Avantasia @House of Blues-Anaheim 4-11-16

Avantasia: First ever American show!! 4-11-16

by: Leah Burlington

To say I am a huge fan of the band Avantasia, would be an understatement. First off, most people in America have no idea who this band is, so here’s a little back history from their bio off their website. There’s a lot more to this “Super-group”, than meets the ear and eye. The first thing you need to know is this whole beautiful project came from the fantastic imagination of the singer of this power metal band from Germany called Edguy in 1999. His name is Tobias Sammet and he is not only an amazing singer, he is an equally amazing talented writer. He’s also a funny down to earth guy.

Avantasia/Tobia Sammet bio:

“He has sold more than 3 million discs world-wide and he has played more than 600 concerts in almost 40 countries in Asia, North America, Central America, South America, Australia and Europe: composer and vocalist Tobias Sammet is one of Germany’s biggest internationally acclaimed artists in recent music history. Tobias first became known as the singer and songwriter of the band Edguy that he co-founded in 1992. In 1999 he founded his side project “Tobias Sammet’s Avantasia”, an all-star Rock Opera that would allow him to collaborate with superstars such as Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine & Rudolf Schenker (Scorpions), members of legendary bands such KISS & Mr. Big, Helloween, Magnum, Rainbow, Saxon, and many more throughout the years. All of his recent albums entered the top ten charts in countries all over the world.”

Avantasia, since 1999 has released seven albums and a DVD of their headlining show at Wacken in Germany. They have toured all over the planet, except for here in America, (Until now!) They released the greatest album of their career this year called “Ghostlights.” This album has some of the greatest singers in rock/metal singing on different songs. Avantasia is a Rock Opera so he has only the best sing on his albums with him, as duets. This 2016 world tour has featured singers, Jorn Lande, Michael Kiske, Eric Martin, Herbie Langhans, Amanda Sommerville, and Ronnie Atkins on vocals as well as Tobias.Bob Catley usually sings on the albums or on tour, but he couldn’t make the tour after Japan, as he had other commitments with his band Magnum. The musicians on this tour are, Sascha Paeth – lead guitar, Oliver Hartmann- lead guitar, Felix Bohnke – drums, Miro – Keyboards, orchestration and Andre Neigenfind-bass.

When I found out that Avantasia was finally going to hit North American soil after all these years, I was so excited. But there was only two shows posted at the time I saw this. When Anaheim, California was added I squealed like a little girl. I was about to see the last great band on my bucket list!! And with Jorn Lande to sweeten the pot! Two of my buddies drove me out there and we were about to see one of the best shows of our life!

More of this review in the May issue of Sin City Presents Magazine here: Sin City Presents Magazine

Avantasia Website: Tobias Sammet: Avantasia

Avantasia Facebook: Avantasia Facebook

Avantasia with Jorn Lande: Lucifer

  • Client: Avantasia
  • Year: 2016
  • Agency: Photography of Leah Burlington