The Metal Opera

The Metal Opera
Studio album by Avantasia
Released	January 22, 2001 July 10, 2001
Recorded	Rhoen Studios, Germany
Genre	Symphonic metal Power metal
Length	59:08
Label	AFM Records Century Media Records
Producer	Tobias Sammet, Norman Meiritz
Avantasia chronology
Avantasia (single/EP) (2000) The Metal Opera (2001) The Metal Opera Part II (2002)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
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The Metal Opera is the first full-length album by Tobias Sammet's side project opera, Avantasia. It is a concept album and a rock opera, and further information on the story can be found here.

Track listing

All music and lyrics by Tobias Sammet

1. "Prelude" – 1:11
2. "Reach Out for the Light" – 6:33
3. "Serpents in Paradise" – 6:16
4. "Malleus Maleficarum" – 1:43
5. "Breaking Away" – 4:35
6. "Farewell" – 6:33
7. "The Glory of Rome" – 5:29
8. "In Nomine Patris" – 1:04
9. "Avantasia" – 5:32
10. "A New Dimension" – 1:39
11. "Inside" – 2:24
12. "Sign of the Cross" – 6:26
13. "The Tower" – 9:43

Credits

• Tobias Sammet (Edguy) - Keyboards, Vocals (see "Singers")
• Henjo Richter (Gamma Ray) - Guitars
• Markus Grosskopf (Helloween) - Bass guitar
• Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire) - Drums

Guests

Musicians

• Guitar
  • Jens Ludwig (Edguy) (lead on tracks 12 & 13)
  • Norman Meiritz (acoustic on track 6)
• Keyboards
  • Frank Tischer (Piano on track 11)

Singers

• Gabriel Laymann - Tobias Sammet (Edguy) - tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 & 13
• Lugaid Vandroiy - Michael Kiske (credited as Ernie) (ex-Helloween) - tracks 2, 5, 6, 9, & 13
• Friar Jakob - David DeFeis (Virgin Steele) - tracks 3 & 13
• Bailiff Falk von Kronberg - Ralf Zdiarstek - tracks 4 & 7
• Anna Held - Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation) - track 6
• Bishop Johann von Bicken - Rob Rock (ex Axel Rudi Pell, ex Angelica, ex Warrior, Driver, Impellitteri) - track 7 & 12
• Pope Clement VIII - Oliver Hartmann (ex-At Vance) - tracks 7, 12 & 13
• Elderane the Elf - Andre Matos (ex-Symfonia, ex-Shaaman, ex-Angra, ex-Viper) - tracks 11, 12 & 13
• Regrin the Dwarf - Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray, ex-Helloween) - tracks 11 & 12
• Voice of the Tower - Timo Tolkki (ex-Symfonia, ex-Revolution Renaissance, ex-Stratovarius) - track 13

Charts

Chart	Peak position	Certifications
Finland	36
France	118
Germany	35
Sweden	48