The new AVANTASIA album Ghostlights entered the official charts in 17 countries on 3 different continents.

Via Facebook Tobias Sammet posted: "Thank you - Greatest fans in the world! I can't tell you how happy and proud I am! I have experienced a lot but so far I had never entered the charts in 17 countries on 3 continents simultaneously! WOW! Thank You! I am in the middle of getting ready for the tour, there will be the semi finals of the EUROVISION SONG CONTEST (February 25th, 20:15) - I COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT, OK? MUCHAS GRACIAS! Tobi"

• Germany: #2
• Czech Republic: #2
• USA: #2 (Heatseekers)
• UK: #3 (Rockcharts)
• Canada: #6 (Hard music)
• Sweden: #7
• USA: #7 (Hard music)
• Switzerland: #8
• Austria: #10
• Finland: #11
• Japan: #11
• Norway: #17
• Hungary: #19
• Spain: #19
• USA: #25 (Rock)
• Italy: #33
• Netherlands: #48
• Belgium: #50
• UK: #53
• France: #54
• USA: 101
• Canada: #101 (Top albums)

This is the best starting position for AVANTASIA as they compete for the German preliminary decision of the Eurovision Songcontest in Stockholm, taking place on February 25 in Cologne. The giant rock concept doesn't fit in a certain category, mystic, magic, metal and bombast unite with epic melodies and create a spectacular firework. No surprise that many medias consider AVANTASIA as the most promising candidate for the contest.

"I am more than happy about this huge success of Ghostlights and the acceptance from our fans", Tobias comments.

If Tobias Sammet requests, they all come. After past guest appearances by prestigious musicians such as Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS) and some members of legendary US bands such as KISSor MR. BIG, it is no surprise that there’s once again a long list of guest musicians.

Besides the legendary TWISTED SISTER vocalist Dee Snider, NIGHTWISH icon Marco Hietala and WITHIN TEMPTATION power woman Sharon Den Adel - who sang already on the AVANTASIA debut, The Metal Opera (2001) - there’s also Michael Kiske (UNISONIC, ex-HELLOWEEN), Ronnie Atkins (PRETTY MAIDS),Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Jorn Lande (JORN, ex-MASTERPLAN), Bruce Kulick (ex-KISS, ex-MEAT LOAF),Robert Mason (WARRANT, ex-LYNCH MOB), Herbie Langhans (SINBREED), Felix Bohnke (EDGUY), Oliver Hartmann, Michael Rodenberg and Sascha Paeth.

Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA long-awaited new rock opera masterpiece Ghostlights is out now via Nuclear Blast.

Watch the music video for "Mystery Of A Red Rose" as well as the lyric video for "Ghostlights" on the Nuclear Blast YouTube channel!

Below is the track listing for Ghostlights:

Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose - Lead vocals: Tobias / Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth

Let The Storm Descend Upon You - Lead vocals: Tobias, Jorn Lande, Ronnie Atkins, Robert Mason / Lead guitar: Oliver Hartmann

The Haunting - Lead vocals: Dee Snider, Tobias / Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth

Seduction Of Decay - Lead vocals: Geoff Tate, Tobias / Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth

Ghostlights - Lead vocals: Michael Kiske, Tobias, Jorn Lande / Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth, Oliver Hartmann

Draconian Love - Lead vocals: Herbie Langhans, Tobias / Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth

Master Of The Pendulum - Lead vocals: Marco Hietala, Tobias / Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth

Isle Of Evermore - Lead vocals: Sharon Den Adel, Tobias

Babylon Vampyres - Lead vocals: Tobias, Robert Mason / Lead guitar: Bruce Kulick, Oliver Hartmann, Sascha Paeth

Lucifer - Lead vocals: Jorn Lande, Tobias / Lead guitar: Bruce Kulick

Unchain The Light - Lead vocals: Tobias, Ronnie Atkins, Michael Kiske / Lead guitar: Sascha Paeth, Oliver Hartmann

A Restless Heart And Obsidian Skies - Lead vocals: Bob Catley, Tobias / Lead guitar: Bruce Kulick

Don't forget, AVANTASIA will take part in the German preliminary round of the Eurovision Song Contest onFebruary 25th (German National TV ARD, 8.15pm CET, live from Cologne). The band will perform 'Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose'.

Visit AVANTASIA online at:

www.AVANTASIA.net

www.facebook.com/AVANTASIA

Twitter.com/_AVANTASIA

www.youtube.com/AVANTASIAOFFICIAL

Visit TOBIAS SAMMET online at:

www.TOBIASSAMMET.com

Twitter.com/TOBIASSAMMET