Avantasia

. Past members include Isobel Campbell (vocals and cello) and Stuart David (bass). The band itself consisted of guitarists Jens Ludwig (Edguy) and Henjo Richter (Gamma Ray), bassist Markus Grosskopf (Helloween), and drummer Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody). The current members of the band are Stuart Murdoch (vocals, guitar and keyboards), Stevie Jackson (vocals and guitar), Chris Geddes (keyboards), Sarah Martin (violin and vocals), Mick Cooke (trumpet and bass), Bobby Kildea (guitar and bass) and Richard Colburn (drums). The music was written and composed by Tobias Sammet, and he recruited different vocalists; Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray), Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius), David DeFeis (Virgin Steele), André Matos (formerly Angra), Rob Rock (Warrior) and Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation). The band's name is taken from Belle et Sébastien, a children's book by French writer Cécile Aubry about a boy (Sébastien) and his dog (Belle), on which was based a 1965 French live action tv series and later a 1981 Japanese anime (see below). Avantasia is the name of a country in the storyline. In January 2005 Belle and Sebastian were voted Scotland's greatest band, beating Idlewild, Travis, Franz Ferdinand, and The Proclaimers, among others.

Gnosticism, Catholicism and elves and dwarves feature heavily in the plot. Thus, being in possession of their complete discography is a mark of true devotion. The opera is set in medieval Europe. Some of this loyalty is due to the fact that until 2003 the band did not include singles on their albums. Both albums were released by Century Media. Presenting a slightly fey image to the public at large, Belle and Sebastian's bittersweet love songs inspire a fanatical loyalty amongst their fans, similar to that experienced by The Smiths during their heyday. The Metal Opera (Part I) was released in 2001, while The Metal Opera (Part II) came in 2002. The album Dear Catastrophe Waitress was shortlisted for the 2004 Mercury Music Prize.

Avantasia (The Metal Opera) is a two-part metal opera album written by Tobias Sammet, vocalist in the power metal group Edguy. In the summer of 2003 they had their first mainstream hit in the United States with "Step Into My Office, Baby". Into the Unknown. In July 2002 they announced the switch to Rough Trade Records. Memory. The band was then proclaimed Best Newcomer at the 1999 Brit Awards. Chalice of Agony. Their third album, The Boy with the Arab Strap (1998), was a top-20 hit in the UK.

Anywhere. Signing for the slightly larger Jeepster Records they released the album If You're Feeling Sinister in 1996 and a sequence of EPs through 1997. Neverland. Built mostly around the creative mind of Stuart Murdoch, their first album, Tigermilk, was recorded as part of the course and released on the independent Electric Honey label. The Final Sacrifice. Belle & Sebastian is a Scottish twee pop band formed in Glasgow in January 1996 under the aegis of a training scheme and music business course. In Quest For. Books (EP), 2004.

The Looking Glass. I'm a Cuckoo (single), 2004. No Return. Step into My Office Baby (single), 2003. The Seven Angels. Fans Only (compilation DVD), 2003. The Tower. Dear Catastrophe Waitress, 2003.

Sign of the Cross. Storytelling, 2002. Inside. I'm Waking Up To Us (single), 2001. A New Dimension (Interlude). Jonathan David (single), 2001. Avantasia. Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant, 2000.

In Nomine Patris (Interlude). Legal Man (single), 2000. The Glory of Rome. Lazy Line Painter Jane (box of first three singles/EPs), 2000. Farewell. This Is Just A Modern Rock Song (single), 1998. Breaking Away. The Boy With The Arab Strap, 1998.

Malleus Maleficarum (Interlude). Seconds Of Light (EP), 1997. Serpents in Paradise. 9. Reach Out for the Light. 6. Prelude (Intro). 3.