Reporting for The Metal Voice on the East Coast Kenny Kessel sat down with Mr. Big Frontman Eric Martin at Daryl’s House in Pawling, NY doing an acoustic set on Dec 16 2021.
Martin spoke to him about touring with Geoff Tate, singing on the next Avantasia album, the legacy of Mr. Big, Rush and the passing of MR. Big drummer Pat Torpey plus a much more.
When asked if there are any new plans to work on a new Avantasia Album “I just sang on the new Avantasia record, I just did that me and Tobie (Tobias Sammet) and through Avantasia I got to be really good friends with Geoff Tate.”
When asked about the upcoming Geoff Tate Tour in 2022 ” Both of us are flying to Germany (Geoff Tate and Eric Martin) and rehearsing with Avantasia (End of May 2022 about). Then June, July, August 2022, about 15 shows with Avantasia. Now in between those things Geoff goes off to Ireland and I am playing all over Europe doing acoustic. I might be out there for three months in Europe. Then when I come home August 2022 I don’t know if I can say this or not but then I ‘m going to go out with Geoff Tate for three months in the USA.”
Metal songwriter, producer and keyboardist ADRIAN BENEGAS has released his new single and video “Orphan of Life”. The soaring symphonic metal track features FIREWIND vocalist Herbie Langhans, and the production skills of Benegas together with renowned producer Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Kamelot, Rhapsody, Epica, etc).
Throughout the second half of 2020 during the pandemic of COVID19, Adrian’s been busy working and producing new songs together with vocalist Herbie Langhans, who was also the lead singer on his debut album, The Revenant. This time around, Adrian has also teamed up with producer Sascha Paeth. “Orphan Of Life” is the first single of the upcoming production to be revealed, with more tracks being released in the coming months.
Benegas explains that, “It’s a song to rage out and get all the anger out at those who tried to break our spirits”. “Orphan of Life” is the anthem for the outsiders, for the ones that never truly fit in, like me. You should funnel that anger and negative energy to fuel your heart and desire to stand up and to climb even higher. Instead of feeling down, we should remember to use that pain to unleash the fighter inside us. We all have it!”
Benegas is known for being the founder of symphonic metal act Tragul, as well as his debut solo album The Revenant. On these productions he has worked with numerous world class musicians and producers including Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Henning Basse (Metallium, Mayan), Zuberoa Aznarez (Diabulus in Musica), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire), Oliver Holzwarth (Blind Guardian, Tarja), producer Jacob Hansen (Amaranthe, Volbeat, Epica), and producer Mika Jussila (Nightwish, Sonata Arctica).
In early 1999, more than 20 years ago, a widely unknown 21 year old German musician named Tobias Sammet decided to jump in at the deep end and fulfil his dream of initiating a solo project starring his musical idols within the framework of a Rock Opera. Only just a bit heavier than other Rock Operas. When the first single from “Avantasia – The Metal Opera“ was released in 2000 nobody was aware that the album title would also mark the beginning of a new genre in music history:
The term ‘Metal Opera‘ was established.
Today, 20 years later, it‘s time to look back on 8 albums, arena shows, 5 world tours across 4 continents and studio collaborations with legends such as Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine & Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS), Jorn Lande, the late André Matos and stars known from acts such as MR. BIG, QUEENSRYCHE, WITHIN TEMPTAION, NIGHTWISH, HELLOWEEN, KISS, SAXON, PRETTY MAIDS, MAGNUM, KREATOR, BLIND GUARDIAN, RAINBOW, BLACKMORE’s NIGHT or URIAH HEEP.
By now, AVANTASIA has become a staple in the Rock World and an arena-sized live spectacle. And 20 years after its birth it’s time to celebrate the journey from “The Metal Opera“ to the most recent number-one-album “Moonglow“ with a special history show at selected summer festivals in 2020.
Tobias says: “It‘s been a long road, an exciting journey full of hard work, taking risks and balancing on the edge at times. But I wouldn‘t want to miss a minute of it.
Looking back now, without the sheltering retreat and the creative freedom and possibilities I’ve found in AVANTASIA, I‘d probably have gone crazy and burnt out in this superficial, super-glossy and super-streamlined music industry, with its often unfulfillable and ludicrous expectations, by now.
The naiveté to dream up AVANTASIA as a 20 year old boy has rewarded me with the chance to create my own little world that has always turned at my own little pace. That said, when you get to work next to your heroes and the best of the best – you don‘t even realize how you constantly break through your own limitations and discover new possibilities – the fuel for inspiration.
20 years and counting – thanks to our fans and my wonderful extended AVANTASIA family. And honestly, there is no better way to celebrate our anniversary than gathering the family on stage and in front of it for a few epic best-of shows featuring the most celebrated anthems of our career plus some songs that we have never or not played in a long time. Again I want to thank everybody who has joined me on my journey so far. And I am looking forward to delivering a great show with some of my amazing companions!“
After triumphantly storming the worldwide charts with new album Moonglow, TOBIAS SAMMET‘s AVANTASIA are premiering an official lyric video for the track ‘Alchemy’, which features the distinctive vocals ofex-Queensrÿchesinger Geoff Tate. Watch the new lyric video for ‘Alchemy’:
TOBIAS SAMMET comments: “When I wrote ‘Alchemy’ I had no one but Geoff Tate in mind. He is one of the most influential singers in the history of Melodic Metal and I have always adored albums like QUEENSRYCHE’s ‘Rage For Order’ and ‘Operation Mindcrime’. And that type of singing was exactly what I imagined to hear in AVANTASIA. When we were in the studio there was magic in the air, Geoff delivered and even though thousands of singers have been inspired by him, there is only one Geoff Tate. What a great addition to the AVANTASIA family. I can‘t wait to travel around the globe with Geoff and the team in a couple of days.”
TOBIAS SAMMET has long been recognized as one of the most accomplished German rock musicians, with releases and chart success in 40 countries across world. Moonglow charted as follows:
– GERMANY #1 – SWEDEN Rock/ Metal #1 – UK Rock Top 40 #1 – SWITZERLAND #3 – AUSTRIA #4 – CANADA Hard Music Albums #5 – FINLAND physical #5 – SPAIN #5 – USA Current Hard Music Albums #5 – SWEDEN #6 – CZECH REPUBLIK #8 – SCOTLAND #9 – FINLAND #13 – JAPAN (western music) #13 – CANADA Top Current Albums #17 – FRANCE TOP 150 physical and download #22 – ITALY #31 – UK #38 – BELGIUM VL #38 – FRANCE TOP 150 #43 – USA Top Albums #46 – NETHERLANDS #83 – BELGIUM WA #121
AVANTASIA’s latest opus, Moonglow is a masterpiece in rock, that ignores the conventional way of creating music and transports fans into a new and magical world. Barricading himself in his studio, aptly called The Great Mystery,Tobias worked tirelessly on new material, until finally 11 tracks were brought together to form Moonglow. „It’s beautiful to see how this worked out for me with a sound, for which – according to the opinion of some experts – there is no place in this generic mainstream-world. And the best thing is: Fans all around the world love the record and we can kick off our world-tour knowing of their support and have lots of fun!“, comments TOBIAS SAMMET on his first #1 in his home country.
AVANTASIA – »Moonglow World Tour 2019« Presented by Metal Hammer, Piranha, Musix, Rock It! 27.03. SK Presov – Tatran Handball Aréna 28.03. SK Bratislava – Hant Aréna 30.03. DE Kaufbeuren – All-Karthalle *SOLD OUT* 31.03. IT Milan – Alcatraz 02.04. CZ Prague – Forum Karlín *SOLD OUT* 03.04. DE Berlin – Huxleys Neue Welt 05.04. DE Ludwigsburg – MHP Arena *SOLD OUT* 06.04. DE Bamberg – Brose Arena 08.04. DE Fulda – Esperantohalle 09.04. DE Saarbrücken – Saarlandhalle 10.04. FR Paris – Olympia 12.04. DE Osnabrück – Osnabrück Halle 13.04. DE Hamburg – Mehr! Theater *SOLD OUT* 14.04. DE Oberhausen – König-Pilsener-Arena 16.04. UK London – The Forum 18.04. DE Offenbach – Stadthalle 19.04. CH Pratteln – Z7 20.04. CH Pratteln – Z7 *SOLD OUT* 21.04. CH Pratteln – Z7 24.04. ES Bilbao – Santana 27 26.04. ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz 1 27.04. ES Madrid – Palacio Vistalegre 02.05. SE Stockholm – Arenan 04.05. RU Moscow – Glavclub Green Concert 06.05. HU Budapest – Barba Negra Track 09.05. JP Tokyo – Blitz Akasaka 12.05. AU Sydney – Metro Theatre 14.05. AU Melbourne – The Forum 17.05. US San Jose, CA – City National Civic 19.05. US Anaheim, CA – City National Grove 21.05. US Chicago, IL – Patio Theater 23.05. CA Montreal, QC – Metropolis 24.05. US Worcester, MA – Palladium 26.05. MEX Mexico City – Auditorio BlackBerry 29.05. RCH Santiago – Teatro Caupolican 31.05. RA Buenos Aires – El Teatro Flores 02.06. BR São Paulo – Espaço das América
Festivals: 11. – 13.07. D Balingen – Bang Your Head!!! 11. – 14.07. CZ Vizovice – Masters of Rock 09.- 11.08. B Kortrijk – Alcatraz Metal Festival 14. – 17.08. D Dinkelsbühl – Summer Breeze 18.08. BG Varna – Varna Rock 23.08. D Giessen – Giessener Kultursommer
Having reached #2 a total of three times now, AVANTASIA frontman Tobias Sammet canfinally say he has conquered the official German album charts by landing a #1 with his sensational new album “Moonglow“. To celebrate this triumphant success, the elated band leader has released a lyric video for new track, ‘Starlight’.
Watch and listen, here:
“It’s a really extraordinary feeling, to reach the very top after being only second for such a long time“, says TOBIAS SAMMET.
AVANTASIA can now look back on almost 20 years of global success. His previous album „Ghostlights“ hit the charts in more than a dozen countries across the world, including the USA, Canada, UK, Japan and Germany. TOBIAS has worked with the likes of Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine, members of KISS, URIAH HEEP and JUDAS PRIEST, as well as sharing the stage with AEROSMITH, SLASH, SCORPIONS, IRON MAIDEN and DEEP PURPLE. With over a million fans on Facebook, he has played the prestigious Wacken Open Air 10 times in his career, most recently as a headliner. In 2019 the project will be embarking on another world tour that includes dates in Japan, Australia, the Americas, Russia and Europe.
AVANTASIA’s latest opus, “Moonglow“ is a masterpiece in rock, that transports fans on a fantastic journey to another world. Without the pressure of time or obligation, and free from the constraints of the music industry, the singer songwriter barricaded himself in his home studio and worked on new material night and day, until “Moonglow” was finally born.
„It’s beautiful to see how this worked out for me with a sound, for which – according to the opinion of some experts – there is no place in this generic mainstream world. And the best thing is: Fans all around the world love the record and we can kick off our world tour knowing of their support and have lots of fun!“ comments TOBIAS SAMMET about his first #1 in his home country.
AVANTASIA – »Moonglow World Tour 2019« Presented by Metal Hammer, Piranha, Musix, Rock It! 27.03. SK Presov – Tatran Handball Aréna 28.03. SK Bratislava – Hant Aréna 30.03. DE Kaufbeuren – All-Karthalle 31.03. IT Milan – Alcatraz 02.04. CZ Prague – Forum Karlín *SOLD OUT* 03.04. DE Berlin – Huxleys Neue Welt 05.04. DE Ludwigsburg – MHP Arena 06.04. DE Bamberg – Brose Arena 08.04. DE Fulda – Esperantohalle 09.04. DE Saarbrücken – Saarlandhalle 10.04. FR Paris – Olympia 12.04. DE Osnabrück – Osnabrück Halle 13.04. DE Hamburg – Mehr! Theater *SOLD OUT* 14.04. DE Oberhausen – König-Pilsener-Arena 16.04. UK London – The Forum 18.04. DE Offenbach – Stadthalle 19.04. CH Pratteln – Z7 20.04. CH Pratteln – Z7 24.04. ES Bilbao – Santana 27 26.04. ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz 1 27.04. ES Madrid – Palacio Vistalegre 02.05. SE Stockholm – Arenan 04.05. RU Moscow – Glavclub Green Concert 06.05. HU Budapest – Barba Negra Track 09.05. JP Tokyo – Blitz Akasaka 12.05. AU Sydney – Metro Theatre 14.05. AU Melbourne – The Forum 17.05. US San Jose, CA – City National Civic 19.05. US Anaheim, CA – City National Grove 21.05. US Chicago, IL – Patio Theater 23.05. CA Montreal, QC – Metropolis 24.05. US Worcester, MA – Palladium 26.05. MEX Mexico City – Auditorio BlackBerry 29.05. RCH Santiago – Teatro Caupolican 31.05. RA Buenos Aires – El Teatro Flores 02.06. BR São Paulo – Espaço das América
Festivals: 11. – 13.07. D Balingen – Bang Your Head!!! 11. – 14.07. CZ Vizovice – Masters of Rock 09.- 11.08. B Kortrijk – Alcatraz Metal Festival 14. – 17.08. D Dinkelsbühl – Summer Breeze 18.08 BG Varna – Varna Rock
With his project AVANTASIA he has long been recognised as one of the most accomplished German rock musicians. With releases and chart success in 40 countries across the world throughout his career and now TOBIAS SAMMET has reached the top of the charts in his home country as well. After three times reaching #2 in the official German album charts he has finally achieved a sensational #1 with „Moonglow“.
“It’s a really extraordinary feeling, to reach the very top after being only second for such a long time“, says TOBIAS SAMMET. AVANTASIA can now look back to almost 20 years of global success. His previous album „Ghostlights“ alone hit the charts in more than a dozen countries around the world – among them are the USA, Canada, the UK, Japan, and Germany, where he reached #2. In the recording studio TOBIAS SAMMET has worked with the likes of Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine, members of KISS, URIAH HEEP and JUDAS PRIEST. He’s shared the stage with AEROSMITH, SLASH, SCORPIONS, IRON MAIDEN and DEEP PURPLE. With over a million fans on Facebook, he has played the prestigious Wacken Open Air 10 times in his career, most recently as a headliner. In 2019 the project will be embarking on another world tour that includes dates in Japan, Australia, the Americas, Russia and Europe.
Just recently Metal Shock Finland’s David Araneda reviewed “Moonglow”, read it here.
AVANTASIA’s latest opus, “Moonglow“ is a masterpiece in rock, that intentionally refuses to follow the spirit of today and goes out to all the fans that are ready to be taken away on a fantastic journey to another world. Only few of the spectacles that nature offers us are as ambivalent as moonlight is. Without the pressure of time or obligation and free from the constraints of the music industry, the singer and songwriter barricaded himself in his own “The Great Mystery“-studio and worked on new material night and day, until finally 11 tracks were put together to form “Moonglow”. „It’s beautiful to see how this worked out for me with a sound, for which – according to the opinion of some experts – there is no place in this generic mainstream-world. And the best thing is: Fans all around the world love the record and we can kick off our world-tour knowing of their support and have lots of fun!“ comments TOBIAS SAMMET about his first #1 in his home country.
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 