Avantasia
Formed: 2000
From:
Mainz,
Germany
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Avantasia News
Below is our complete Avantasia news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Displaying records 1 - 20 of 68 1 2 3 4 Last
Gama Bomb Added To Bloodstock Lineup
There’s yet more thrash for Bloodstock with Northern Irish upstarts Gama Bomb landing an opening slot on the Ronnie James Dio mainstage. The band is looking forward to churning up the Catton Park turf, commenting:
“Bloodstock: it’s just like Woodstock, but for heavy metal types, and replacing the love and peace with chips and Carling! And Slayer! Our UK fans have been asking for this for years, and now the dream is real. So pack your tent, back up your arse with bananas and send the word – The G-Bomb are comin’ to Bloodstock!"
The band’s fourth album, "The Terror Tapes," will be released next Monday 22nd April on AFM Records. Check out the new video for "Terrorscope" right here.
British heavy metal standard bearers Beholder also step in to an early mainstage slot on Saturday. Frontman Simon Hall says “For Beholder to actually be asked to do this, without me dropping to my knees and pleading like a bitch is a true acknowledgment of where the band is right now. To be on the best Bloodstock line-up ever is something we’re not going to approach lightly, and on Saturday 10th August, let’s show the rest of the world how true British Metal fans rule all!!”
The currently announced lineup is: More...
Avantasia Streaming Full Album
The new Avantasia album “The Mystery Of Time” has officially hit stores in Europe (due out April 30th in North America), and now German newspaper BILD is hosting a full stream of the release. You can stream the album at this location (the stream is not available in all countries).
The record features ten tracks and guest stars such as Biff Byford (Saxon), Michael Kiske (Unisonic, ex-Helloween), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow, ex-Deep Purple), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Bruce Kulick (ex-Kiss, ex-Meat Loaf), Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon), Bob Catley (Magnum), Russell Gilbrook (Uriah Heep) and more.
Avantasia also has the following upcoming tour dates: More...
Avantasia Posts Additional Interview Clips
Avantasia, the brainchild of Edguy frontman Tobias Sammet, posted additional interview segments, in which Sammet discusses his collaborations with former Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske and Magnum's Bob Catley. Avantasia released the new conceptual album "The Mystery of Time" in most of Europe last week, with the album dropping on April 3rd in Sweden and on April 30th in North America. The video for "Sleepwalking" can be viewed over here, with the first round of interview segments (about Biff Byford and Joe Lynn Turner) at this location.
Check out the clip regarding the collaboration with Michael Kiske here: More...
Avantasia Posts Interview Footage
Avantasia, the brainchild of Edguy frontman Tobias Sammet, posted a couple of interview videos with Sammet discussing his collaborations with Saxon frontman Biff Byford and Ex-Deep Purple/Ex-Rainbow/Ex-Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Joe Lynn Turner. Avantasia is set to release the new conceptual album "The Mystery of Time" on the following schedule via Nuclear Blast Records:
March 29th (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Norway)
April 1st (UK, France, Benelux, Poland, Czech Rep., Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Greece)
April 2nd (Italy)
April 3rd (Sweden) and;
April 30th (North America)
The band issued a music video for the track "Sleepwalking," which can be viewed this location.
Check out the first video, featuring Sammet discussing his collaboration with Biff Byford here: More...
Avantasia Posts "Sleepwalking" Music Video
Tobias Sammet's Avantasia posted a new music video for "Sleepwalking," the first video fro the new LP "The Mystery of Time." The album is set to drop on March 29th (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Norway), April 1st (UK, France, Benelux, Poland, Czech Rep., Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Greece), April 2nd (Italy) and April 3rd (Sweden) and April 30th (North America) via Nuclear Blast.
"The Mystery of Time" features guest stars including Biff Byford (Saxon), Michael Kiske (Unisonic, ex-Helloween), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow, ex-Deep Purple), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Bruce Kulick (ex-Kiss, ex-Meat Loaf), Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon), Russell Gilbrook (Uriah Heep) and Bob Catley (Magnum), as well as the German Filmorchestra Babelsberg.
The video was produced by Oliver Sommer/AVA company and was shot in a magical forest in Germany. Check it out here: More...
Avantasia Shoots New Music Video
On March 22nd the new Avantasia single "Sleepwalking" will hit the online stores for downloading. Tobias Sammet and Avantasia have also shot a video clip for the song (check out a photo from the video shoot below).
The video was shot in a magical forest in Germany on a snowy winter‘s night. Tobias comments: "It was far below freezing. And there we were, standing in the snow storm for hours, walking through a haunted forest. It felt a bit like 'Sleepy Hollow' meets 'Brothers Grimm,' but the pictures that came out were really great and compensated for the torture." More...
Avantasia Posts Pre-Listening Album Preview
Tobias Sammet's Avantasia posted a pre-listening preview trailer for the new LP "The Mystery of Time." The album is set to drop on March 29th (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Norway), April 1st (UK, France, Benelux, Poland, Czech Rep., Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Greece), April 2nd (Italy) and April 3rd (Sweden) and April 30th (North America) via Nuclear Blast.
"The Mystery of Time" features guest appearances, which include Biff Byford (Saxon), Michael Kiske (Unisonic, ex-Helloween), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow, ex-Deep Purple), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Bruce Kulick (ex-Kiss, ex-Meat Loaf), Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon), Russell Gilbrook (Uriah Heep) and Bob Catley (Magnum), as well as the German Filmorcestra Babelsberg.
The track list for "The Mystery Of Time" is as follows:
1. Spectres
2. The Watchmakers' Dream
3. Black Orchid
4. Where Clock Hands Freeze
5. Sleepwalking
6. Savior In The Clockwork
7. Invoke The Machine (see lyric video)
8. What's Left Of Me
9. Dweller In A Dream
10. The Great Mystery
Check out the preview trailer here: More...
Avantasia Posts Lyric Video For New Track
Tobias Sammet's Avantasia posted a lyric video for the new song "Invoke the Machine." The track features Pretty Maids frontman Ronnie Atkins and will appear on the new album "Mystery of Time." The album is set to drop on March 29th (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Norway), April 1st (UK, France, Benelux, Poland, Czech Rep., Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Greece), April 2nd (Italy) and April 3rd (Sweden) via Nuclear Blast.
"The Mystery of Time" features ten tracks and guest stars such as Biff Byford (Saxon), Michael Kiske (Unisonic, ex-Helloween), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow, ex-Deep Purple), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Bruce Kulick (ex-Kiss, ex-Meat Loaf), Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon), Russell Gilbrook (Uriah Heep) and Bob Catley (Magnum), as well as the German Filmorcestra Babelsberg.
The track list is:
1. Spectres
2. The Watchmakers' Dream
3. Black Orchid
4. Where Clock Hands Freeze
5. Sleepwalking
6. Savior In The Clockwork
7. Invoke The Machine
8. What's Left Of Me
9. Dweller In A Dream
10. The Great Mystery
Check out "Invoke the Machine" here: More...
Ten More Bands Confirmed For Bloodstock 2013
The organisers of Britain's, Bloodstock Open Air festival have announced a further ten bands for this year's edition of the event, including Bay Area thrash metal legends Exodus and Death Angel, as well as 3 Inches Of Blood, Scar Symmetry, Dying Fetus, Xerath, Bloodbound, Vanderbuyst, Scarab and The Prophecy. The event will take place at Catton Park from August 8 - 11th and will be headlined by Slayer, King Diamond and Lamb of God.
King Diamond (Headliner)
Lamb Of God (Headliner)
Slayer (Headliner)
3 Inches Of Blood
Amorphis
Accept
Anthrax
Avantasia
Bloodbound
Dark Funeral
Death Angel
Devildriver
Dying Fetus
Ex Deo
Exodus
Firewind
Fozzy
Hell
Kataklysm
Municipal Waste
Negligence
The Prophecy
Scar Symmetry
Scarab
Vanderbuyst
Whitechapel
Xerath
Magnum Vocalist To Join Avantasia On Tour
Avantasia announced that Magnum vocalist Bob Catley will guest on the new "Mystery of Time" album due out this March. Catley will duet with Tobias Sammet on the track "The Great Mystery." In the video announcement below, Catley also indicated he will joine Avantasia on the upcoming world tour in support of the new release.
Catley joins a myriad of guest starts to appear on the album, including: Biff Byford (Saxon), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween/Unisonic), Bruce Kulick (ex-KISS/ex-Meatloaf), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids),Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon/Ex-Vengeance) and legendary former Deep Purple, Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Joe Lynn Turner.
Check out the video here: More...
Avantasia Reveals "The Mystery Of Time" Art
After announcing a series of guest musicians to appear on the album, Avantasia has now unveiled the cover artwork for new release "The Mystery of Time."
Check out the artwork below, created by British fantasy artist Rodney Matthews. Tobias Sammet of Avantasia comments:
“It is a great honour for me to have Rodney create the artwork of ‘The Mystery Of Time.‘ Since the new album is a conceptual album and its story has a magical and enchanting atmosphere, there was no other painter I could think of to create the artwork. I've had several creative conversations with Rodney during the process and I had the feeling that the concept was inspiring to him right from the start.
"I put a lot of energy into producing a very detailed and fascinating album, and Rodney had that same enthusiasm to create an artwork just as detailed and fascinating. This is a new chapter in Avantasia's history and I think it didn't deserve less than a magical painting by my favorite painter and childhood hero: The one and only Rodney Matthews!" More...
Joe Lynn Turner Named Latest Avantasia Guest
After Biff Byford (Saxon), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween/Unisonic), Bruce Kulick (ex-KISS/ex-Meatloaf), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids) and Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon/Ex-Vengeance), Tobias Sammet has announced another guest star for the forthcoming new Avantasia LP in legendary former Deep Purple, Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Joe Lynn Turner.
In addition, the track listing for the "Mystery of Time" LP, due out in March, has been revealed to be:
1. Spectres
2. The Watchmakers' Dream
3. Black Orchid
4. Where Clock Hands Freeze
5. Sleepwalking
6. Savior In The Clockwork
7. Invoke The Machine
8. What's Left Of Me
9. Dweller In A Dream
10. The Great Mystery
Eric Martin Named As Latest Avantasia Guest
Avantasia announced that the latest addition in a line of guest appearances will be Mr. Big vocalist Eric Martin. Martin will sing a duet with Tobias Sammet on the "Mystery of Time" LP, due out in March.
Recently, the band announced the following guest appearances: Pretty Maids vocalist Ronnie Atkins, Ayeron mastermind Arjen Lucassen, Saxon's Biff Byford, former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick, Unisonic/Ex-Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske and the German Filmorchestra Babelsberg.
Check out Eric Martin's introduction video here: More...
Avantasia Taps Pretty Maids Vocalist Atkins
Avantasia mastermind Tobias Sammet announced the next special guest for the forthcoming LP "The Mystery of Time," this time its Pretty Maids vocalist Ronnie Atkins. The announcement reads as follows:
"After Biff Byford (Saxon), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween, Unisonic), Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, ex-Vengeance), Bruce Kulick (Grand Funk Railroad, ex-KISS, ex-Meat Loaf) and the German Filmorchestra Babelsberg another participent can now be announced: It's Pretty Maids vocalist Ronnie Atkins who will sing a role on the new Avantasia Metal Opera "The Mystery Of Time" (out in March 2013)."
Tobias commented on the addition of Atkins: "I have been a huge Pretty Maids fan since I was a teenager. I already asked Ronnie to be on the Metal Opera in 1999, but he was busy back then. Last year I saw Pretty Maids live, and they were a steam train on stage, unbelievable. After the show we met and Ronnie was a great guy. Finally after 13 years, I am really proud to have him on the new Avantasia album. And his kick-ass performance leaves no doubt: It was a great decision to ask him!" More...
Arjen Lucassen To Guest On Avantasia Album
Avantasia founder Tobias Sammet has announced the next guest on the band's upcoming CD will be Arjen A. Lucassen (Ayreon, ex-Vengeance). Sammet comments:
"To me he used to be what John D. Rockerduck is to Scrooge McDuck: An adamant long time rival; in our case when it comes to producing Rock Operas. Well, if you can't beat your enemy make him your ally! And so I opened the door and literally invited pestilence into my world, ha!
"Seriously, the truth is that the 'pestilence' I'm talking about is really one of the nicest, coolest and loveliest plagues I've ever come to know, an ambitious artist through and through and a real great guitar player. So, having just come back from a shopping tour in 2912 - where apparently he found himself a brand new pair of bad-ass pants & boots - he went into the studio to record some additional lead guitar for the forthcoming Avantasia album 'The Mystery Of Time:' Ayreon mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen."
In March 2013 the new Avantasia Rock Opera "The Mystery Of Time" will be released on CD and vinyl. The album is going to feature guest stars such as Biff Byford (Saxon), Michael Kiske (Unisonic, ex-Helloween), Bruce Kulick (ex-Kiss, ex-Meat Loaf), Russell Gilbrook (Uriah Heep), Arjen A. Lucassen (Ayreon, ex-Vengeance) and the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg. More musicians will be announced soon. More...
Avantasia Posts New Studio Report, First Sounds
Avantasia, the brainchild of Edguy frontman Tobias Sammet, posted a new studio report on the recording of the new LP "The Mystery of Time." The album is set to drop in March of 2013. In the video, the band works with a symphony orchestra and reveals the first sounds of the album, featuring former Helloween singer Michael Kiske (Unisonic).
Check out the report here:
Slayer To Headline Bloodstock 2013
American thrash metal legends Slayer has been confirmed as the third and final headliner for next year's edition of the Bloodstock Open Air festival in Derbyshire, England. The event will take place at Catton Park from August 8 - 11th and will also be headlined by King Diamond and Lamb of God. A statement from Slayer guitarist Kerry King reads: "Can't wait to hit the stage at Bloodstock! Metal Festival in England? Fuck yes!! It's going to be hell on earth and I'm looking forward to having a party with all my British friends."
The organisers of the festival added: "We are thrilled to announce that seminal thrash metal legends, SLAYER are confirmed as the third and final headliner for Bloodstock 2013. The Californian four-piece will close the Ronnie James Dio stage on Sunday night at Catton Park, bringing their face-melting, monster riffs to the metal hordes."
The lineup for the festival is now as follows: More...
Avantasia Reveals New Album Title
Tobias Sammet has issued the following announcement about the upcoming new Avantasia album:
"Today we have breathtaking news for all AVANTASIANS: The new album will be called 'AVANTASIA - THE MYSTERY OF TIME,' and as previously reported is set for release in March.
"Immediately after the release of this new Metal Opera, based on a story written by Tobias Sammet, the band will embark on a full-fledged indoor-tour, during which the band and special guests will bring the epic undertaking to the stage. Check the official website for more."
It was also previously announced that guitarist Bruce Kulick will make a guest appearance on "The Mystery of Time," and the album is expected out in March, 2013.
Bruce Kulick Guesting On New Avantasia Album
To rock fans and musicians alike Bruce Kulick made himself a name as the guitarist of Meat Loaf during the "Bat Out Of Hell" tour in 1978. After that he also joined Michael Bolton, but it wasn't until the mid eighties that he gained worldwide notoriety by joining Kiss during the unmasked era for a relationship that was to last twelve years. In those years he put his lead guitar stamp on hits such as "Crazy, Crazy Nights" and "God Gave Rock'n Roll To You."
Bruce has just been in the studio to record some lead guitar tracks for the forthcoming Rock Opera of Tobias Sammet‘s Avantasia project, due out in March 2013. Bruce had already appeared on the previous Avantasia album while Tobias sang guest vocals on Bruce‘s last solo album “BK3,“ which featured guests such as Gene Simmons of KISS and Steve Lukather of Toto.
Tobias says: “Bruce and I have been friends for some years now, he is a lovely person and an amazing guitarist. It was really obvious I would ask him to come on-board for Avantasia once again. Two of the tracks he plays on are more than 10 minutes long, and they include screaming and whammy-bar driven stuff as well as anthemic Meat Loafish type melodies. I love it because it's got such an old school quality, and Bruce just has it! Class act!“
Avantasia will also hit the stages again in April 2013, right after the release of the new CD.
Tobias' tour management is currently working on a headlining indoor tour for Avantasia in April. The group will also play a few chosen summer festivals, and a South American and Asian tour is planned for late summer.
Avantasia Lining Up Headlining Tour
Avantasia, which entered the studio back in October, has now announced an upcoming headlining tour kicking off in April, 2013. The trek is also slated to include summer festivals and shows in South America and Asia. Tobias Sammet comments:
"I know I once said we weren't gonna do it again, but then I don‘t see a reason to let this die. I wanna put on the biggest thing you have ever seen, I wanna bring more vocalists, play longer shows, and just make it a giant Rock Opera. I love to headline festivals, you run over people in 90 minutes and kick ass. But I also like to do our own Avantasia indoor tour because we can make it much more Avantasia oriented and play almost three hours without caring about anything else but Avantasia.
"So we said, we have to do a giant indoor tour as well, and it's going to happen in April. I am so looking forward to it. The stage designer has just showed me his stage and light design, and it looks absolutely killer. It will be huge. 2013 will be a major year for Avantasia, and people don't have a clue how big things are actually going to be! I am very excited - the album will be amazingly epic, and the tour will be too!"
Tour dates will be announced soon through the Tobias Sammet official website.
