Avantasia

Lore & Background

Avantasia was conceived in 1999 as a studio-only, two-album project. The first period (1999–2002) saw the release of a self-titled single and the full-length albums The Metal Opera and The Metal Opera Part II. The core band initially consisted of Sammet on keyboards, Henjo Richter on guitar, Markus Grosskopf on bass, and Alex Holzwarth on drums. Guest vocalists on the debut included Michael Kiske, Andre Matos, Kai Hansen, Rob Rock, David Defeis, Sharon den Adel, and Bob Catley. Oliver Hartmann first appeared on The Metal Opera Part II.

The second period (2006–2011) included the EPs Lost in Space Part 1 & 2 and The Wicked Trilogy (The Scarecrow, The Wicked Symphony, Angel of Babylon). The Scarecrow marked the first chapter of that trilogy and featured Sascha Paeth as guitarist and producer; Paeth had previously played guitar on The Metal Opera Part II (2002) and the Lost in Space EPs (2007), so this was not his first guitar work on an Avantasia album.

Reader's Guide

Avantasia's significance lies in its fusion of heavy metal with operatic and theatrical elements, creating a series of interconnected concept albums that have attracted a wide array of renowned guest musicians from across the rock and metal spectrum. The project has evolved from a studio-only endeavor into a touring entity, performing headlining shows at major festivals like Wacken Open Air and Masters of Rock. Its albums have charted internationally, including a first entry on the US Billboard charts with The Mystery of Time. The project's longevity—spanning five periods of activity over more than two decades—demonstrates its enduring appeal and Sammet's commitment to expanding the 'fantasy-world' of Avantasia. The guest list includes figures such as Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine, Dee Snider, Geoff Tate, and Floor Jansen, underscoring its role as a collaborative platform within the metal community.

Did You Know?

• The name Avantasia is a blend of 'Avalon' and 'fantasia.'
• The project was originally conceived in 1999 as a studio-only, two-album project.
• The Mystery of Time was the first Avantasia release to feature the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg.
• The live DVD The Flying Opera was based on footage from the 2008 tour, including shows at Masters of Rock and Wacken Open Air.

Origins & the Metal Opera Vision

In the spring of 1999, while Edguy was on their Theater of Salvation tour, Tobias Sammet began sketching out an ambitious idea: a metal opera concept album built around guest musicians. Once the tour wrapped, he reached out to vocalists including Michael Kiske, Andre Matos, Kai Hansen, Rob Rock, David DeFeis, Sharon den Adel, Bob Catley, and Oliver Hartmann to bring the vision to life. The core studio band was compact—Sammet on keyboards, Henjo Richter on guitar, Markus Grosskopf on bass, and Alex Holzwarth on drums. The name Avantasia itself is a portmanteau of Avalon and fantasia, evoking 'a world beyond human imagination' as described in the debut album's booklet. In 2001, the self-titled single and The Metal Opera arrived, followed by The Metal Opera Part II in September 2002. Originally conceived in 1999 as a studio-only, two-album endeavor, the project had already planted seeds that would far outgrow its initial scope.

From Studio to Stage: The Wicked Trilogy Era

What began as a purely studio-based project transformed dramatically during the 2006–2011 period. After The Scarecrow released in January 2008—featuring Sascha Paeth as main guitarist and producer for the first time—Sammet was invited to headline Wacken Open Air. Producer Paeth convinced him to accept, and the result was 13 shows between July and August 2008. The live DVD The Flying Opera, released in March 2011, captured the Masters of Rock and Wacken performances. The Scarecrow was the first chapter of 'The Wicked Trilogy,' a narrative continued by The Wicked Symphony and Angel of Babylon, both released on 3 April 2010. These three albums achieved high chart positions internationally. A 12-show tour across Europe, South America, and Asia followed in December 2010, with concerts lasting nearly three hours and many selling out days in advance. Amanda Somerville documented both tours on her YouTube channel, sharing backstage moments like rehearsals, cancelled flights, and the ensemble traveling by regular train.

A Constellation of Metal Voices

One of Avantasia's most striking features is the extraordinary breadth of its guest roster. Across its albums, the project has featured vocalists spanning multiple generations and subgenres of metal: Michael Kiske, Jørn Lande, Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine, Dee Snider, Hansi Kürsch, Jon Oliva, Biff Byford, Joe Lynn Turner, Tim 'Ripper' Owens, Geoff Tate, Bob Catley, Roy Khan, Russell Allen, Andre Matos, Sharon den Adel, Floor Jansen, Ralf Scheepers, Marko Hietala, Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Eric Martin, Ronnie Atkins, Mille Petrozza, Candice Night, and Amanda Somerville, among others. The instrumental side is equally impressive, with guitarists Kai Hansen, Rudolf Schenker, Bruce Kulick, and Timo Tolkki; keyboardists Jens Johansson and Sascha Paeth; drummer Eric Singer; and bassist Markus Grosskopf all contributing at various points. This rotating constellation of established artists gives each album a distinct sonic palette while maintaining the project's operatic, narrative-driven identity.

Five Eras of a Living Project

Avantasia's trajectory reveals a project that continually reinvents its scope. Conceived in 1999 as a two-album studio effort, it has since released seven additional studio albums and toured the world multiple times. The five periods of activity trace a clear arc: the 1999–2002 debut era produced the self-titled single and both Metal Opera albums; the 2006–2011 Wicked Trilogy era added two Lost in Space EPs and three full-length records; the 2013–2016 period delivered The Mystery of Time and Ghostlights; the 2019–2022 span brought Moonglow and A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society; and the fifth, current era is represented by Here Be Dragons. In August 2012, Sammet reflected that he had initially believed he had 'said everything I could possibly say' after the 2011 tour, yet the material he had already written convinced him the story was far from over. Each era has expanded the project's narrative ambition, guest roster, and live presence, cementing Avantasia as a sustained creative endeavor rather than a one-off novelty.