EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project released 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. A new four-and-a-half-minute video clip in which Sammet discusses the concept behind "Ghostlights" can be seen below. AVANTASIA released a new digital single, "Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose", on December 11. Commented Tobias: "In my humble opinion, ['Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose'] is the perfect overture to the seventy-minute journey which the full album is going to be. "Although 'Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose' is a rather short composition compared to most other AVANTASIA songs, I wanted to embellish and amplify it with flamboyance and all AVANTASIA trademarks. I wanted to make it a detailed piece of fantasy art, but at the same time it was a big challenge to make that painting look inherently consistent if you view it from the distance. The layered choirs took us forever to record and yet nothing distracts from the main theme and flow of the song. Every time you give it a listen, you will discover something else going on. "I have a feeling that I have never managed to create such an epic and dreamy atmosphere in just four minutes. I've gotta admit I am slightly proud of it!" "Ghostlights" features guest appearances by: * Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER) * Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE) * Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH) * Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION) * Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN) * 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 CD 01. Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose Lead vocals: Tobias Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth 02. Let The Storm Descend Upon You Lead vocals: Tobias, Jorn Lande, Ronnie Atkins, Robert Mason Lead guitar: Oliver Hartmann 03. The Haunting Lead vocals: Dee Snider, Tobias Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth 04. Seduction Of Decay Lead vocals: Geoff Tate, Tobias Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth 05. Ghostlights Lead vocals: Michael Kiske, Tobias, Jorn Lande Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth, Oliver Hartmann 06. Draconian Love Lead vocals: Herbie Langhans, Tobias Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth 07. Master Of The Pendulum Lead vocals: Marco Hietala, Tobias Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth 08. Isle Of Evermore Lead vocals: Sharon Den Adel, Tobias 09. Babylon Vampyres Lead vocals: Tobias, Robert Mason Lead guitar: Bruce Kulick, Oliver Hartmann, Sascha Paeth 10. Lucifer Lead vocals: Jorn Lande, Tobias Lead guitar: Bruce Kulick 11. Unchain The Light Lead vocals: Tobias, Ronnie Atkins, Michael Kiske Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth, Oliver Hartmann 12. A Restless Heart And Obsidian Skies Lead vocals: Bob Catley, Tobias Lead guitar: Bruce Kulick Digibook CD 1 01. Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose 02. Let The Storm Descend Upon You 03. The Haunting 04. Seduction Of Decay 05. Ghostlights 06. Draconian Love 07. Master Of The Pendulum 08. Isle Of Evermore 09. Babylon Vampyres 10. Lucifer 11. Unchain The Light 12. A Restless Heart And Obsidian Skies 13. Wake Up To The Moon (bonus track) CD 2 (Bonus Disc - AVANTASIA live) 01. Spectres 02. Invoke The Machine 03. The Story Ain't Over 04. Prelude 05. Reach Out For The Light 06. Avantasia 07. Whats Left Of Me 08. Dying For An Angel 09. Twisted Mind 10. The Watchmakers' Dream 11. Another Angel Down --- Earbook (digibook including 68-page photobook, 28.5x28.5cm)+ CD 3 karaoke version of CD 1 without bonus track 01. Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose 02. Let The Storm Descend Upon You 03. The Haunting 04. Seduction Of Decay 05. Ghostlights 06. Draconian Love 07. Master Of The Pendulum 08. Isle Of Evermore 09. Babylon Vampyres 10. Lucifer 11. Unchain The Light 12. A Restless Heart And Obsidian Skies Mailorder Box - Earbook - Poster - Autograph - Lanyard + Pass - 10" Vinyl (tracks to be confirmed) Vinyl Side A 01. Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose 02. Let The Storm Descend Upon You 03. The Haunting Side B 01. Seduction Of Decay 02. Ghostlights 03. Draconian Love Side C 01. Master Of The Pendulum 02. Isle Of Evermore 03. Babylon Vampyres Side D 01. Lucifer 02. Unchain The Light 03. A Restless Heart And Obsidian Skies 04. Wake Up To The Moon (bonus track) AVANTASIA will play three North American shows in April: April 11 - House Of Blues - Anaheim, CA April 13 - Queen Elizabeth Theater - Toronto, Ontario, Canada April 15 - Playstation Theater - New York, NY The AVANTASIA lineup for these shows will consist of the following musicians: * Tobias Sammet - Vocals * Michael Kiske - Vocals * Eric Martin - Vocals * Ronnie Atkins - Vocals * Jorn Lande - Vocals * Amanda Somerville - Backing vocal/vocals * Herbie Langhans - Backing vocal/vocals * Sascha Paeth - Guitars * Oliver Hartmann - Guitars * Miro Rodenberg - Keyboards * Andre Neigenfind - Bass * Felix Bohnke - Drums 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.
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
