January 18, 2010

THE “MOUNTAIN KING“ ON AVANTASIA

We can now reveal another secret regarding the forthcoming Avantasia epics “The Wicked Symphony” and “Angel Of Babylon”, out on April, 3rd 2010. He used to be the mastermind of legendary US-Epic-Metal veterans Savatage, and he is also the brains behind the highly successful ‘Trans-Siberian Orchestra’. To his fans he is the “Mountain king”: Mr. Jon Oliva.

Tobias comments: “Jon will appear on a theatrical song called “Death Is Just A Feeling”. We just had a press listening last weekend in Mousse T’s prestigious Peppermint-Park studios in Hannover where we had recorded the duet with Klaus Meine a few months ago for example. Many of the numerous journalists that had come from all over Europe said that they have the feeling this is going to be the most epic and simply the best Avantasia-stuff with the widest variety so far, yet every song fits perfectly to the enchanting conceptual character. I am proud, I knew we were gonna do something momentous, but it feels great that it’s been confirmed once more. Jon’s song stood out as it is like a little movie itself, very eerie, and it could be a perfect chapter in a horror-musical.”

Besides Jon Oliva the new Avantasia epics will have the longest list of musicians in the history of the project, there will be Klaus Meine(Scorpions), Ripper Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Bob Catley (Magnum), Eric Singer (KISS), Bruce Kulick (ex-KISS, ex-Meat Loaf), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Andre Matos (ex-Angra), Ralf Zdiarstek (Amitav), Oliver Hartmann, Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody), Felix Bohnke (Edguy), Sascha Paeth (ex-Heavens Gate), Cloudy Yang, Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, ex-DIO, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) and Miro Rodenberg.