11/13/2009 22:52

Avantasia

Avantsia: New album will be a double one

Tobias Sammet has just decided that there is too much material to put it all on one album. So the next chapter of Avantasia will be spread over two albums.

"I have always given my very best, but this new chapter in Avantasia's history is too much and too ambitious to be just a regular album. I have worked on it for years now, and it has become even more than two albums! I don't know if I will release one first, or both simultaneously, or maybe even both in one special package. The production is so massive and I have so many guests this time. It's the continuation of the "Scarecrow" story. I knew that story would be spread out over two albums back then when we started working on it in 2006, cause we had writtem a real Rock Opera of over 20 songs even back then. But since then we kept composing, and out came even bigger and better material. Sometimes you don't have a single good idea for months, whereas at another point it just keeps flowing."

So far Mr. Sammet has confirmed the following musicians to be part of the forthcoming Avantasia opus: Klaus Meine (Scorpions), Ripper Owens (ex-Judas Priest, Yngwie Malmsteen), Eric Singer (KISS), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Bob Catley (Magnum), Sascha Paeth, Felix Bohnke (Edguy) and Alex Holzwart (Rhapsody, Sieges Even). The last guest star was confirmed with Russell Allen, exceptional star vocalist of US progressive metal heroes Symphony X, who will be part of the new Avantasia chapters. More details about his contribution soon- also check out www.tobiassammet.com.

(source: Nuclear Blast)

(older news about the topic:)

Tobias Sammet announces plenty of guests for the next Avantasia album - out in spring 2010.

Recently Scorpions vocalist Klaus Meine was in the studio to record a duet with Tobias. The recording session took place at "Peppermint Park" studio in Hannover. About the collaboration Tobias says the following: "We played a couple of shows with the Scorpions here and there and they are not only the biggest and greatest rock band ever to emerge from Germany, they are also cool Rock'n'Roll people who are aware of what's going on in the world of heavy guitars. Lately we played Bulgaria together, Edguy and the Scorpions, and I watched their full show from onstage. They kicked serious ass! Rudolf (Schenker, Scorpions) did some cool guitar work on the previous record, and now Klaus is on the forthcoming one. He has done a superb job, he opens his mouth and you immediately hear it's that cutting voice that has sung 'Rock You Like a Hurricane' and 'Blackout'! The track we did together is an anthemic mid-tempo tune, big choir chorus. And I am still speechless thinking of Klaus' performance. He is a real pro and he would still blow away 99% of all us Rock singers with a quarter of his left lung. People, get ready for a monster song!"

After Bob Catley (Magnum), Eric Singer (Kiss), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody Of Fire), Klaus Meine (Scorpions), Jorn Lande (Masterplan) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (ex-Judas Priest) another voice can be announced for the next Avantasia album: Ex-Helloween voice Michael Kiske who has appeared on every Avantasia album so far, even already on the two early classics 'The Metal Opera' has been back in the studio to sing his parts for the next journey to Avantasia.
Tobias: "Michael's voice and singing have had a huge influence on me when I was young. Helloween's 'Eagle Fly Free' lit the spark for me back then, it made me want to become a singer at age 12. Michael appears on several songs, two are fast and anthemic tunes, my personal "Eagle-Fly-Frees" if you want. Crystal clear and high singing. If up-tempo music sounds like that, I don't get tired of it. And still it is not a copy of early Helloween or early Avantasia. It's great to have Michael sing those kinds of tunes. He's a good guy! Great job, great voice!"

Tim "Ripper" Owens, ex-Judas Priest vocalist has commented on his collaboration with Tobias for the forthcoming Avantasia epic: "I gotta say, this tune is cool, I'm just glad I came in and saved it! I mean Tobias is ok, but the song needed help, hahaha! I AM KIDDING, man! He sent me the song with him singing and I said: "Holy crap, this is great... What the hell am I gonna do?!" So I just sang like the devil! Thanks buddy, your tune rocks!"

About the release date Tobias says: "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, haha."

(source: Nuclear Blast)