Considered one of Germany's most successful symphonic rock group's, Avantasia is currently touring the world in support of their new album Moonglow. Formed by Tobias Sammet as a metal opera project in 1999, Moonglow is the eighth studio album from the supergroup and was inspired by Sammet's fascination for the moon.

A concept album, the story centers itself on a nocturnal creature struggling to cope with the reality of boldness and beauty and ultimately decides to hide itself away from the world under the moonglow.

Prior to the albums release, Sammet announced the Moonglow World Tour as well as his excitement to take what he describes as some of the group's best work on the road.

In a press release, Tobias Sammet states:

"I've been trying to calm things down for the last 18 months, but apparently my best way of relaxing is to be creative! During this phase, tons of ideas have been coming to my mind, that literally demanded to be realized in Avantasia's epic style. I was so convinced of the songs that I realized very quickly: if ever there is to be a new chapter of Avantasia, then it has to happen with this material - past all the trends and rules of the music industry, hand-made and personal, with epic 10-minute pieces alongside catchy rock songs! Everything was created for only one reason: to write great music without any business men shaping it into bite-sized pieces for the modern entertainment landscape. Moonglow will be the most lavish album of my career, the biggest, most colorful thing and the best and most unreasonable luxury, I have ever created in my life. I can’t wait to release the album in January and then take the Moonglow World Tour on a journey around the globe, where you will witness the biggest show Avantasia has ever put on stage!"

Wondering what's been happening on the tour so far? Here are some highlights!

The Setlist:

The setlist features just under 24 tracks and pulls from Moonglow as well as a number of other albums from the rockers catalog, including Bossa Nova Hotel, The Wicked Symphony, Lost in Space, Part 1, The Scarecrow and Ghostlights. While we don't have the most recent setlist - calling out to any fans that want to add an update on Setlist.fm - here's the latest from their show at the the Forum Karlín in Prague.

The Encore:

They regularly do an encore that includes 2 songs, "Farewell" and "Sign of the Cross / The Seven Angels."

The Show

What makes Avantasia particularly special is their use of spectacular vocalists. The performance features a number of singers taking lead on the tracks, including Ronnie Atkins, Jørn Lande, Geoff Tate, Adrienne Cowan, Bob Catley and Eric Martin.

The Covers:

There is one cover throughout the extensive setlist, a rendition of Michael Sembello's "Maniac" performed by Eric Martin.

Find the group performing throughout Europe till late May, remaining tour dates listed below!

Avantasia's Moonglow World Tour Dates:

4/3 - GER - Berlin, Huxley´s
4/5 - GER - Ludwigsburg, Arena
4/6 - GER - Bamberg, Brose Arena
4/8 - GER - Fulda, Esperanto Halle
4/9 - GER - Saarbrücken, Saarlandhalle
4/10 - FR - Paris, Olympia
4/12 - GER - Osnabrueck, Stadthalle
4/13 - GER - Hamburg, Mehr! Theater
4/14 - GER - Oberhausen, Koenig Pilsener Arena
4/16 - UK - London, The Forum
4/18 - GER - Offenbach, Stadthalle
4/19 CH - Pratteln, Z7
4/20 - CH - Pratteln, Z7
4/24 - ES - Bilbao, Santana 27
4/26 - ES - Barcelona, Razzmatazz 1
4/27 - ES - Madrid, Palacio Vistalegre