Avantasia

Avantasia is a German metal opera project founded in 1999 by Tobias Sammet, the singer and frontman of the band Edguy. The project combines elements of power metal, symphonic metal and hard rock and is known for its epic albums and high-calibre guest musicians. The name Avantasia is a portmanteau of "Avalon" and "Fantasia", which emphasises the imaginative and epic nature of the project.

The debut album "The Metal Opera" (2001) and its follow-up "The Metal Opera Part II" (2002) established Avantasia as a major force in the metal scene. Both albums tell a cohesive, epic story and feature an impressive list of guest musicians, including Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray), and André Matos (ex-Angra). The albums have been praised for their complex arrangements, captivating melodies and rich, narrative structure.

After a longer break, Avantasia returned in 2008 with "The Scarecrow", which introduced a new trilogy, followed by "The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel of Babylon" (both 2010). These albums deepened Avantasia's symphonic and melodic approach and received consistently positive reviews. Over the years, the project has continued to release impressive works, including "The Mystery of Time" (2013), "Ghostlights" (2016) and "Moonglow" (2019). Each album is characterised by high profile guest appearances and rich, dramatic storytelling.

Avantasia has also gained worldwide recognition through spectacular live performances at festivals and special tours. These concerts are often grand, theatrical productions that bring the epic and imaginative music of Avantasia to life. Tobias Sammet remains the creative driving force behind the project, continually developing his vision of a "metal opera" and redefining the genre time and time again. Avantasia has become a force to be reckoned with in the metal world, delighting fans around the world with its unique blend of music and storytelling.