guest appearances by:
* Dee Snider (Twisted Sister)
* Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche)
* Marco Hietala (Nightwish)
* Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation)
* Michael Kiske (Helloween)Video below:
* Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids)
* Bob Catley (Magnum)
* Jorn Lande (Masterplan)
* Bruce Kulick (Kiss)
* Robert Mason (Warrant)
* Herbie Langhans (Seventh Avenue, Sinbreed)
* Oliver Hartmann
* Sascha Paeth
The instrumentalists on “Ghostlights” are as follows:
* Sascha Paeth – rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, additional keys
* Michael Rodenberg – orchestration, keys
* Tobias Sammet – additional keys and bass
* Bruce Kulick – lead guitar
* Oliver Hartmann – lead guitar
* Felix Bohnke – drums
Upcoming Shows:
GHOSTLIGHTS WORLD TOUR 2016
(more dates tba soon)
04.03. D – Berlin – Huxley’s*
05.03. D – Hamburg – Große Freiheit* – SOLD OUT!!
06.03. D – Bremen – Aladin*
08.03. UK – London – The Forum*
09.03. F – Paris – Le Trianon*
11.03. E – Barcelona – Razzmatazz 1*
12.03. E – Madrid – La Riviera* – SOLD OUT!!
13.03. E – Madrid – La Riviera*
15.03. D – Frankfurt-Langen – Stadthalle*
16.03. CZ – Prague – Forum Karlin*
18.03. D – Kaufbeuren – All-Karthalle*
19.03. D – Bamberg – Brose-Arena*
20.03. D – Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle*
22.03. I – Milan – Alcatraz*
24.03. CH – Pratteln – Z7*
25.03. CH – Pratteln – Z7*
27.03. SK – Banska Bystrica – Ice Stadium*
28.03. SK – Bratislava – Sportshall*
29.03. A – Tröpolach – Full Metal Mountain Festival
31.03. D – Saarbrücken – Saarlandhalle*
01.04. D – Ludwigsburg – Arena*
02.04. D – Fulda – Esperantohalle*
04.04. H – Budapest – Baba Negra*
06.04. RUS – Moscow – Ray Just Arena*
09.04. JP – Tokyo – Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball*
11-04 – House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA
13-04 – Queen Elizabeth Theater – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
15-04 – Playstation Theater – New York, NY
24.04. BRA – Sao Paulo – Espaco das Americas*
08.-11.06. S – Sölvesborg – Sweden Rock Festival
01.-03.07. FIN – Helsinki – Tuska Open Air
06.07. D – Flugplatz Ballenstedt – RockHarz Open Air
*AVANTASIA play at least three hours, no other bands!
Weblinks: Website / Facebook / Twitter
Video below: “Ghostlights” (Teaser)
Video below: ‘Mystery of a Blood Red Rose’