U.S., Canada Dates Announced By Avantasia

Avantasia - the band created by Edguy frontman Tobi Sammet - announced that the band will make its long awaited U.S. debut this April on the "Ghostlights" tour, which will also include the second appearance in Canada. A review for "Ghostlights" can be found at this location.

Slated to appear at the shows are: Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween/Kiske-Somerville), Jorn Lande (ex-MasterPlan/Allen-Lande), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Amanda Somerville (Trillium/Kiske-Somerville), Herbie Langhans (Sinbreed/Beyond the Bridge), Sascha Paeth (ex-Heaven's Gate), Oliver Hartmann (Hartmann) and more.

The show was joint effort of Infinity Concerts (ProgPower USA promoter Milton Mendonca), T Presents and Overload. Tickets for the New York City show will go on sale on Saturday, January 16th at this location.

Sammet commented: "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: Toronto and New York confirmed, West Coast show in the works. Unfortunately Bob [Cately] 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!"

Confirmed dates are as follows:

APRIL 13 - CANADA - Toronto, Queen Elizabeth Theater
APRIL 15 - USA - New York, Playstation Theater

Here's a little clip from the last Avantasia show in Canada at the Festival d'été de Québec in 2013 (check out the gallery of pics from the event at this location):