AVANTASIA: Lichtenfels Footage Available

Fan-filmed video footage of AVANTASIA — the project led by EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet — performing on December 3, 2010 at Stadthalle in Lichtenfels, Germany as part of the "The Metal Opera Comes To Town" world tour 2010 can be viewed below. Joining Sammet in AVANTASIA's touring lineup are a number of special guests, including GAMMA RAY/ex-HELLOWEEN guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen, Bob Catley (MAGNUM),Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN),Amanda Somerville, Olli Hartmann and Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN).

Commented Sammet: "The band is much tighter than last time, everybody is having a great time and it feels just 'right' to be up there. It feels right for everyone of us and right after the show we all came to the conclusion that it was the best thing to happen to go up on that stage again.

"It felt great to see Michi [Michael Kiske] and Kai on stage, it felt great to sing those ballads with Bob and, of course, I am having a ball singing those diabolic duets with Jorn. I am so looking forward to traveling around the world with my fellows, the next three weeks will be amazing for all of us and hopefully for all of you."

Although rumors keep circulating about further shows from AVANTASIA in 2011, a statement on Tobias' official web site makes it clear that after AVANTASIA's December world tour, there will be no more tours or festival appearances from the project apart from the Wacken Open Air show in August 2011.

Commented Sammet: "In 2011 we will not play any show except from the Wacken show, due to commitments that we all have with our individual main bands. That's why we are very happy about having found a time frame to bring the show on stage in December. 'The Metal Opera Comes To Town' world tour 2010 will be a special event that will be neither repeated nor continued. That's why we'll play as many songs as possible and make it a special experience for us as much as for our fans. Because we are not naive enough to believe that this lineup will ever get the chance to share the stage again after the forthcoming tour."

Remaining AVANTASIA tour dates:

Dec. 08 - Japan - Tokyo, Shinagawa Stella Ball
Dec. 10 - Mexico - Mexico City, Circo Volador
Dec. 13 - Brazil - Sao Paulo, CTN
Dec. 15 - Argentina - Buenos Aires, [venue to be announced]
Dec. 18 - Germany - Fulda, Esperantohalle *
Dec. 19 - Germany - Essen, Grugahalle *
Aug. 06, 2011 - Germany - Wacken, Wacken Open Air

* Due to the fact that this is not a regular or annual tour but an extensive AVANTASIA event and experience, these shows will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.

AVANTASIA released its new epic masterpiece on April 3 as regular CDs ("The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon"),two separate double picture vinyls, and as a beautiful collector's edition with an AVANTASIA picture book.