Avantasia announce new album GHOSTLIGHTS & world tour early 2016 - EP this Autumn

[Power_Metal_Dom]

The original is back! EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet has returned to the studio to work on the new chapter of AVANTASIA. The sequel to the successful latest album "The Mystery Of Time" (2013, charting in 16 countries in Europe, Asia and America, including #2 in Germany) will be called "Ghostlights" and is scheduled to be released in early 2016. An EP/ single is also planned to be released this autumn, and in March 2016 a giant all-star ensemble will set off on the GHOSTLIGHTS WORLD TOUR.

Tobias Sammet: "In the past months I've spent a lot of time in the studio, an odd recluse in the basement, secretly working obsessively on something that reads and feels and sounds like a new - very strong - chapter in the story of AVANTASIA. I must say AVANTASIA is a fantastic outlet for creativity, and it's truly inspiring to create a piece of music for so many great vocalists and instrumentalists."

The new material is very bombastic and dynamic, and even though it's extremely diverse, every minute of it sounds like AVANTASIA. I'm really proud of what we're creating right now. And as if that wasn't enough: I'm anxiously looking forward to hitting the road again. I didn't necessarily expect this to happen as in the past it has always been difficult to align the individual schedules of the guest stars, but things have worked out, and we're ready to make it happen one more time! We'll put on a big show, we're gonna play over three hours, and we'll take the fans to a magical world all its own - to AVANTASIA. The live setlist is going to embrace the entire history of AVANTASIA, from "The Metal Opera" to "Ghostlights" and of course everything in between!"

The world tour will kick off in Berlin on March 4th, 2016.

AVANTASIA - GHOSTLIGHTS WORLD TOUR 2016

04.03. Germany - Berlin, Huxley´s
05.03. Germany - Hamburg, Große Freiheit
06.03. Germany - Bremen, Aladin
08.03. England - London, The Forum
09.03. France - Paris, Le Trianon
11.03. Spain - Barcelona, Razzmatazz 1
12.03. Spain - Madrid, La Riviera
15.03. Germany - Frankfurt-Langen, Stadthalle
16.03. Czech Republic - Prague, Forum Karlin
18.03. Germany - Kaufbeuren, All-Karthalle
19.03. Germany - Bamberg, brose-Arena
20.03. Germany - Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle
22.03. Italy - Milan, Alcatraz
24.03. Switzerland - Pratteln, z7
25.03. Switzerland - Pratteln, z7
27.03. Slovakia - Banska Bystrica, Ice Stadium
28.03. Slovakia - Bratislava, Sportshall
31.03. Germany - Saarbrücken, Saarlandhalle
01.04. Germany - Ludwigsburg, Arena
02.04. Germany - Fulda, Esperantohalle

- Source: http://www.tobiassammet.com/eng/index.php

World Tour 2016 Teaser trailer:

 

[1928]

Not much of a 'world tour' is it? Harumph. I'll never get to see them anyway, doesn't matter.

Hope Ghostlights is better than TMOT.

 

[Power_Metal_Dom]

That's been every yank reaction to this!

My reaction in turn:

1. US already has everything, let Europe have something for once!
2. Very early days, I'm sure more will be announced.

 

[1928]

Whoa wait a sec there Dom, lol! You guys have Wacken, Bloodstock, all those other festivals - we have ProgPower and that's a 10 hour drive from me. Whereas you guys get dozens and dozens of bands to see every few months, we're lucky to get one band once a year (haven't seen Edguy and Strato in 6 years and doubt they'll return anytime soon). Guardian is coming in November and it'll be another 5-6 years before they come back, if they do. Only had one chance in the last 6 years to see Helloween and had to miss it. I totally understand the logistics and cost of European bands organizing tours, nevermind Avantasia, but it's so depressing for me to go half a year (or years) between seeing bands I dig!

[/rant]

I hope Jorn comes back for this album. That's part of the reason I didn't enjoy Mystery of Time

 

[Power_Metal_Dom]

No no I meant more generally! Let Europe have power metal!

 

[1928]

Ohh!

Well in that case, sounds good! Now let me move to the UK and crash on your couch until I find a bridge to live under, just to be closer to the music

 

[Power_Metal_Dom]

Always a couch for ya to crash on with me, mate And a case of cold beer too...proper beer

 

[Power_Metal_Dom]

Courtesy of Mr Johnson:

 

[1928]

Here's the official version, since that one got taken down

 

[Power_Metal_Dom]

Cheers dude. Very Meat Loaf-y, makes sense

 

[Cronopio]

That is one catchy mofo. The song, I mean. As I am a Meat Loaf fan, I very much like Tobias' take on him. There was a writeup of the new songs over at Stormbringer.at by a reviewer who got to pre-listen, and I'm more than stoked after having read it ...