The presale for the ninth AVANTASIA studio album A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society has begun, and their magical journey continues with the dramatic power ballad ‘Misplaced Among The Angels’ – featuring Floor Jansen.
AVANTASIA mastermind Tobias Sammet comments: “There are still some special voices and artists left that I wanted to work with; one of them being Nightwish singer and frontwoman, Floor Jansen. ‘Misplaced Among The Angels’ was already finished when I asked Floor to contribute to the song. She said she could imagine singing it, although she wasn’t 100% sure in the beginning if the lower range passages would suit her rather higher range singing style. But without further ado, she gave it a shot and she delivered unbelievably. I personally think that ‘Misplaced Among The Angels’, complete with Floor’s strong voice, is one of the best ballads of my entire career“.
The pre-order for AVANTASIA’s ninth studio album A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society has launched here: https://avantasia.bfan.link/APEWTMS.ema
A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society consists of eleven magical songs and features numerous prestigious guest stars. It’s an adventure that’s sure to captivate. The album was produced by Tobias Sammet alongside AVANTASIA guitar player Sascha Paeth. The fantastic cover artwork was done by Swedish illustrator Alexander Jansson.
Tour dates: 19.08. Moravsky Krumlov, Czech Rep. – Rock Castle 26.08. Coburg, Germany – Schloßplatz 03.09. Gelsenkirchen, Germany – Amphitheater
“You Know We’ll Return Once Again / You Can Turn The Page / The Image Will Remain / We’re In Your Dreams” (The Wicked Rule The Night – AVANTASIA)
Today is an exciting day as TOBIAS SAMMET’S AVANTASIA herald a new age in the fantastic, ever-expanding universe of AVANTASIA with “The Wicked Rule The Night“.
After almost three years of hibernation, mastermind Tobias Sammet and his outstanding all-star formation inspire us with an epic full-throttle track, in which the master himself presents his absolute world-class vocal form alongside guest vocalist Ralf Scheepers.
The song, which gives a first impression of the ninth AVANTASIA album “A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society” to be released in autumn, comes with a lavishly animated lyric video, for which Costin Chioreanu is responsible.
“I’m so happy with the upcoming album that you could put out any song as the first single. But somehow, after the last two years, I felt the need to go full steam ahead as soon as I’m let off the leash. And honestly, it’s also cool to know that many would probably have expected a less extreme track to accompany AVANTASIA‘s re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. But AVANTASIA is not stylistically fixed, anything goes, commercial, epic, grotesque or full on the bell, doesn’t matter: All that is part of AVANTASIA‘s very own world. We have found our own pigeonhole and different laws apply there. The fans of the first hour know that. And so I have the feeling that “The Wicked Rule The Night” is unpredictable, exciting, fresh and new, despite my trademarks, as you know them partly from AVANTASIA or also EDGUY. Playing it safe is a lot of hogwash.
On “The Wicked Rule The Night” you can hear: Tobias Sammet | vocals, keyboards, bass Sascha Paeth | guitar Felix Bohnke | drums Ralf Scheepers | vocals
AVANTASIA live
24.06. ES Cartagena – Rock Imperium Festival 08.07. FI Tampere – Sauna Open Air 09.07. FI Oulu – Rock in the City 11.07. NO Oslo – Sentrum Scene 13.07. SE Gävle – Gefle Metal Festival 21.07. DE Fulda – Domplatz 23.07. CH Pratteln – Z7 Summer Nights 03.08. DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air 04.08. DE Ludwigsburg – KSK Music Open 19.08. CZ Moravsky Krumlov – Rock Castle 26.08. DE Coburg – Schlossplatz 03.09. DE Gelsenkirchen – Nine Lives Open Air Festival
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.
AVANTASIA, the all-star rock opera spaceship piloted by EDGUY singer, songwriter and producer Tobias Sammet, release their eighth full-length album, ‘Moonglow’, via Nuclear Blast Records on February 15th.
This new 11-song record sees Sammet, among the most talented and popular names in German hard rock and metal, reunited with some familiar faces from previous AVANTASIA albums. These include original QUEENSRYCHE lead singer Geoff Tate, PRETTY MAIDS frontman Ronnie Atkins, Michael Kiske of HELLOWEEN, Jørn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN), Eric Martin (MR BIG) and MAGNUM’s Bob Catley. ‘Moonglow’ also introduces new collaborators Hansi Kürsch of BLIND GUARDIAN, KREATOR’s Mille Petrozza and BLACKMORE’S NIGHT frontwoman Candice Night in truly spectacular fashion.
Today, AVANTASIA release the epic new single in the form of title-track ‘Moonglow’ featuring guest singer Candice Night.
Tobias Sammet comments: „Yes, we’ve found a song on the new album that is below the 4 minutes benchmark and it would work as a single. And despite being rather short it’s also representative for the world of AVANTASIA. Somehow in hindsight I think that my admiration for Mike Oldfield shines through here, which wasn’t intentional but you can’t really control that. And by and large I find the song to be a typical AVANTASIA song nevertheless. The enchanting Candice Night did an amazing vocal job, and in all modesty, I think so did I, ha! ‘Moonglow’ is a declaration of love to the moon, the night; it’s about entering a different world and the sacred experiences that go along with it.“
Tobias Sammet recently announced the release of the upcoming AVANTASIA masterpiece »Moonglow« on February 15th, 2019 through Nuclear Blast.
Today, AVANTASIA reveal the first song trailer to give you an initial taste of the album. Watch the clip here:
The band have also started the pre-order and revealed the formats in which »Moonglow« will be published:
– CD
– Digibook (36 pages)
– 2CD-Artbook (64 pages)
– 2LP (different colours) in gatefold
– BOX (Digibook + CD in Sleeve + 2LP (ice blue + dark blue marble) in gatefold + bonus 10″ (black) im sleeve + signed photo card + certificate + poster) * NB-Mailorder exclusive
Comments Tobias Sammet, “I really can’t wait to unleash „Moonglow“. First reactions by press and friends are the most enthusiastic comments I have ever gotten in my whole career of 27 years. No bullshit, it’s the truth, Sascha and I are overwhelmed! In order to avoid boredom, in the middle of promotion and tour preparations I was getting myself involved in every detail of the album sleeves, booklets and packaging, to make sure the album drags the listener into a different world. I wanted „Moonglow“ to be an overall experience for escapists like myself. My favourite edition is the giant super strictly limited art book edition with bonus track and a bonus CD. A massive coffee table book with photos, interview, liner notes and illustrations of Victorian painter Grimshaw who has been very inspirational to me. This book edition is everything it takes to invite the listener into the world of „Moonglow“ and its productional process. There is also a smaller digibook version that features one bonus track and that is limited and beautiful as well. And of course there are also vinyl editions to hug, feel, watch, smell and caress. I am extremely proud of all these little treasures and can’t wait to unleash them!”
Comprising 11 tracks, the new opus once again features several guest vocalists. This time round, Tobias worked not only with well-known faces such as Ronnie Atkins, Jørn Lande, Eric Martin, Geoff Tate, Michael Kiske or Bob Catley but also with new singers like Candice Night, Hansi Kürsch as well as Mille Petrozza who help to vitalize the new AVANTASIA record. Its cover artwork was created by Alexander Jansson.
»Moonglow« – Track Listing:
01. Ghost In The Moon
02. Book Of Shallows
03. Moonglow
04. The Raven Child
05. Starlight
06. Invincible
07. Alchemy
08. The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
09. Lavender
10. Requiem For A Dream
11. Maniac
Bonus Track
12. Heart
Tobias Sammet, hailing from Fulda, created the rock event AVANTASIA in 1999 and celebrated its live premiere in 2008. With over 3,5 million records sold, he is one of the most successful musicians from Germany and has worked with Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker (THE SCORPIONS), Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer (KISS), Eric Martin (MR. BIG) as well as many other stars from the international music business. For a long time Tobias Sammet’s AVANTASIA has been considered an insider tip. But after countless headline performances at some of the world’s largest rock festivals (Sweden Rock Festival, Québec Music Festival, Barcelona Rock Fest etc.), gold awards and several top 10 positions in the world charts, the upcoming AVANTASIA – Moonglow World Tour 2019 can only be considered the biggest rock event of the year!
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 