CD/DVD Releases: Avantasia: New Album Title Revealed

Last month, Edguy frontman Tobias Sammet's Avantasia project set The Mystery Of Time as the title of its new album, due in March. Immediately after the release of this new metal opera, based on a story written by Sammet, the band will embark on a full-fledged indoor tour, during which the band and special guests will bring the epic undertaking to the stage.

Since the performances will embrace all the different eras and history of Avantasia, these shows will feature an extended playing time and the entire evening will be dedicated to Avantasia with no support acts.

The Mystery Of Time will feature guest appearances by former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick and drummer Russell Gilbrook of Uriah Heep.

Bruce previously appeared on Avantasia's The Wicked Symphony and Angel Of Babylon CDs and Tobias contributed guest vocals to Bruce's last solo release, BK3.

The new Avantasia CD is being recorded in part at VOX Klangstudio in Bendestorf, Germany with producer Sascha Paeth (Kamelot, Edguy, Epica, Rhapsody).

Tobias originally wanted to put Avantasia to rest after the release of the The Flying Opera - Around The World In 20 Days concert DVD in April 2011, but he has since had a change of heart. He explains, "Even though I love to record and tour with Edguy, I didn't foresee how much I need Avantasia when I decided to finish this chapter of my life in 2011. I didn't know if there would be another Avantasia album one day, but I didn‘t feel like doing it. After the worldwide success of the latest studio releases, an arena world tour that was sold out pretty much everywhere, collaborations with childhood heroes like Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker, Eric Singer of KISS, etc. I 'knew' that I had said everything I could possibly say in the name of Avantasia. But that's not what Avantasia is all about. I wanna create more great music, I wanna create more fantasy worlds, the bigger and the more epic, the better. And listening to the material that I have created for this forthcoming chapter in the history of Avantasia, I know there is no way I am not going to do it! I have got the feeling and the certainty that this is absolutely meant to happen and to be!"

Since that initial news release, Avantasia/Tobias Sammet have released information on additional guests, including Arjen Lucassen, Biff Byford, Michael Kiske, Ronnie Atkins, and Eric Martin.

As mentioned, Avantasia will tour -- Europe in April (dates below), perform at the Sweden Rock Festival in June, in Moscow, Russia on June 23, as well as dates in South America.

April 12, 2013 -- PPM-Festival, Mons, BE
April 13, 2013 -- Z7, Pratteln, SE
April 14, 2013 -- Z7, Pratteln, SE
April 16, 2013 -- Alcatraz, Milan, IT
April 18, 2013 -- MPH Arena, Ludwigsburg, DE
April 19, 2013 -- All-Karthalle, Kaufbeuren, DE
April 20, 2013 -- Esperantohalle, Fulda, DE
April 22, 2013 -- Tempodrom, Berlin, DE
April 23, 2013 -- Grosse Freiheit, Hamburg, DE
April 25, 2013 -- Turbinenhalle, Oberhausen, DE
April 26, 2013 -- Stadthalle, Lichtenfels, DE
June 8, 2013 -- Sweden Rock Festival, Sölvesborg, SE
June 21, 2013 -- Hellfest, Clisson, FR
June 23, 2013 -- Milk, Moscow, RU
June 25, 2013 -- El Teatro, Buenos Aires, AR
June 27, 2013 -- Teatro Caupolican, Santiago De Chile, CL
June 29, 2013 -- HSBC Hall, Sao Paulo, BR
July 13, 2013 -- Rockharz Festival, Ballenstedt, DE
July 14, 2013 -- Masters Of Rock, Zlin, CZ
August 10, 2013 -- Bloodstock, Catton Park, England, UK

[Source: Blabbermouth.net, Avantasia website]