What do legends like ALICE COOPER, the US glam rockers KISS or the hard rock veterans SCORPIONS have in common? All of them have worked together with the south German and fancy rock TOBIAS SAMMET.

People who have been informed about the happenings in the worldwide rock scene, know who or what TOBIAS SAMMET and his solo project AVANTASIA are. As a solo artist or as the front man of EDGUY, one of the biggest international successful German rock bands of the last decade, his road is paved with success. Uncountable gigs in over 40 countries on four continents, world tours, tours with bands like AEROSMITH, the invitation as special guest for the upcoming SCORPIONS-farewell tour, a row of Top 10 releases in Europe and in total over 2,5 million sold copies since the end of the 90’s speak a really clear language. Only recently a journalist encapsulated it well: Germany has a real international rock star again, but there are still some rocker and rollers, who didn’t get it so far.

Already in the year 1999, Tobias had begun to work on a side project. The aim was to create ”a mixture of a solo album and a rock opera with a bunch of famous guest musicians”. His project’s debut was named ”TOBIAS SAMMET’S AVANTASIA” (direct quote: ”My common name sounded too boring so I had to add some kitsch”) and it was more than just a decent result. Just like the second creation in 2002 it entered the charts all over Europe.

In 2007 TOBIAS went viral: With top-class guests like ALICE COOPER, members of SCORPIONS, KISS and many other stars, the third AVANTASIA-masterpiece ”The Scarecrow” entered shortly after the release the album charts in over 15 countries and the single ”Lost In Space” was a Top 10 hit. So the chart breaker was honoured by the VDT (Association of German recording engineers) as the ”Best Rock Production 2008”.

Despite his busy lifestyle and another two world tours TOBIAS SAMMET spent the few free weeks in 2008 and 2009 in the studio to work together with producer Sascha Paeth on new AVANTASIA-material which is now in the form of the albums ”The Wicked Symphony” and ”Angel Of Babylon” just before its release (April 3rd). Like the former masterpieces there will be breathtaking performances of numerous guest stars for the fans. So the majority of the drums was recorded with KISS-drummer ERIC SINGER, ex-KISS-guitarist BRUCE KULICK did many lead guitars and JUDAS PRIEST-fans are able to look forward to the cooperation with RIPPER OWENS. In addition to it there is the duet of TOBIAS and SCORPIONS-front man KLAUS MEINE on the hymnal earwig ”Dying For An Angel”. For this song there also has been a video shooting.

April 3rd is the day for the fans of handmade bombast rock to convict themselves of the quality of two majestic creations; creations of an artist who roamed the world to show that there will be rock from Germany again.

Genre: Rock / Metal
Label: Nuclear Blast GmbH
Release Dates: 03.04.2010

Track Listing:
01. The Wicked Symphony 9:28
02. Wastelands 4:43
03. Scales Of Justice 5:03
04. Dying For An Angel 4:31
05. Blizzard On A Broken Mirror 6:06
06. Runaway Train 8:41
07. Crestfallen 4:01
08. Forever Is A Long Time 5:05
09. Black Wings 4:37
10. States Of Matter 3:56
11. The Edge 4:11