Archived News :: 2007

::December 24th 2007::
NEW AVANTASIA VIDEOCLIP ONLINE!

The video clip for the new power ballad "Carry Me Over" taken from the forthcoming Avantasia album "The Scarecrow" is online now.

To see the video click here!
To check a trailer for the full album click here!


::December 21st 2007::
THE SCARECROW DELUXE EDITION AVAILABLE!

The first edition of the new Avantasia epic, coming out January 25th, will be a digipak containing the CD plus a bonus DVD featuring video clips, making-of, an EPK, two bonus tracks and a song-by-song-interview in which Tobias explains the concept of the album. This edition will be strictly limited and once sold out it won't be re-printed. To make sure you get your limited edition, click here.


::December 17th 2007::
TOBIAS ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS!

Ask Tobias is back. Now it's your turn to post the question you've always wanted to ask and Tobias will answer on this website, so we'll have an interview conducted by fans. Please phrase your question as brief as possible and avoid questions like "When is Edguy coming to New Foundland?"! Apart from that feel free to ask any critical question you like. Please understand, that he may not be able to answer all incoming questions, but the team will pre-select the ones that may be most interesting for the majority of our visitors. Ask Tobias


::December 15th 2007::
CHECK THE NEW ALBUM THE SCARECROW!

On January 25th 2008 the new Avantasia album "The Scarecrow" will be released. Click here to watch an album trailer to get a first impression. The pre-album EPs "Lost In Space 1 & 2" have been released in November and instantly rocketed into the to the official single charts in various countries (Germany #9, Sweden #3 and #4, Norway #4, Austria #48, France #66...)


::November 30th 2007::
NEW INTERVIEW WITH TOBIAS ONLINE!


Your new EPs have entered the top10 of the single charts in various countries, a.o. at #9 in Germany, in Sweden even at #3 and #4. Are you satisfied with everything so far?

When the record company told me about the single chart entry I was overwhelmed. Nobody could have expected this, especially unlike all the other Top10 hits our song wasn't played on radio or TV. It was just the hard core of my fans who made this possible and that's what I am really thankful for. On one hand the most important thing is that I am happy with the material myself but on the other hand chart positions like that are the icing on the cake. We are the first band on our label Nuclear Blast Records that has a single rocketing into the Top10 upon its release.

I don't know if this has got through to you at all, but there are a few of your older fans that don't like the softer direction especially of the song "Lost In Space". They accuse you of selling out commercially. Any comment on this?

That's totally unfair. Every successful artist has to go through this I guess, especially when you dare to break down a few stylistic barriers here and there. I love the song as it is, and everybody's got the right to like or dislike it. But nobody has the right to come up with accusals of things that are just not true. It is good for our beloved Metal to break out of certain schemes, be controversial and take a risk. I don't wanna be a square and boring slave that wants to be loved by everybody and that delivers ten Speed Metal songs just because someone demands it. I know that especially in Japan my fans would have loved to have ten Speed Metal songs, even a copy of the first two Avantasia albums. But they understand I can't do that, because it would be dishonest and unfair. Maybe I'd get a lot of money for that, but I can not do things just because someone demands anything. Avantasia 1 and 2 are parts of me, and you will surely hear that on "The Scarecrow". But nevertheless I wanna come up with new elements as well, no matter if I get flak or not! " Lost In Space" is one of two radio friendly songs, that will never be heard on radio I guess, the rest of the album is heavier stuff. The whole discussion is completely stupid.

So to put your fans at ease we can assure, that you won't become the German Jon Bon Jovi.

Haha, it seems like he is the public enemy number one for the young Heavy Metal generation. I gotta say something: Bon Jovi headlined the Monsters Of Rock in Donington 1987, I love his old stuff. But I am Tobias Sammet. An artist with the name Tobias Sammet will be ignored by radio whatever I do. Bon Jovi gets airplay because of his name. If you know how the music biz works you gotta admit that - no matter how radio friendly "Lost In Space" may appear to some fans - the chance to get airplay equals almost zero. Tailoring a song in order to get airplay would be lunatic.

To come to an end with the commerce topic, a last reproach of a few fans: Some reproach you for sell out because you released two EPs prior to the album:

Bollocks! The labels need singles in order to get attention for the forthcoming record. I just don't like singles, because I wouldn't wanna buy a CD with one song in three versions. We just had so much additional material, so we did two singles with a lot of bonus stuff. A single is very important to prepare the market for the release of an album but ecconomically they generate a big loss, everybody who knows the business will have to admit that. All you can do is hope that the single enters the charts on a good position, because that will make the retailers order bigger amounts of the real album later on. That's an important thing, the CD market is doing so bad these days, you gotta make sure your album is available out there.

Okay, then we have finally cleared this up. So after "Lost In Space" what do we have to expect from the forthcoming album "The Scarecrow"? The EPs had a lot of variety already, will that variety continue on the album?

Absolutely! There will be a lot of elements on the album resembling the first two Avantasia albums, but there's also gonna be more variety. There is the highly bombastic title track with a running time of more than eleven minutes, which could doubtlessly be the mature brother of "The Seven Angels". We have heavy groovers like "Twisted Mind" or the eerie "The Toy Master", that has a weird Horror-touch, thanks to Alice Cooper and his cutting voice. But there'll be also a few singalong rock songs like "Lost In Space" or a modern semi ballad called "Carry Me Over". I'd say it's basically a bombastic Metal album, but I was impudent enough to dare to include uncommon elements here and there, just to make it a bit more exciting. The Metal press says, that it's the strongest Avantasia album so far, that it sounds like Avantasia but that it also sounds very fresh, new and mature. Despite a Bon Jovi single I can't be that wrong I guess, haha. By the way, wait until people see the second video "Carry Me Over", people who thought "Lost In Space" was commercial will crucify me after that one, haha. But that's my definition of Metal: I know that I'll get flak and people wanna kill me for doing certain things, but I do what I like anyway.

What do you think, you'll achieve with this new record? Do you think you will repeat the success you had with "The Metal Opera part 1 & 2"?

Hard to say. Success is a feeling you give to yourself. To me success means to love the record I have recorded, even though the record was way more expensive than I had expected, haha. Every aspect of the production was top notch, we mixed six weeks, we mastered a whole week, we worked in the best and most expensive studios. I had the chance to work with icons like Alice Cooper and Rudolf Schenker. I am so damn happy with the album and the many beautiful recollections of the recording process. One press guy told me that this could become a milestone in Metal-history. Well, I am not in the position to judge and I don't know that. All I can do is hope that a lot of other people out there will be very happy with this album as well.

Only on iTunes you will find an extended bonus version of the song “Lost In Space” featuring ex Helloween singer Michael Kiske. This version is available for only 99 cents at iTunes now.

Only on iTunes you will find an extended bonus version of the song “Lost In Space” featuring ex Helloween singer Michael Kiske on vocals, for only 0,99 €, also available on Friday the 16th!

LOST IN SPACE - Part 1

1. Lost In Space
2. Lay All Your Love On Me
3. Another Angel Down (feat. Jorn Lande)
4. The Story Ain't Over (feat. Bob Catley & Amanda Somerville)
5. Return To Avantasia
6. Ride The Sky (feat. Eric Singer on vocals)
7. Lost In Space (video clip)
8. Lost In Space (making of the video clip)
9. Photo Gallery + Poster



LOST IN SPACE - Part 2

1. Lost In Space
2. Promised Land (feat. Jorn Lande & Michael Kiske)
3. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
4. Scary Eyes
5. In My Defense
6. Lost In Space (Alive At Gatestudio, feat. Amanda Somerville)
7. The Road To Avantasia (Studio report with interview)
8. Slideshow

::September 28th 2007::
NEW INTERVIEW WITH TOBIAS

Tobias Sammet is back with his project Avantasia again. Featuring guest stars like Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Sascha Paeth (ex-Heavens Gate), Eric Singer (Kiss), Rudolf Schenker (Scorpions), Alice Cooper, etc. he is ready to release another masterpiece. First press reactions span from "the best Avantasia stuff so far" to "a walking orgasm". On November 16th two EP''s "Lost In Space part 1" and "Part 2" will be released. tobiassammet.com took the chance to conduct a short interview with Tobias who is currently on a US tour with his band Edguy.


You're in the USA for the 4th time, how is this tour going so far?

First of all I am really happy that it finally happened at all and we are here. We've had to face a lot of trouble and the organisation in advance was not so good. Club tours in the USA are hard work. But let's face it: Even if you can play arenas in South America or Europe, this doesn't matter over here. It's a different story. There's plenty of work to be done, many asses have yet to be kicked. That being said: The fans are great, some travel thousands of miles to catch a show and we'll do everything to make it worthwile travelling every single mile. It's just clubs, no big arenas, but if it would be easy everybody could do it. We are willing to work our asses off and give people the show they deserve.

Many people keep wondering why have you decided to revive your project Avantasia. Aren't you fully stretched with Edguy anymore?

Let me tell you, I am happy to live the greatest life I could ever dream of which comprises being in Edguy but also being able to work with the greatest musicians in the world and do an album with my extended family in Rock. Life is too short to think about "Should I's" and "Can I's" and what have you. Back then it was a lot of negative stress to put Avantasia 1 & 2 together but time makes you forget about the struggles of the past. And with Sascha Paeth I have found a sidekick with whom producing an album is a walkover, the easiest and most positive thing in the world. If I will look back on the production of this album in five years, all I will remember are those endless nights in the studio and the goosebumps we've had whenever we had finished another song. It sounds cliché, but this is pure magic. I thank god I can be in Edguy, but if someone would give you the chance to record your best album to date with the greatest musicians in the world, with special guest legends like Alice Cooper and Rudolf Schenker, with the greatest producer in the world for the best recording budget in the world, well: You'd be an idiot if you wouldn't go for it.

The "Lost in Space" CDs are scheduled to come out in November. Why did you decide to release those two 6 track-albums in advance? Wouldn't it make more sense financially to release an additional full length album instead?

I've been going on record saying I don't like your typical single with one track the record company needs to release in advance in order to promote an album. And we've been on such a roll during the production, we said to ourselves: "Let's go on producing, no matter if we have enough great material already". You can never produce too much great material. I know that it may be stupid from an ecconomic point of view, but I am not starving and life is give-and-take. I am sure the fans will love the EPs and later on the album will benefit from having happy fans as well. And then the record company will get their advanced budget back I hope.

So what can we find on those "LIS" releases besides the title track?

The title track "Lost in Space" which I consider the "single song" will be the only identical song on both CDs. Each CD will feature five more individual tracks, we've recorded a great bombastic Metal version of an ABBA song for example, I've written a real epic anthem called "The Story Ain't Over", we've got a song featuring Eric Singer on vocals, Kiss fans may know what a great voice the man has. You will have the video and its making-of on one CD; and a studio report with interviews on the other one. A load of rare photos etc. I swear to god, you have never got that much quality for so little money. Some bands may have included a few more intros and made full albums of each of those CDs. And put 'em out for more than the double price. And yet, they'd be worth it.

The material I have heard sounds really promising, the track "Lost in Space sounds quite different from anything else you've ever done. Are you feeling that you have to set off to new horizons sometimes? Even the picture on the cover artwork shows a new Tobias Sammet, some people seem to have been afraid you're getting too far away from what you're known for.

Then, what am I known for? I hope for good songs. As soon as we took those pictures, I knew some people would complain about the make up. It's the continuity in the Avantasia history. On the first single 7 years ago they put so much make up on my face, when I looked down afterwards half of my face fell on my feet. I looked like a fucking drag queen, haha. I know, some people always complain. That's okay, I am a Rock'n'Roller. I don't wanna be remembered for having been the one on one ever hated. It belongs to the conceptual character I portray. As for the song, "Lost in Space" is a softer mid tempo song, but sometimes you have to set off to new horizons to keep it exciting. It's a cool mid tempo anthem. Yes, it's probably the softest song that we've done for the album, but I couldn't take the fastest one to be the single, the record company would have killed me. Well, the Japanese would have loved me. In fact, it was Eric and Sascha who convinced me to pick "Lost in Space" and shoot the video for that one. It's a beautiful track, very emotional and it has turned out exactly as it was supposed to. It sums up the melancholic feelings of the main character in the Scarecrow saga perfectly. But we've got enough heavy material on there too.

So there is going to be a video?

Yes, we've shot one on the moon, just Sascha, Eric and me. Cool video, although the song actually doesn't talk about space in a science fiction way. I talk about just feeling out of place. I know exactly what I am talking about, I have felt out of place half of my life.

Finally, how would you describe the music on "Lost in Space 1 and 2" and on "The Scarecrow"?

Wow, all I can say is that we've had a press listening session of rough mixes, and they all say that this one is even better than part 1 and 2. Or as one guy has put it: "a walking orgasm". I guess that pretty much describes it. I gave my very best, an honest pomp album from my heart, not living up to the industry, not following any trend and not any Metal cliché, I didn't care about expectations. I just felt my duty to be an honest-to-god artist. It's a Metal album, but you'll hear so much more on the album, it's a bombastic, mystic and heartfelt soundtrack to my life. I am sure I have done the right thing once again! You will hear the depth in every single note; and feel the magic in between every single note.

"We have produced so much exclusive material for these two epics that we just needed the time. Except from the title track they contain completely different material, classy material, no bonus shit! In addition we decided to put some different video footage on each CD as well. We really had to postpone the release to warrant the Avantasia-quality. But it will be worth the wait: This is the resurrection a project like "Avantasia" deserves. Fans will get two major releases, each for the price of a single. Many thanks to my record company that supported the idea. I know it may be insane businesswise, but the fans will reward it."

The full story album "The Scarecrow" will be released at end of January next year via Nuclear Blast Records.

RUDOLF SCHENKER & ALICE COOPER ON TOBIAS' NEW ALBUM

We have just got the official information that Scorpions-guitarist Rudolf Schenker and US-legend Alice Cooper will appear as guest musicians on Tobias' forthcoming Avantasia-project.

Tobias: "I am really proud and grateful to have Rudolf and Alice as guests on the album. I am glad Rudolf finally managed to do it as the Scorpions have been so busy promoting their new album "Humanity hour1" which I think is their best since 1987. We had to re-schedule the session once and finally we worked things out catching up backstage in Slovakia during a Scorpions/ Edguy show. And what can I say about Alice Cooper? He is a unique American legend! Everybody knows him and all I can say is: I ain't worthy, I ain't worthy! The role he's sung suits him perfectly! Both Rudolf and Alice - did great performances and I am truely blessed to have won them as special guests for my album!" Also starring on Avantasia so far: Sascha Paeth, Henjo Richter, Eric Singer, Miro, Michael Kiske, Jorn Lande, Bob Catley, Amanda Somerville & Tobias himself of course...

MICHAEL KISKE ON AVANTASIA

Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween) is in the studio right now to sing his parts for Tobias' forthcoming Avantasia album. Tobias says: "I love Michael's voice, he is the singer that made me want to become a singer myself twenty years ago. I am happy and proud that he is part of Avantasia again."

::June 2nd 2007::
EDGUY ON TOUR WITH AEROSMITH!

Edguy have just been confirmed as special guest for the Aersomith-Show at the Kölnarena as well. So Edguy will be special guest of Aerosmith for their whole tour of Germany:

June 10 - Hessentag-Arena, Butzbach (Note: Early show! Doors open 5:00 PM)
June 12 - DM-Arena, Karlsruhe
June 14 - Olympiahalle, Munich
June 28 - Kölnarena, Cologne

Furthermore Edguy will play at Artmedia-Stadium in Bratislava, Slovakia as special guest of the Scorpions on June 16th. Edguy will also headline the German Bang-Your-Head-Festival on June 23rd and Benatska Noc Festival near Prague (Czech Republic) on July 27th. Check the tour section for all forthcoming Edguy shows.

::May 6th 2007::
TOBIAS LIVE ON GERMAN "RADIO HR3"!

On May 16th from 22:00 - 23:00 o'clock Tobias and his Edguy partner-in-crime Jens Ludwig will be special guests of the show Hard 'n Heavy on Germany's major radio station "Radio HR3".

"We are honored to have been invited by Christoph Habusta to join the 30th anniversary of his show "Hard 'n Heavy", Christoph has always supported the band and we are happy to show up on the show. I am sure we're gonna crack some real bad jokes, play some of our favourite CDs and just have a great time. Furthermore we're gonna bring our recorders (the instruments!!!) that we'll play for the first time that night - live on the air! You should not miss that show, it may be the last chance to hear us on radio, haha!!!"


::May 4th 2007::
JORN LANDE ON TOBI'S NEW AVANTASIA ALBUM!

Tobias has just finished some recording session with his buddy Jorn Lande (ex-Masterplan) for his new conceptual Avantasia-album "The Scarecrow". The album is scheduled for late summer. An interview of Tobias' can be found here. Keep checking this website for news!


TOBIAS' BAND EDGUY SPECIAL GUEST OF THE SCORPIONS!

Check www.edguy.net to see what's up in the camp of Tobi's main band!


::April 15th 2007::
BOB CATLEY OF MAGNUM ON AVANTASIA!

Tobias has just returned from a trip to England where he did vocal sessions with Bob Catley, lead vocalist of British Epic Rock legend "Magnum", for the upcoming "Avantasia - The Scarecrow" release. Bob Catley had been guest starring on "Avantasia - The Metal Opera pt 2" in 2002 as well.

"Bob is one of the nicest people I've ever met. He's a great singer and true friend. Magnum have always been an incredible influence for me. Magnum producer Mark Stuart tracked and recorded the session at Madhat-Studio in Wolverhampton where the new Magnum Album "Princess Alice And The!Broken Arrow" had been recorded as well.


::March 24th 2007::
NEW AVANTASIA ALBUM "THE SCARECROW"!

As previously reported Tobias is working on a new album of his Rock-operatic AVANTASIA project. The album will have the title "The Scarecrow".

"I am right now in the studio doing some vocal sessions. In about two weeks I am going to fly to England to work with a friend of mine on some vocals. Fans and record companies who are interested always ask me for the names of my guest musicians. I want you all to know that I am blessed to work with the best musicians, but I don't believe in making names more important than the music itself. I am working with some childhood heroes of mine and most important, with great personalities, true friends, and the greatest musicians you can think of. Producer Sascha and I just checked some new recordings and I have the feeling, that this is the strongest stuff we have ever worked on. It's hard to describe the material in a few words, it sounds very powerful, bombastic, very organic and alive. People who loved especially Avantasia part I will love this one, although this time there is a lot more variation in style on there as well.

Of course it's a Metal album, but we even didn't stop at including some Celtic world music elements. But all that matters to me is that the music has to touch the soul and I swear to god: This material goes straight to your soul, because that's where it comes from. Sounds cheesy, but it's true. I am giving you my everything with this record and you will hear that in late summer! - All the best, Tobi"

To see some pictures from the recording sessions, check the photo section.

::March 16th 2007::
TOBIAS WITH EDGUY LIVE IN NORTH AMERICA!

Edguy have just confirmed a tour of USA & Canada. In Europe Edguy will headline this year's Bang Your Head festival in Balingen (Germany) on June 23rd. They will also appear at the Hellfest (France) on June 24th. For the latest info check www.edguy.net and to order tickets follow the below links:


Sep 11, 2007 USA - Hartford, Connecticut - Webster Theatre
Sep 12, 2007 USA - W. Springfield, Virgina - Jaxx
Sep 14, 2007 USA - Bedford, New Hampshire - Mark's Place
Sep 15, 2007 USA - Poughkeepsie, New York - Chance Theatre
Sep 16, 2007 USA - New York, New York - B.B. Kings
Sep 18, 2007 CANADA - Montreal, Quebec - Medley
Sep 19, 2007 CANADA - Quebec City, Quebec - Imperial de Quebec
Sep 20, 2007 CANADA - Toronto, Ontario - The Opera House
Sep 21, 2007 USA - Cleveland, Ohio - Peabody's Down Under
Sep 23, 2007 USA - Mokena, Illinois - The Pearl Room
Sep 24, 2007 USA - St. Paul, Minnesota - Station 4
Sep 27, 2007 USA - Seattle, Washington - Studio Seven
Sep 28, 2007 USA - Portland, Oregon - Roseland Grill
Sep 29, 2007 USA - San Francisco, California - Slim's
Sep 30, 2007 USA - Anaheim, California - House Of Blues
Oct 02, 2007 USA - Hollywood, California - House Of Blues
Oct 03, 2007 MEXICO - Mexicali - The Metro
Oct 04, 2007 USA - Tempe, Arizona - The Clubhouse
Oct 06, 2007 USA - Denver, Colorado - Bluebird Theatre
Oct 08, 2007 USA - Detroit, Michigan - I-Rock


::March 9th 2007::
AVANTASIA NEWS!

As previously reported Edguy singer Tobias Sammet is working on a new Avantasia album right now. The album is being produced by Sascha Paeth, who is also playing the rhythm guitars. The drums have been played by Kiss-drummer Eric Singer and the bass is being played by Tobias himself.

Tobias: "I can't tell you how happy I am to be able to do this. There is so much creativity in the studio and the material sounds so great. There is so much variety, we got fast songs, mid tempo songs, a few ballads. There are modern elements, epic elements, classic elements. There's no limits in our creativity and I feel blessed that I am allowed to work with the most talented sidekicks I could ever dream of."

The new Avantasia album will be a concept album featuring different singers singing different characters in a story. But the concept itself won't be a sequel of the first two Avantasia albums. Stay tuned for more information.


::January 4th 2007::
ERIC SINGER DRUMMER OF AVANTASIA!

As previously reported Tobias is working on another Avantasia album. KISS' drummer Eric Singer is the drummer of Avantasia this time.

"We've recorded the drums in Hamburg at Vox-Klangstudio, where we recorded the drums of Edguy's Hellfire Club too. Great room, great equipment! Eric is a killer drummer and a cool guy to work with. It is really exciting to hear his interpretation of European style Metal. It definitely adds something fresh and unique to the sound, mainly because he's got a different approach to that kind of music. And although he doesn't do it with Alice Cooper, Kiss and SpongeBob Squarepants' solo band: There IS fast doublebass shit on Avantasia, and Eric did a great job!!! You'll hear it, it's fantastic. Go visit his website www.eric-singer.com and leave him a nice message! Anyway, listening to the material so far I can really say that even though the new Avantasia will be a different conceptual story, the ambition remains the same: To create something epic and big! Or how Eric put it, Let's make some kewl music! No doubt, the spirit of Avantasia is there - in every note. Happy new year everybody and let's have a great and peaceful 2007. - Tobias"