Avantasia

Avantasia is an all-star project founded in 2000 by Tobias Sammet. Until then, the German celebrated success as the singer of the metal band Edguy. At the same time, he has made a name for himself as a composer and producer. Musically, Avantasia covers the genres of power metal, symphonic metal and progressive metal. The idea for the project was born in 1999 after an Edguy tour. Tobias Sammet wanted to release a concept album with guest musicians. He recruits former Helloween singers Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske, among others. Later, artists from the Scorpions, Rainbow, Mr. Big, Magnum and Dio follow. After a first EP called Avantasia (2000), the debut album The Metal Opera followed in July 2001. The circle closes in 2002 with The Metal Opera II. The releases met with a positive response in the German metal scene. In 2007, Tobias Sammet begins work on another Avantasia trilogy. The Wicked-Trilogy comprises the albums The Scarecrow (2008), The Wicked Symphony and Angel of Babylon (both 2010). With these albums, Avantasia made it into the German Top 10 and also achieved top positions in other charts in German-speaking countries. Tobias Sammet then announces the end of Avantasia. However, another album, The Mystery of Time, is released in 2013. The album climbed to number 2 in Germany and entered the British charts at number 97. In 2016, Avantasia released Ghostlights and again reached number 2 in Germany. In the same year, Avantasia took part in the German preliminary round of the Eurovision Song Contest with "Mystery of a Blood Red Rose", narrowly missing out on victory with 3rd place. However, Avantasia achieved a number 1 in Germany with their next album Moonglow in 2019, which also enjoyed international success. Another top 10 triumph with the next studio album A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society. Avantasia returned at the end of February 2025 with Here Be Dragons. The album conquered the top of the German album charts and climbed to number 3 in Switzerland.