[youtube]https://youtu.be/lCQx6eV8b6k[/youtube]

Yesterday the German symphonic metal project Tobias Sammet’s Avantasia announced that they are returning in 2016 to follow up their sequel to their 2013 release The Mystery of Time. Cue unapologetically high-pitched, giddy, fangirl scream. They will be releasing their seventh album, Ghostlights, in January of 2016 via Nuclear Blast Records, and following it up with a world tour. They even announced that there will be an EP/single coming this Fall to satiate the fans’ thirst for new music in anticipation for the album.

Lead singer/songwriter Tobias Sammet on working on the album:

“In the past months I’ve spent a lot of time in the studio, an odd recluse in the basement, secretly working obsessively on something that reads and feels and sounds like a new – very strong – chapter in the story of AVANTASIA. I must say AVANTASIA is a fantastic outlet for creativity, and it’s truly inspiring to create a piece of music for so many great vocalists and instrumentalists… The new material is very bombastic and dynamic, and even though it’s extremely diverse, every minute of it sounds like AVANTASIA.”

Probably the least surprising part of their announcement, there were no North American dates, and if history is any sort of hint at whether there will be or not, we’ll be lucky to get a singular show. Cue angry, curse word laden tirade, followed by tears. If you’re lucky enough to have them coming to a venue near you, that would be an opportunity best left un-wasted. They will be performing a three-hour set every night, with a large caste of performers just as the metal opera deserves. There is still hope, however, their website does say that there are more worldwide dates are to come. Maybe that will even include a US date (wink wink nudge nudge). The ball is in your court now Tobi.

Sammet on the world tour:

“I’m really proud of what we’re creating right now. And as if that wasn’t enough: I’m anxiously looking forward to hitting the road again. I didn’t necessarily expect this to happen as in the past it has always been difficult to align the individual schedules of the guest stars, but things have worked out, and we’re ready to make it happen one more time! We’ll put on a big show, we’re gonna play over three hours, and we’ll take the fans to a magical world all its own – to AVANTASIA. The live setlist is going to embrace the entire history of AVANTASIA, from “The Metal Opera” to “Ghostlights” and of course everything in between!”

GHOSTLIGHTS WORLD TOUR 2016
04.03. Germany – Berlin, Huxley´s
05.03. Germany – Hamburg, Große Freiheit
06.03. Germany – Bremen, Aladin
08.03. England – London, The Forum
09.03. France – Paris, Le Trianon
11.03. Spain – Barcelona, Razzmatazz 1
12.03. Spain – Madrid, La Riviera
15.03. Germany – Frankfurt-Langen, Stadthalle
16.03. Czech Republic – Prague, Forum Karlin
18.03. Germany – Kaufbeuren, All-Karthalle
19.03. Germany – Bamberg, brose-Arena
20.03. Germany – Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle
22.03. Italy – Milan, Alcatraz
24.03. Switzerland – Pratteln, z7
25.03. Switzerland – Pratteln, z7
27.03. Slovakia – Banska Bystrica, Ice Stadium
28.03. Slovakia – Bratislava, Sportshall
31.03. Germany – Saarbrücken, Saarlandhalle
01.04. Germany – Ludwigsburg, Arena
02.04. Germany – Fulda, Esperantohalle

h/t: r/powermetal