It all started in Fulda (Hessen, Germany) in the year 1992, when four fourteen year old school friends decided to form a traditional metal band, at a time when grunge music was at its peak. First they covered songs from their favorite bands, such as Deep Purple, KISS, AC/DC and Iron Maiden. Soon they got bored by playing other people's songs, so they decided to write and record their own songs, and try to get a record deal someday. Today they are one of the biggest melodic power metal bands in the world! Vocalist Tobias Sammet has also released solo efforts under the name Avantasia. Tobias Exxel can also be found in Taraxacum.
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Line-up: Tobias Sammet - Vocals, Bass, Piano, Keyboards Jens Ludwig - Guitar Dirk Sauer - Guitar Dominik Storch - Drums |
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This is Edguy's second album, and it's pretty good. I had heard a couple of songs live, before I bought the album, so I knew that those were awesome. The only problem is the poor production. I hope they do the same thing with this one that they did with their first album (read about 'The Savage Poetry'). At least this CD shows promise of better things to follow. Chris Boltendahl from Grave Digger guests on "The Kingdom".
Killer tracks: Deadmaker, Wings Of A Dream
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Line-up: Tobias Sammet - Vocals, Bass, Keyboards Jens Ludwig - Guitars Dirk Sauer - Guitars Felix Bohnke - Drums |
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'Vain Glory Opera' was the first Edguy album I heard. And what a great album it is. From first note to the last, Edguy continue to carry on the Helloween legacy. Listen to "Until We Rise Again" and "Vain Glory Opera" and be amazed. Even my girlfriend likes "Scarlet Rose". These young Germans became huge favorites of mine, when I got this album. "Hymn" is a cover of an Ultravox tune!?! Hansi Kursch from Blind Guardian and Timo Tolkki from Stratovarius are guest artists on this album.
Killer tracks: Vain Glory Opera, Until We Rise Again, Out Of Control, Fairytale
THEATER OF SALVATION (1999) AFM (Digi-pack)
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Line-up: Tobias Sammet - Vocals, Keyboards Tobias Exxel - Bass Jens Ludwig - Guitar Dirk Sauer - Guitar Felix Bohnke - Drums
* = bonus tracks |
Another masterpiece from these German youngsters. (In fact, none of them were over the age of 25 yet, and this is their 4th album!!) This one is even better than the last one. All the songs are excellent. I'm so amazed over this bands ability to write strong, catchy and melodic power metal tunes. "Babylon", "The Land Of The Miracle" and "Holy Shadows" should be obligatory in any headbangers hall of fame. Can they top this one? A MUST!!
I finally picked up the Special digi-pack Edition, which contains 2 bonus tracks.
Killer tracks: Babylon, The Headless Game, The Land Of The Miracle, Wake Up The King, Holy Shadows
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CD1: 2000 version
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Line-up: Tobias Sammet - Vocals, Keyboards Tobias Exxel - Bass Jens Ludwig - Guitar Dirk Sauer - Guitar Felix Bohnke - Drums |
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CD2: 1995 version
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Line-up: Tobias Sammet - Vocals, Bass Jens Ludwig - Guitar Dirk Sauer - Guitar Dominik Storch - Drums |
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This is Edguy's 5th and 1st offering in one double album. They re-recorded their first album, instead of just re-mastering it. They were so young when they first recorded 'Savage Poetry' back in '95, they felt they could do a much better job on it today. And I truly agree with them. Listening to the 1995 version (which is included as a bonus disc on the first print of this CD) it's not hard to see why. The 2000 version contains Edguy classics as "Key To My Fate", "Sands Of Time" and "Power And Majesty". Another killer album!
Killer tracks: Hallowed, Key To My Fate, Sands Of Time, Power And Majesty
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Line-up: Tobias Sammet - Vocals, Keyboards Tobias Exxel - Bass Jens Ludwig - Guitar Dirk Sauer - Guitar Felix Bohnke - Drums |
Edguy slows it down a pace for this their fifth (or sixth depending on how you count) album. And I must say it's not the album I was expecting from these German favorites. It's of course not a bad album, it still blows away 90% of all other bands in this genre. It's just that Edguy has set a standard they just don't live up to on this one. Guess they felt they had to put it out as soon as possible, between Tobias' Avantasia albums. The epic "Pharaoh" is a masterpiece though. Be sure to check it out if you like German melodic speed metal, and as a Edguy fan you are sure to like it, but to really fall in love with this band, try 'Theater Of Salvation' first!
Killer tracks: Tears Of The Mandrake, Jerusalem, Pharaoh, The Devil And The Savant
PAINTING
ON THE WALL (2001) AFM (CDS)
Bought this single because I had read that it contained a non-album track. The track is "Wings Of A Dream 2001", and it's a rerecorded version of a song from the 'Kingdom Of Madness' album. And it is certainly not worth the $7 I gave for it!
BURNING
DOWN THE OPERA - LIVE (2003) AFM (Limited Edition Digibook 2CD)
CD1:
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Line-up: Tobias Sammet - Vocals, Keyboards Tobias Exxel - Bass Jens Ludwig - Guitar Dirk Sauer - Guitar Felix Bohnke - Drums
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CD2:
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Edguy is a great band to experience in a live setting. I've personally seen them 3 times so far. So I was hoping that this double live-album would catch the energy of an Edguy concert. Unfortunately it doesn't. And the ones to blame are the band themselves. The biggest problem I have with it is the set list. There are so many of my favorites missing, and instead we get a bunch of the bands less good songs. I mean; "Inside", "Painting On The Wall" and "Fallen Angels" aren't exactly what I'd expected. Where is "Key To My Fate" or "Holy Shadows"? And the talking in between songs are really dumb too. Tobias is such a great stage persona, but to listen to him, without seeing him, only makes him sound a bit childish. But on the positive side of it, they do a decent version of "Avantasia", the title track Tobias solo-project. I also love "Land Of The Miracle" and "Out Of Control". On those tracks I catch myself singing along, and banging my head. Let's hope for a better live album in the future.
KING
OF FOOLS (2004) NUCLEAR BLAST (EP)
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I can't believe it's been 3 years since we last heard from Edguy. But finally it's time for a new dose of pure German metal. Or melodic power/speed metal, if you will. The band have changed labels since last time. So now they are signed to Nuclear Blast. And what is more natural for the worlds biggest metal company, then to milk the metal fans for some extra money. The easy way is to release EP's with non-album tracks. The last time Edguy did this, I really felt ripped off. But I'm glad to say that this is not the case with 'King Of Fools'. Here you get 5 tracks, and 4 of them are exclusive to this release. All of the songs are great, and show what we have in store when the new album is out. I'll go more into detail on the music when I get "Hellfire Cub". But I will say that no Edguy fan will be disappointed. The lyrics are a bit stupid here and there though. I would have thought that Mr. Sammet would have learned a bit more English by now, so he wouldn't have had to use the f-words so much. The last track takes a humorous view on the "Life and Times of a Bonus Track". That song alone is worth the price for this EP.
HELLFIRE
CLUB (2004) NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited Edition)
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Line-up: Tobias Sammet - Vocals, Keyboards Tobias "Eggi" Exxel - Bass Jens Ludwig - Guitar Dirk Sauer - Guitar Felix Bohnke - Drums
* = bonus tracks |
I've actually owned this album since February, but since I only had a promo version, with Tobias speaking over parts of every song, I held off reviewing it until I bought the real CD release instead. Now I've obtained it, and I'm still loving it! It is no secret that Edguy have grown to become one of my all time favorite bands. But still they managed to disappoint me a tad with the 'Mandrake' and the live effort. Therefore it feels extra good to report that they are 110 % back with 'Hellfire Club'. This is simply the finest metal platter that have entered my stereo so far this year, and I doubt that any other contesters will dethrone it before we enter 2005. This is melodic power/speed metal heavily influenced by old Helloween, but done way better than Helloween have managed since Kiske left. We should actually start to measure the pumpkins against these youngsters, rather then the other way around from now on! Every track on this album are top notch. I simply find next to nothing wrong with it. But I do have one minor complain, and that is that I could have done without lyrics and titles such as "Down To The Devil" and "Lucifer In Love". But knowing Edguy, you can expect that even those are written with a tongue-in-cheek/humor point of view. And speaking of humor, check out what Tobias is dreaming about doin' if he ever finds himself trapped in a crashing airplane in the aptly entitled "Lavatory Love Machine". 'Hellfire Club' might also be the most diverse Edguy album to date, giving us everything from the excellent power metal opener "Mysteria" (the song of the year, as far as I'm concerned), to the vocals and orchestra rendition of "The Spirit Will Remain", and the 70's inspired "The Piper Never Dies". Also, my limited edition of this CD comes with 2 bonus tracks, both of which are also great. Especially the alternative version of "Mysteria" that features Mille Petrozza of Kreator on guest vocals!
Killer tracks: All of them!
LAVATORY LOVE MACHINE (2004) NUCLEAR BLAST
(EP)
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Edguy are now such a popular band that they can easily aim for the CD-single market too. Climbing the singles charts sells even more albums, I guess. But the whole idea of releasing 1 song, and then putting on 11 version of the same song, just to get the devoted fans to also cash out for the single, have always been repulsive to me. Still, I buy along with the rest of the fans, searching for that 1 exclusive cover-songs, or acoustic version or whatever. Here you get a decent cover version of Europe's "I'll Cry For You", as well as the non-album track called "Reach Out". Add to that an acoustic version, and the video-clip, to the title-track, and you've got another dust-collector in your collection.
HALL OF FLAMES (2004)
AFM (2CD)
CD 1:
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CD 2: bonus songs,
unreleased material, specials, video-clips & wallpapers
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'Hall Of Flames' was Edguy's first (and so far, only) compilation album. It was also a "good-bye present" for AFM, as the band left for Nuclear Blast. Making it a double disc serves the fans well, as the second disc is filled with non-album goodies. Sure, if you buy all the singles, EP's and special editions you already have all the tracks. But if you, like me, aren't that big on singles, then this is a good addition to the collection. If not for nothing else, this album shows what a great band Edguy really is!
SUPERHEROES (2005) NUCLEAR BLAST (EP)
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* features Michael Kiske on guest vocals |
I like EP's that gives the fans something more then just an edited version of a single, or some live tracks. Just like 'King Of Fools', 'Superheroes' delivers plenty of material exclusive to this release, awaiting the new full-length album from Edguy. The first thing that hits me is that Edguy doesn't seem to back off one bit. Instead they continue to record great albums with excellent songs. There aren't many bands around that have nothing but good albums in their back catalogue, and yet have been around for more then 10 years. But super-songwriter, singer and front man extraordinaire Tobias Sammet at the helm, nothing seems impossible. Heck, he even got Michael Kiske back from his supposedly hatred towards metal, and got him to record some spine chilling vocals for "Judas At The Opera". Edguy are the new Helloween, as far as I'm concerned. They have flawlessly continued in this style, and are now the top band in this genre. The songs present on this EP is also both the most accessible, and at the same time the most diverse that these Germans have ever come up with. Has Tobias techno-project rubbed off a bit too much? Oh well, as long as they still deliver the goods in a metal fashion, I don't care. I can't wait for a new album!
ROCKET RIDE (2006)
NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited Edition Digibook)
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Line-up: Tobias Sammet - Vocals, Keyboards Tobias "Eggi" Exxel - Bass Jens Ludwig - Guitar Dirk Sauer - Guitar Felix Bohnke - Drums Guests: Michael "Miro" Rodenberg - Keyboards & Orchestration Amanda Somerville, Thomas Rettke, Ralf Zdiarstek, Oliver Hartmann - Backing Vocals |
After the promising EP I had high hopes for this release. And it's no surprise that Tobi and the guys do not disappoint. It's not that 'Rocket Ride' is their best album. But it is still chock full of good melodies. Tobias keeps growing as a songwriter, and the music on this CD is the most mature material he's ever done. From the epic "Sacrifice" and "The Asylum" (my personal favorite), to the faster "Rocket Ride" and "Return To The Tribe", the heavy "Wasted Time" and the slower "Save Me", this is the most diverse Edguy album so far. Tobias even manages to put a little influence from his Euro-techno-pop music in "Matrix". And we can't forget about the calypso-infused "Trinidad". Now, there is some good-form fun for you! But unfortunately the lyrics on some of the other songs are a completely different matter. It seems that the man's humor is starting to get a bit too juvenile, and taking too much of the space in his writing. I've not thought much of it before, but the lyrics to songs like "Catch Of The Century" and "Fuck With Fire" are actually hindering me from enjoying the songs to the fullest. If I had a saying I'd probably cut away 2 or 3 songs from the final track list to get an even better final result. It's also weird how out of place the song "Superheroes" sounds here, as it was truly a fun song on the EP. Complaints aside though, Edguy are still one of the best acts in the Euro-metal genre, and one of my all time favorite bands. The limited edition digibook comes with an extensive booklet, which contains a write-up of the bands entire career, complete with some never before seen pictures, and a bonus live track.
Killer tracks: Sacrifice, Rocket Ride, Wasted Time, The Asylum, Save Me, Superheroes, Trinidad
TINNITUS SANCTUS (2008)
NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited Edition Digibook)
CD1:
'Tinnitus Sanctus'
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Line-up: Tobias Sammet - Vocals Tobias "Eggi" Exxel - Bass Jens Ludwig - Guitars Dirk Sauer - Guitars Felix Bohnke - Drums Guests: Miro Rodenberg - Keyboards Thomas Rettke, Oliver Hartmann, Claudia Boots-Zimmermann - Backing Vocals
* bonus track featuring Granato Rambocco and The Killers
'Live in Los Angeles' was recorded September 2007, in Hollywood California, USA during the Rocket Ride World Tour
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CD2: 'Live
In Los Angeles'
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Edguy have undergone a vast change sound wise during the last years. From the humble beginnings as purveyors of classic melodic power metal, to newer efforts where they have completely dropped the "power" part of the sound. 'Tinnitus Sanctus' (fantastic name, by the way) sees them venture even further away from their original sound, and I've read more than one review stating they sound like Bon Jovi now more than anything else. I am not so sure I'd go so far in my comparison, but I certainly see where such critics are coming from. Because there is little doubt that Tobias is a more mature song writer, both with his Avantasia project, and now also with Edguy. Fact is, 'Tinnitus Sanctus' doesn't sound all that different from this years Avantasia album, 'The Scarecrow'. The only thing that let's me know that this is still Edguy are the "joke" songs. Numbers like "Sex, Fire Religion", "Speedhoven" and "Aren't You A Little Pervert Too?" are typical of this bands sense of humor. It is just sad that it seems as though Tobias used the better songs for Avantasia, and that 'Tinnitus Sanctus' was stuck with the leftovers. OK, so I might me a little too negative here. But I can't help but to feel disappointed when I listen to this CD. Songs like "The Pride Of Creation" and "9-2-9" hold a high standard. But the brother part of the material here leaves me either wanting more, or in some cases even totally indifferent. And the already mention "Sex Fire Religion" must be one of the worst tunes this band has ever produced. It's the first Edguy album ever not to be featured on my top 20 release in their respectively released years. Edguy are still a force to be reckoned with though, and subsequent listening has helped the album a lot in my ears (funny as that seems to be more and more then case with me and new releases in general. Must be my age showing!).
As usual I bought the limited edition version of the album. This time it comes with a bonus live CD, recorded in Hollywood on the last tour. It's a cool way to deliver a live album to the hard core fans, without having to pay the price of a full CD. 'Live In Los Angeles' will not go down as a landmark live album, but it's still nice to have a piece of Edguy history in the collection. This band has always put on a great live show.
Killer tracks: The Pride Of Creation, Dragonfly, 9-2-9, Speedhoven
Tobias Sammet guest appearances:
Rhapsody - 'Rain Of A Thousand Flames'
Freedom Call - 'Eternity'
Rob Rock - 'Holy Hell'
Revolution Renaissance - 'New Era'
Felix Bohnke guest appearances:
Avantasia - 'The Wicked Symphony'
Avantasia - 'Angel of Babylon'
Jens Ludwig guest appearances:
Avantasia - 'Avantasia' (EP)
Avantasia - The Metal opera Pt. 1'
Avantasia - 'The Metal opera Pt. 2'
Related artists:
KINGDOM OF MADNESS (1997) AFM
VAIN
GLORY OPERA (1998) AFM
THE
SAVAGE POETRY (2000) AFM
MANDRAKE
(2001) AFM
