Avantasia, the band created by Edguy frontman Tobias Sammet, has big news to share today. They have announced that the band will play some shows in North America, which will include their second appearance in Canada. Musicians already confirmed for the shows are: Michael Kiske, Jørn Lande, Eric Martin, Ronnie Atkins, Amanda Somerville, Herbie Langhans, Sascha Paeth and Oliver Hartmann. Furthermore, Avantasia will take part in the preliminary TV casting show to choose the candidate to represent Germany at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm this May. The group will compete with its current single, "Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose".

Confirmed North American shows:

April 13 - Canada - Toronto, Queen Elizabeth Theater
April 15 - USA - New York, Playstation Theater

Here's a little clip from the last Avantasia show in Canada.



Mastermind Tobias Sammet commented: "Great news - my North American friends - we're coming back! You know, the few memories I have of our last Avantasia show in Canada are a bit blurry. Back then I went from hospital right to the stage as I had some real mean flu. I was so high on whatever medication the doctor gave me to make the show, all I remember are the green little creatures in my dressing room that were calling me names but always disappeared under the sofa whenever I tried to catch them to confront them with their silly behavior... Now, looking at the video I sounded quite a bit awful, ha! But I've been told I was funny and a very happy person that night. And I'm happy to say we'll back - in great shape - Toronto and New York confirmed, West Coast show in the works. Unfortunately Bob Cately won't be able to join us for the dates outside Europe as he will be off on a Magnum tour, but we'll bring Michi Kiske, Jorn Lande, Eric Martin, Ronnie Atkins, Amanda Somerville, Herbie Langhans, Sascha Paeth, Olli Hartmann and me of course... And Miro. And Andre on bass... And as if that wasn't enough on drums there will be no other than...the drummer! Can't wait to hit the stage!"




Tobias Sammet said regarding Eurovision: "Hey folks, quite busy these days. New album in the pipeline, the slave drivers in my record company have kept me talking for months, something like 400 interviews, where's Amnesty International when you really need them?! Anyway, video's shot, most interviews done, and early March, we'll set off on the Ghostlights world tour. As you know, Madrid and Hamburg are sold out, also the second Madrid show is on its way. More dates like London, Moscow and São Paulo as well. Have I told you that you rock big time? And you know what? We have just been confirmed to headline Tuska Open Air in Finland...Which means there'll be a second show in Scandinavia this time. And there'll also be some more American dates to be announced soon! Check out the tour section at avantasia.net to get info and tickets... Anyway, as if that all wasn't enough we've been asked by our record label if we'd be willing to take part in the German preliminary round for the Eurovision Song Contest. My mother's gonna be proud. Or not. We'll see...Anyway, it seemed like a quite unusual idea to compete with anyone in music, to play music against someone...like in Jazz music! 'Everyone against everyone,' as my Avantasia pal Ronnie Atkins has put it (after watching a Free Jazz show in Bremen...)."

He continued: "However: Who am I to get in the way of a great promotional opportunity?! Three minutes to show millions that something like us exists? Gimme that stage! So, in case you turn on your TV on the 25th of February and you virtually bump into bunch of people that look like Avantasia, that's maybe because it is Avantasia! Ha! Cheerz and talk to you soon, T."

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Avantasia