EDGUY Frontman Discusses Forthcoming AVANTASIA Album

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's official web site has been updated with a brand new interview with the singer/songwriter about the forthcoming album from his AVANTASIA project. The question-and-answer session follows below.

Q: Tobias, how are things going in the studio?

Sammet: I am pretty damn busy, there's a lot of work to be done. I've been working on this forthcoming material for more than two years on and off. But the material will be worth the wait. We got quite many songs, and it ranges from epic ballads to metal opera. From pop to hard rock to folk to speed metal. My best friend, who co-wrote the story of "The Metal Opera" back then, just listened to some of the tracks and he said that it will blow people away and enchant AVANTASIA fans and it will surely piss people off.

Q: What do you mean? It will offend people?

Sammet: Well, it always does. It's a tradition for everything I've done. "The Metal Opera" did, because it wasn't fashionable; "The Scarecrow" did because it wasn't fashionable and it wasn't "The Metal Opera". And this one will do as well, 'cause it isn't fashionable, it isn't "The Metal Opera" and it isn't "The Scarecrow". It's just enchanting music. And these days honest and good music is kind of offending to some, that's pretty sick, isn't it? But as long as I get goose bumps hearing majestic music, I do not really care if I am fashionable or not.

Q: Can you reveal some names of the guests who will be included?

Sammet: Of course I could. But, at this point, I don't wanna say too much. I will keep people posted on the website, the countdown is on. We will reveal secret by secret when we feel the time is right.

Q: When can we expect the album to be due?

Sammet: I don't know exactly; there's a ton of work to be done. There'll be some extensive choir sessions to be done. It's not the kind of album you do in a couple of weeks. This whole project is probably the most ambitious I have worked on. I know, I said that about previous albums before, but that being said: You better believe it. I have worked on more than ten albums, and this time the amount and intense of the music is mind-blowing. So, back to the question: I work on it until we are happy with every single syllable and note. I feel this album is the soundtrack to a certain era of my life, so I don't wanna rush. I feel this is going to be a very important album in my career, so I'll take all the time I need.

Q: Any last words for the visitors of TobiasSammet.com?

Sammet: Thanks for your patience, people. I am really enjoying working on that album. I don't want the production to come to an end; that's why I take my time. I hope you bear with me and feel the magic once it's going to be released. I'll put a lot of it in there!

The latest album from AVANTASIA, "The Scarecrow", was officially one of the 20 best-selling albums in whole Europe during the fourth week of January 2008, according to a press release.

"The Scarecrow" was released on January 25, 2008 as a standard CD as well as rare picture (double) vinyl.

"The Scarecrow", which features a long list of guest musicians (including Bob Catley, ex-MASTERPLAN frontman Jorn Lande, ex-HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske, Alice Cooper, KISS drummer Eric Singer, SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker and GAMMA RAY's Kai Hansen),produced a Top 10 German hit single, "Lost In Space", and entered the national charts in 15 countries, with the CD landing in the Top 10 in four countries.

Italian news blog Musica Metal has posted video footage (see below) of AVANTASIA performing on July 26, 2008 at the Rockin' Field Festival in Milan, Italy.

"Lost in Space":