Avantasia touring lineup revealed
Edguy singer Tobias Sammet has issued the following update on his Avantasia solo project:"I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for your great support. 'The Scarecrow' is an album that means a lot to me and it was quite a commercial risk to just follow my heart instead of doing exactly what people expected. But if I take a look at the chart positions and sales ? it went into the album charts in 16 countries, hitting the Top10 in four countries ? it seems like you appreciate my honesty! Thank you!
Now preparing for the festival summer with Avantasia seems so surreal. Avantasia has never been on stage before and all of the sudden we are headlining the biggest festivals in the world, just been confirmed for the Sziget festival in Hungary on the 13th of August, playing amongst legendary bands such as R.E.M., Die �rzte, Iron Maiden and the Sex Pistols. Amazing!
"The Avantasia line up will be Jorn Lande (ex-Masterplan), Andr� Matos (ex-Angra), Amanda Somerville, Olli Hartmann, Bob Catley (Magnum ? not all shows), Sascha Paeth, Miro, Robert Hunecke, Claudy Yang and Frank Lindenthal who is gonna replace Eric Singer who'll be playing with Kiss. Despite all rumors Michael Kiske will not be there, as he didn't wanna do it and I respect that! We'll put on a huge epic show anyway. Nobody has done something like that before and I swear, nobody will ever forget the event, neither you nor us!!!"
For a list of upcoming Avantasia shows, go to this location.
"The Scarecrow" was "officially one of the 20 best-selling albums in whole Europe during the fourth week of January," according to a press release.
"The Scarecrow" was released on January 25 as a standard CD as well as rare picture (double) vinyl.
Avantasia's video for the song "Carry Me Over" can be viewed below.
"The Scarecrow" features guest appearances by the following artists:
Alice Cooper (vocals)
Amanda Somerville (vocals)
Bob Catley (Magnum; vocals)
Jorn Lande (ex-Masterplan; vocals)
Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray; guitar)
Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween; vocals)
Oliver Hartmann
Roy Khan (Kamelot; vocals)
Rudolf Schenker (Scorpions; guitar)