“Ghostlights”, the seventh studio album from EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet’s AVANTASIA project, has entered the German chart at position No. 2. Released on January 29 via Nuclear Blast, the twelve-song CD was produced by Tobias and Sascha Paeth at Gatestudio in Wolfsburg, Germany. Paeth engineered and mixed “Ghostlights”, while the mastering was done by Michael Rodenberg.
AVANTASIA released a new digital single, “Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose”, on December 11.
Commented Tobias: “In my humble opinion, [‘Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose’] is the perfect overture to the seventy-minute journey which the full album is going to be.
“Although ‘Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose’ is a rather short composition compared to most other AVANTASIA songs, I wanted to embellish and amplify it with flamboyance and all AVANTASIA trademarks. I wanted to make it a detailed piece of fantasy art, but at the same time it was a big challenge to make that painting look inherently consistant if you view it from the distance. The layered choirs took us forever to record and yet nothing distracts from the main theme and flow of the song. Every time you give it a listen, you will discover something else going on.
“I have a feeling that I have never managed to create such an epic and dreamy atmosphere in just four minutes. I’ve gotta admit I am slightly proud of it!”
“Ghostlights” features guest appearances by:
* Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER)
* Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE)
* Marco Hietala (NIGHTWISH)
* Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION)
* Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN)
* Ronnie Atkins (PRETTY MAIDS)
* Bob Catley (MAGNUM)
* Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN)
* Bruce Kulick (KISS)
* Robert Mason (WARRANT)
* Herbie Langhans (SEVENTH AVENUE, SINBREED)
* Oliver Hartmann
* Sascha Paeth
The instrumentalists on “Ghostlights” are as follows:
* Sascha Paeth – rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, additional keys
* Michael Rodenberg – orchestration, keys
* Tobias Sammet – additional keys and bass
* Bruce Kulick – lead guitar
* Oliver Hartmann – lead guitar
* Felix Bohnke – drums
CD
01. Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose
Lead vocals: Tobias
Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth
02. Let The Storm Descend Upon You
Lead vocals: Tobias, Jorn Lande, Ronnie Atkins, Robert Mason
Lead guitar: Oliver Hartmann
03. The Haunting
Lead vocals: Dee Snider, Tobias
Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth
04. Seduction Of Decay
Lead vocals: Geoff Tate, Tobias
Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth
05. Ghostlights
Lead vocals: Michael Kiske, Tobias, Jorn Lande
Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth, Oliver Hartmann
06. Draconian Love
Lead vocals: Herbie Langhans, Tobias
Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth
07. Master Of The Pendulum
Lead vocals: Marco Hietala, Tobias
Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth
08. Isle Of Evermore
Lead vocals: Sharon Den Adel, Tobias
09. Babylon Vampyres
Lead vocals: Tobias, Robert Mason
Lead guitar: Bruce Kulick, Oliver Hartmann, Sascha Paeth
10. Lucifer
Lead vocals: Jorn Lande, Tobias
Lead guitar: Bruce Kulick
11. Unchain The Light
Lead vocals: Tobias, Ronnie Atkins, Michael Kiske
Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth, Oliver Hartmann
12. A Restless Heart And Obsidian Skies
Lead vocals: Bob Catley, Tobias
Lead guitar: Bruce Kulick
Digibook
CD 1
01. Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose
02. Let The Storm Descend Upon You
03. The Haunting
04. Seduction Of Decay
05. Ghostlights
06. Draconian Love
07. Master Of The Pendulum
08. Isle Of Evermore
09. Babylon Vampyres
10. Lucifer
11. Unchain The Light
12. A Restless Heart And Obsidian Skies
13. Wake Up To The Moon (bonus track)
CD 2 (Bonus Disc – AVANTASIA live)
01. Spectres
02. Invoke The Machine
03. The Story Ain’t Over
04. Prelude
05. Reach Out For The Light
06. Avantasia
07. Whats Left Of Me
08. Dying For An Angel
09. Twisted Mind
10. The Watchmakers’ Dream
11. Another Angel Down
—
Earbook (digibook including 68-page photobook, 28.5×28.5cm)+ CD 3 karaoke version of CD 1 without bonus track
01. Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose
02. Let The Storm Descend Upon You
03. The Haunting
04. Seduction Of Decay
05. Ghostlights
06. Draconian Love
07. Master Of The Pendulum
08. Isle Of Evermore
09. Babylon Vampyres
10. Lucifer
11. Unchain The Light
12. A Restless Heart And Obsidian Skies
Mailorder Box
– Earbook
– Poster
– Autograph
– Lanyard + Pass
– 10″ Vinyl (tracks to be confirmed)
Vinyl
Side A
01. Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose
02. Let The Storm Descend Upon You
03. The Haunting
Side B
01. Seduction Of Decay
02. Ghostlights
03. Draconian Love
Side C
01. Master Of The Pendulum
02. Isle Of Evermore
03. Babylon Vampyres
Side D
01. Lucifer
02. Unchain The Light
03. A Restless Heart And Obsidian Skies
04. Wake Up To The Moon (bonus track)
Source: Blabbermouth