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Avantasia

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Biography

Avantasia was an all-star side project headed by Tobias Sammet, lead singer of the prog-tinged German power metal band Edguy. While recording a guest appearance from Blind Guardian singer Hansi Kursch with his regular band, Sammet conceived of a massive-scale rock opera featuring the cream of the current power metal scene. He spent a year composing the material, named the "band" Avantasia, and recruited a variety of vocalists to tell his story: Gamma Ray's Kai Hansen, Stratovarius' Timo Tolkki, Virgin Steele's David DeFeis, Angra's Andre Matos, Warrior's Rob Rock, and Within Temptation's Sharon Den Adel. For the backing band, Sammet gathered guitarists Jens Ludwig (Edguy) and Henjo Richter (Gamma Ray), bassist Markus Grosskopf (Helloween), and drummer Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody). The album, The Metal Opera, was filled with tried-and-true fantasy themes and anthemic, progressive pomp-metal; it was released by Century Media in the summer of 2001 and was followed by the sequel, The Metal Opera II, the following year in 2002. The band returned years later with their Scarecrow Saga, a three album piece consisting of The Scarecrow, released in 2008, and The Wicked Symphony and Angel of Babylon, both released in 2010. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi
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Avantasia

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For other uses, see Avantasia (disambiguation).
Avantasia

Avantasia in Fulda, Germany - December 12, 2010
Background information
Origin Germany
Genres Symphonic power metal, heavy metal, hard rock.
Years active 1999–present
Labels AFM, Nuclear Blast
Associated acts Edguy, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Andre Matos, At Vance, Magnum, Stratovarius, Rhapsody Of Fire, Virgin Steele, Within Temptation, Impellitteri, Masterplan, Aina, Symphony X, Scorpions, Kiss, Kamelot, Epica, Revolution Renaissance, Place Vendome, Savatage, Jon Oliva's Pain, Yngwie Malmsteen, Heavens Gate
Website www.tobiassammet.com
Members
Tobias Sammet
Eric Singer
Sascha Paeth
Miro
Past members
See: Members

Avantasia is a heavy metal/power metal supergroup project created by Tobias Sammet, vocalist and frontman of the band Edguy. The project's title is a portmanteau of the words "avalon" and "fantasia" ("fantasy") and describes "a world beyond human imagination" (a quotation from the booklet). The project consists of a self-titled single, two full-length albums with the subtitle The Metal Opera, two EPs called Lost in Space, and Scarecrow trilogy, composed of The Scarecrow, The Wicked Symphony and Angel of Babylon.

Contents

History

"The Metal Operas" (1999–2002)

In Spring 1999, during Theater of Salvation tour, Tobias Sammet began to write down his ideas for a metal opera, a concept album with many guest musicians. When the tour was finished, he carried this plan out, recruiting well-known metal players like ex-Helloween singer Michael Kiske, Andre Matos, Kai Hansen, and Rob Rock (ex Axel Rudi Pell, ex Angelica, ex Warrior, Driver, Impellitteri). The project was recorded with a core band of four members - Sammet playing keyboards and arranging orchestration, Henjo Richter playing guitar, Markus Grosskopf playing bass, and Alex Holzwarth on drums. In 2001, the self-titled single and the first full-length album, The Metal Opera, was released. The project was completed in September 2002 with the release of The Metal Opera Part II.

"The Scarecrow" (2006–08)

At the end of 2006, Sammet confirmed the rumours of a third Avantasia album, due for release in 2008. On March 24, 2007, the name was confirmed to be "The Scarecrow".[1] The Scarecrow is a new story, unrelated to the previous, and tells of a lonely scarecrow seeking company in friends. The album was released on January 25, 2008, and includes special guests Rudolf Schenker, Sascha Paeth, drummer Eric Singer, and singers Bob Catley, Jørn Lande, Michael Kiske, Alice Cooper, Roy Khan, Amanda Somerville and Oliver Hartmann.[1]

"The Scarecrow World Tour" (2008)

After the release of the The Scarecrow, Tobias Sammet was invited to do a headling show at Wacken Open Air, to which producer/guitarist Sascha Paeth contributed in convincing Sammet. That led to 13 shows between July 5 and August 13. Shows on Masters of Rock and Wacken Open Air were recorded and a live DVD The Flying Opera based on the footage was released later in March 2011.

"The Wicked Symphony" & "Angel of Babylon" (2009–10)

In November 2009, Sammet announced the release of two new albums, The Wicked Symphony and Angel of Babylon, to be released on April 3, 2010.[2] The story is set as a continuation of The Scarecrow album and these three albums together are often referred to as The Wicked Trilogy.[3] Some of the special guests include: drummers Eric Singer, Alex Holzwarth and Felix Bohnke, keyboardist Jens Johansson of Stratovarius, as well as vocalists Michael Kiske, Bob Catley, Jørn Lande, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Klaus Meine, Russell Allen, Andre Matos and Jon Oliva.[4]

"The Metal Opera Comes to Town Tour" (2010–11)

Avantasia 2010, Kaufbeuren (Germany)

Short (and the first Avantasia-only) tour was done during December 2010, with the exception of one concert at the Wacken Open Air festival in August 2011. The concerts lasted for almost three hours and many of them were sold out days before.[5] The ensemble was almost the same as on The Scarecrow Tour in 2008, with just a minor changes. Amanda Somerville was the only female vocalist. Cloudy Yang, who was singing alongside Amanda during the 2008 tour, did not appear on the stage this time. The second change in the ensemble was missing Andre Matos, who was replaced by ex-Helloween singer Michael Kiske. With Kai Hansen also participating on this tour, there was a lot of moments when two ex-Helloween singers shared the same stage singing together.

Both tours were closely documented by Amanda Somerville on her YouTube channel.[6] The videos show various interesting backstage moments such as rehearsals, cancelled flights, or the ensemble travelling by a regular train.

Members

Current members/The Wicked Trilogy

  • Tobias Sammet
    • Lead vocals (1999–present)
    • Bass guitar (2007–present)
    • Keyboards (1999–2002)
  • Sascha Paeth
    • Guitars (2006–present)
    • Producer (2006–present)
  • Eric Singer
    • Drums (2002, 2006–present)
    • Vocals (2007)
  • Miro
    • Keyboards (2006–present)
    • Orchestration (2006–present)

The Metal Opera members

The Scarecrow World Tour (2008)

The Metal Opera Comes to Town Tour (2010)

Avantasia 2010, Stockholm (Sweden)

Vocalists

Vocalist Associated bands Avantasia The Metal Opera The Metal Opera Part II Lost in Space Part I Lost in Space Part II The Scarecrow The Wicked Symphony Angel of Babylon
Tobias Sammet Edguy all tracks all tracks all tracks all tracks all tracks all tracks all tracks all tracks, except track 8 (Symphony of Life)
Michael Kiske Helloween, Place Vendome, Kiske/Somerville Reach Out for the Light Reach Out for the Light, Breaking Away, Farewell, Avantasia, The Tower The Seven Angels, No Return Promised Land, Lost in Space The Scarecrow, Shelter from the Rain, What Kind of Love Wastelands, Runaway Train Stargazers
David DeFeis Virgin Steele Final Sacrifice Serpents in Paradise, The Tower The Seven Angels, The Final Sacrifice
Ralf Zdiarstek Malleus Maleficarum, The Glory of Rome Memory Black Wings
Sharon den Adel Within Temptation Farewell Into the Unknown
Rob Rock ex-Axel Rudi Pell, ex-Angelica, ex-Warrior, Driver, Impellitteri The Glory of Rome The Seven Angels, Neverland
Oliver Hartmann At Vance The Glory of Rome, Sign of the Cross, The Tower The Seven Angels I Don't Believe in Your Love Stargazers
Andre Matos ex-Shaaman, ex-Angra, ex-Viper, Symfonia Inside, Sign of the Cross, The Tower The Seven Angels, No Return, Chalice of Agony Blizzard On a Broken Mirror
Kai Hansen Gamma Ray, Helloween Inside, Sign of the Cross The Seven Angels, Chalice of Agony
Timo Tolkki Stratovarius, Revolution Renaissance, Symfonia The Tower The Seven Angels
Bob Catley Magnum The Looking Glass, In Quest for The Story Ain't Over Shelter from the Rain, Cry Just a Little Runaway Train Journey to Arcadia
Jørn Lande Masterplan, Ark, Jorn Another Angel Down Promised Land The Scarecrow, Another Angel Down, Devil in the Belfry The Wicked Symphony, Runaway Train, Crestfallen, Forever is a Long Time Stargazers, Angel of Babylon, Rat Race, Down in the Dark, Alone I Remember, Promised Land
Amanda Somerville Aina, Kiske/Somerville Lost in Space, The Story Ain't Over Lost in Space, Lost in Space What Kind of Love, Lost in Space
Roy Khan Conception, Kamelot Twisted Mind
Alice Cooper The Toy Master
Eric Singer Kiss, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper Ride the Sky
Russell Allen Symphony X The Wicked Symphony, States of Matter Stargazers, Journey to Arcadia
Jon Oliva Savatage, Jon Oliva's Pain Death is Just a Feeling
Klaus Meine Scorpions Dying for an Angel
Tim "Ripper" Owens Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Judas Priest, ex-Iced Earth Scales of Justice
Cloudy Yang Symphony of Life

Musicians

Musician Associated bands Avantasia The Metal Opera The Metal Opera Part II Lost in Space Part I Lost in Space Part II The Scarecrow The Wicked Symphony Angel of Babylon
Tobias Sammet Edguy Keyboards (all) Keyboards (all) Keyboards (all)
Bass (10)		 Bass (all) Bass (all) Bass (all) Bass (all) Bass (all)
Henjo Richter Gamma Ray Guitars (all) Guitars (all) Guitars (all) Lead guitar (3) Lead guitar (2, 3, 4) Lead guitar (2, 3, 6, 7, 8) Lead guitar (10)
Markus Grosskopf Helloween Bass (all) Bass (all) Bass (all)
Eddy Wrapiprou Edguy Keyboards (all)
Alex Holzwarth Rhapsody of Fire, Angra Drums (all) Drums (all) Drums (all) Drums (3, 7, 8, 10) Drums (1, 2, 3, 11)
Jens Ludwig Edguy Lead guitar (12, 13) Lead guitar (5, 9)
Norman Meiritz Acoustic guitar (6) Rhythm guitar (10)
Frank Tischer Piano (11) Piano (1, 4, 7)
Timo Tolkki Stratovarius, Revolution Renaissance, Symfonia Lead guitar (1, 10)
Sascha Paeth Aina, Heavens Gate, Kamelot Guitars (all) Guitars (all) Guitars (all) Guitars (all) Guitars (all)
Eric Singer KISS, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper Drums (10) Drums (all) Drums (all) Drums (all) Drums (2, 4, 6) Drums (5, 7, 9, 10)
Michael "Miro" Rodenberg Aina, Kamelot Keyboards (all) Keyboards (all) Keyboards (all) Keyboards (all) Keyboards (all)
Kai Hansen Gamma Ray, Helloween Lead guitar (3)
Rudolph Schenker Scorpions Lead guitar (10)
Jens Johansson Stratovarius, Yngwie Malmsteen Keyboards (2)
Bruce Kulick Kiss Lead guitar (6, 11) Lead guitar (5, 9, 11)
Oliver Hartmann At Vance Lead guitar (2, 8) Lead guitar (1, 2, 3)
Felix Bohnke Edguy Drums (1, 5, 9 11) Drums (4, 6, 8)
Simon Oberender Organ (11) Organ (9)

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

EPs

Singles

Compilations

References

  1. ^ Tobias Sammet :: Avantasia :: Official Web[dead link]
  2. ^ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET - AVANTASIA: New Album Titles Announced". Roadrunnerrecords.com. 2009-11-19. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=130495. Retrieved 2011-09-02. 
  3. ^ "Avantasia Book - The Wicked Trilogy". Facebook.com. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=322686963566. Retrieved 2011-08-07. 
  4. ^ "Avantasia :: Official Web". Tobias Sammet. 2009-09-12. http://www.tobiassammet.com/eng/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1252800484&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2&. Retrieved 2011-08-07. 
  5. ^ "Avantasia :: Official Web". Tobias Sammet. http://www.tobiassammet.com/eng/index.php?start_from=4&ucat=&archive=&subaction=&id=&. Retrieved 2011-08-07. 
  6. ^ amandasomerville (2011-03-16). "Channel of user amandasomerville". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/amandasomerville. Retrieved 2011-08-07. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Avantasia
Tobias Sammet's Avantasia
Studio albums
Live albums
Singles/EPs
Compilations
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