Solo project from Edguy-singer, Tobias Sammet. Their style is not far from Tobias main band, and it's great melodic German metal, with influences from Helloween, Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray and others. This is one of this millenniums best newcomers.

AVANTASIA (2001) AFM (Single)

I bought this CD-single way after I bought the full album. The reason is of course track 3, which doesn't appear on the full-length CD. And what a track it is. David DeFeis of Virgin Steele guests, and then you know what it sounds like. Fast and epic. It's unbelievable that it didn't appear on the CD. (They had to make sure people bought the single as well I guess!)

THE METAL OPERA (2001) AFM

Not since 'The Keeper of the Seven Keys'-albums has something this great been released from Germany. 'The Metal Opera' is 2001's best release by far. It just took me by surprise, even though I had great expectations. I love Tobias' main band, Edguy, so I knew that this was gonna be good. Guest performances by Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween) (as Ernie), David DeFeis (Virgin Steele), André Matos (ex-Angra/Virgo) and others make it essential in any metal-collection. 'The Metal Opera' is, as the title indicates, a concept album. The story is intriguing, but I'm not going to try and explain it here. Music wise, Avantasia places its roots in the German melodic power/speed metal. But all the different singers and musicians lift the whole project into new directions, as the story unfolds. Just buy this album if you don't have it. This is meant to be part one, I can't wait until the next chapter. A MUST!!!!

Killer tracks: All of them, it wouldn't be fare to pick!!

THE METAL OPERA PT. II (2002) AFM

And finally the second part is released. And it is again a stunning piece of German metal, with almost the same team of familiar faces. Tobias has also picked up a couple of new helpers, including Eric Singer (Badlands, ESP, Kiss etc.) and Bob Catley (Magnum). The first track is a 14 minute plus epic track, that is right up there with the old Helloween classics from the Keeper albums! But from there this album doesn't uphold quite the same quality. To say that it isn't any good would be very wrong. So maybe we are spoiled with good music, because these tracks just don't sit as good as the ones on pt. I. (I have the same problem with Edguy's 'Mandrake'-album). I love the parts were David DeFeis (Virgin Steele) and Rob Rock (Joshua, Warrior etc.) sings, and the variety of characters is very cool to hear. I recommend this album, and I'm sure it's gonna be on my top10 list of 2002's releases, but now I prefer part I.

Killer tracks: The Seven Angels, No Return, Neverland

LOST IN SPACE PART 1 & 2 (2007) NUCLEAR BLAST (EP's)

These 2 EP's are the first manifestations of how Tobias Sammet learned that you should never say never! Because that is what he claimed to be the fate for his Avantasia "project", after the second chapter of his 'Metal Opera' was released. But here we are, 5 years later, and a new chapter in this saga is written. Although we are not getting a new 'Metal Opera' chapter. The new album, due out in January 2008, will be called 'The Scarecrow', and seemingly have nothing at all to do with the previous two effort, save for the fact that it is yet another all-star cast, that is. 'Lost In Space' is the first EP, and it comes in 2 parts. Both EP's claim to deliver 5 non-album tracks. But as far as I can tell, that is only partially true. The first EP contains an ABBA cover, an obscure cover in the Lucifer's Friend tune, a very short instrumental part, as well as 2 songs from the upcoming album. Disc 2 gives us an Ultravox cover, an even more obscure cover from Dave Clark's 'Time' musical (the tune, "In My Defense", might be mostly famous as a song Freddie Mercury also covered as a solo artist), and an alternative version of the title track. But my main interest in these EP's is of course the sound on the new Avantasia material. And for those awaiting another modern power metal classic, you can start looking elsewhere right now. Tobias has grown so much, both as a person, and as a songwriter. He has tons of new influences, and this is showing already on the few tracks presented here. I get vibes from anything from Queen to MeatLoaf, Bon Jovi to David Bowie, and even a hint of the Euro-techno Tobias also have dabbled with from time to time. Everything is of curse wrapped up in a metal production. I must confess though, the best tracks here are the 2 songs that Jørn Lande appears on. Both "Another Angel Down" and "Promised Land" are more reminiscent of the older Avantasia. And with Jørn's God-given voice, they sound awesome! And of course it never hurts to hear Michael Kiske in great form either. Tobias himself is maybe the vocalist that impresses me the least here. All in all I'm not sure what to expect from the upcoming full-length album. But I do think we'll be treated to something great, albeit different than what we might have hoped for.

THE SCARECROW (2008) NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited Edition) (CD/DVD)

'The Scarecrow' might as well be one of the most anticipated releases for me in many years. Oh, how I loved the first two chapters in the Avantasia story! So when it was clear that Tobias was saddling up once again, to create a new chapter, albeit with a completely new story, I was more then psyched. However, it was clear pretty early on that this new endeavor was going to be quite different from the typical Euro-metal of the first efforts. And the 'Lost In Space' EP's brought signs of a completely new sound from Tobias' love-child. 'The Scarecrow' first and foremost sees a man that have created music that he himself truly loves. He has freed himself from barriers and musical bonds attached to him by others. This is a heartfelt album, and any fan of this German genius should not be surprised by anything present on this CD. Yes, this album contains nods to everyone from Bon Jovi to Queen, and there are not many numbers of pure European power metal. Tobias' choice of drummer should tell you that this will be a departure from the creators main roots. I guess you could call it growing up, or getting more mature. I know this will put many a fan down, and alienate a whole heap of them. But if you claim to love music, as much as Tobias does himself, this should not scare you at all. So what can be found on this album then? Well, this is 11 tracks spanning over a musical variety unlike most of Avantasia's contemporaries. The use of proficient guest musicians is still intact, and I must admit that for me these characters more than steal this show. You are kind of asking for it when you include the best voice in metal, Jørn Lande, and living rock legend, Alice Cooper, on your album. The latter appears in a typical 80's shock rock number, "The Toy Master", a song clearly written with the master himself in mind as the lead character. This was of course made possible when you have Eric Singer as your drummer. But lets not forget such names as Roy Kahn (Kamelot, Conception), Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray, ex-Helloween), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween) and Rudolf Schenker (Scorpions) to name a few. The title track here is worth the cost of the album. This epic song takes you on a musical journey, incorporating everything that figures elsewhere on the album. It sums up the whole idea behind Avantasia. Other choice cuts include "Another Angel Down" (where Jørn is stealing the thunder) and the already mentioned "The Toy Master". As a whole I find the album to be a little lacking. It's strength (the variety) is also it's Achilles' heel. Some of the numbers just don't cut it. And 'The Scarecrow' is definitely not as strong as any of the 'Metal Opera' albums. Still there is plenty here to rejoice over. You just have to listen with your ears, and mind, opened! The special edition comes with a bonus DVD. It contains interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, video clips, and most notable, 2 demo versions of songs where Tobias is doin' all the vocals.

Killer tracks: The Scarecrow, Shelter From The Rain, What Kind Of Love, Another Angel Down, The Toy Master

THE WICKED SYMPHONY (2010) NUCLEAR BLAST (Box set) ANGEL OF BABYLON (2010) NUCLEAR BLAST (Double Album Deluxe Edition)

For a project that was said to have been laid to rest, Avantasia sure got active enough again! :D Yeas, Tobias Sammet has gathered the troops to finish 'The Wicked Trilogy' that started with 'The Scarecrow'. And like the true workaholic he is, this time he delivers part 2 and 3 in one go. So that's 22 new songs for us devotees to enjoy!

'The Wicked Symphony' and 'Angel Of Babylon' are the  names of the second and third  installments of the trilogy. They are definitely more "back to the roots" then I expected. This time Tobias has kept it less experimental ten 'The Scarecrow', and both albums feel more like natural follow ups to the two 'Metal Opera' albums. He has also given more room to guest musicians and vocalists than on any previous Avantasia album. And that is saying a lot! Jørn Lande is used on so many tracks, he is almost heard more then Tobias himself! A few new "faces" are also showing up. Klaus Meine (Scorpions) is doin' a great job in the up-tempo rocker, "Dying For An Angel" (also the first single), Eric Singer's good friend, Bruce Kulick (ex-Kiss), is doin' some guitar work her and there, and my absolute favorite is Jon Oliva (Savatage, Jon Oliva's Pain) taking over the role Alice Cooper did on 'The Scarecrow', in the song "Death Is Just A Feeling". Tim "Ripper" Owens (ex-Judas Priest, ex-Iced Earth, Beyond Fear) is also delivering the goods (pun intended), as always.

'The Wicked Symphony' is the most "Euro-metal-ish" of the 2, all the while 'Angel Of Babylon' delivers more straight forward melodic metal. Both albums are very well written, and once again Tobias is showing himself to be the genius we always knew he is. To be able to deliver such strong songs, glue it all together both musically and lyrically, and make the songs fit to each guest, is all just stunning. I can't say that I personally care much for the concept, but the music more than appeals to me. Not many albums grab me at first listen these days, but not only did these CD's grab me, they kept returning to my CD-player time and time gain. I just hope people can start looking back the unfortunate tag Avantasia get since they hail out of Germany and are playing powerful metal. Tobias songwriting is just so diverse, it should appeal to a much larger fan base then just those of us that knows him from Edguy. Intelligent is the word  would use describing the music , whether we're talking about the ultra catchy, melodic metal tunes, the faster Euro-metal tinged number, or the epic-length songs that ends each CD. I think 'The Wicked Symphony' and 'Angel Of Babylon' will go down in history as bona fide metal classics!

I bought the Limited Double Album Deluxe Edition box set of these CD's. It features both digi-pak editions of the CD's, exclusive download content and a digibook documenting 'The Wicked Trilogy' in text and photos. Here you can learn about the full concept story.

Killer tracks: The Wicked Symphony, Wastelands, Scales Of Justice, Dying for An Angel, Runaway Train, Stargazers, Angel Of Babylon, Death Is Just A Feeling, Alone I Remember, Journey to Acacia

Tobias Sammet guest appearances:

Rhapsody - 'Rain Of A Thousand Flames'

Freedom Call - 'Eternity'

Rob Rock - 'Holy Hell'

Eric Singer guest appearances:

Avantasia - 'The Metal Opera Pt. II'

Related artists:

Edguy, Gamma Ray, Angra, Helloween, Rhapsody, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Paradox, Virgo, Luca Turilli, Blind Guardian, Kamelot