ERIC SINGER, ALEX HOLZWARTH To Appear On New AVANTASIA Album

Acclaimed drummers Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER, BLACK SABBATH) and Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY OF FIRE, ANGRA, SIEGES EVEN) will both appear on the forthcoming album from EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project.

Commented Tobias: "Eric has played on many tracks [for the upcoming AVANTASIA CD], but we have composed some more. Problem was that now he is busy with KISS, they do a new album and they are on tour, and I couldn't talk him into quitting KISS and getting his priorities straight. [Laughs]"

He added, "Alex has been a longtime friend and he's a superb drummer, very different style.

"Eric is your Cozy Powell kind of thunderous rock drummer, Alex's drum work is more nimble and as the remaining songs were quite fast, Alex is a great choice. Both drummers are awesome musicians and great guys. And both are members of my extended family.

"Depending on the amount of coming material there may be a third drummer on the album; who knows? We got a lot of songs and as long as they are great, we will keep producing. People should expect a 10-disc collection in 2017. [Laughs]"

Regarding the new AVANTASIA album's musical direction, Sammet recently stated, "We've 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 . . . 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."

The latest album from AVANTASIA, "The Scarecrow", was 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's July 26, 2008 performance at the Rockin' Field Festival in Milan, Italy.