In 1999 Tobias started his side project AVANTASIA. What was originally planned as a one-off studio affair, was revived in 2007. The album "The Scarecrow" was released in 2008 and was officially amongst the 20 best selling albums all over Europe upon its release, it entered the charts in 15 countries (Germany #8), featured the Top 10 hit single "Lost In Space" and producer Sascha Paeth received an award for "The Scarecrow" having been chosen "Best Rock Production 2008" by the Association of German Sound Engineers (VDT).

On the album Tobias had been working with fellow musicians like Jorn Lande, Eric Singer (KISS), Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS), Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske both ex-HELLOWEEN), Alice Cooper and many more. The unexpected success of the album resulted in a Festival-tour, climaxing with a headlining show at the prestigious Wacken Open Air in front of more than 85.000 people. When the tour was over AVANTASIA had played in Europe, Asia and South America in front of more than half a million people. Tobias later recalled: "Allstar albums are being recorded quite often, but I don't think the Heavy Metal circus has seen a giant allstar show like that travelling around the world."

To this date EDGUY and AVANTASIA have sold more than 2.5 million CDs worldwide - exclusively on Independent labels and to quote Tobias: "(...) without kissing ass in today's fast food music business (...)" Currently he is working on a new AVANTASIA album which is scheduled for the end of 2009. You can also see him touring with EDGUY this summer.