Bart's Blabbermouth News Thread

[slayrrr666]

Finally have something for you, man:

German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR have issued the following update on their upcoming activities:

European tour:

Ralf: "It's the same feeling and vibe this time as for all other territories. The difference is, that Europe is our home and especially this time, with the new '16.6' songs in the setlist, it will be something special. We feel so strong in the band now, that nothing can stop us!"

Mat: "I agree, it feels really good on stage and the new songs are perfect additions to our current best-of live set and our new found metal attitude. Even I miss my friend Magnus [Karlsson, PRIMAL FEAR guitarist], Alex is doing a killer job. With BRAINSTORM on the bill in Europe, we have a fantastic second band with us and we're working on another third great band to present an overall strong package for our fans. And it feels really good to have some good friends like Duce and Martin back in the team again!"

Plans for 2010:

Frank Suepfle from ITM Agency: We're already working on a second and longer run through North America and another European leg on the '16.6' tour before the festival season starts and we will play a lot of open air festivals next year!"

New PRIMAL FEAR DVD and live CD:

Mat: "We will film footage with three cameras during every part of the forthcoming tour this year. We will start in South America, the U.S., Canada, Europe and later this year in Japan. The show in Sao Paulo will be filmed by Patrick Kolb. We will shoot additional shows in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York and Montreal. Good friend Bomber and his Visions In Fear team will film two shows in Switzerland and Germany. Achim Köhler will record selected shows on pro audio material. If everything will work out cool, we plan to work on a forthcoming DVD and live CD for 2010 and if all involved people and companies will support this release for the fans."

Note, there's a lot I trimmed from this, I left the pertinent facts in this post, but if you want the full, unabridged details, it's HERE.

[slayrrr666]

Here's something else for you:

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's official web site has been updated with a brand new interview with the singer/songwriter about the forthcoming album from his AVANTASIA project. The question-and-answer session follows below.

Q: Tobias, how are things going in the studio?

Sammet: I am pretty damn busy, there's a lot of work to be done. I've been working on this forthcoming material for more than two years on and off. But the material will be worth the wait. We got quite many songs, and it ranges from epic ballads to metal opera. From pop to hard rock to folk to speed metal. My best friend, who co-wrote the story of "The Metal Opera" back then, just listened to some of the tracks and he said that it will blow people away and enchant AVANTASIA fans and it will surely piss people off.

Q: What do you mean? It will offend people?

Sammet: Well, it always does. It's a tradition for everything I've done. "The Metal Opera" did, because it wasn't fashionable; "The Scarecrow" did because it wasn't fashionable and it wasn't "The Metal Opera". And this one will do as well, 'cause it isn't fashionable, it isn't "The Metal Opera" and it isn't "The Scarecrow". It's just enchanting music. And these days honest and good music is kind of offending to some, that's pretty sick, isn't it? But as long as I get goose bumps hearing majestic music, I do not really care if I am fashionable or not.

Q: Can you reveal some names of the guests who will be included?

Sammet: Of course I could. But, at this point, I don't wanna say too much. I will keep people posted on the website, the countdown is on. We will reveal secret by secret when we feel the time is right.

Q: When can we expect the album to be due?

Sammet: I don't know exactly; there's a ton of work to be done. There'll be some extensive choir sessions to be done. It's not the kind of album you do in a couple of weeks. This whole project is probably the most ambitious I have worked on. I know, I said that about previous albums before, but that being said: You better believe it. I have worked on more than ten albums, and this time the amount and intense of the music is mind-blowing. So, back to the question: I work on it until we are happy with every single syllable and note. I feel this album is the soundtrack to a certain era of my life, so I don't wanna rush. I feel this is going to be a very important album in my career, so I'll take all the time I need.

Q: Any last words for the visitors of TobiasSammet.com?

Sammet: Thanks for your patience, people. I am really enjoying working on that album. I don't want the production to come to an end; that's why I take my time. I hope you bear with me and feel the magic once it's going to be released. I'll put a lot of it in there!

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=124707

[slayrrr666]

Some more good news for you:

German melodic metallers BRAINSTORM have set "Memorial Roots" as the title of their new album, due in October via the band's new label, AFM Records. 15 songs were recorded for the CD, which is currently being mixed at the Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany under the watchful eye of Sascha Paeth and Miro as producers. So far only one new songtitle has been revealed — "Forsake What I Believed", which frontman Andy B. Franck callas "a headcrusher."

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=124990

German metal veterans RAGE will enter Twilight Hall Studios (where the band's "Unity" CD was previously tracked) in Grefrath, Germany on August 20 to begin recording their new album for a tentative February 2010 release via Nuclear Blast Records. Charlie Bauerfeind (HAMMERFALL, HELLOWEEN) will once again produce the CD, which "will contain progressive [elements] and an orchestrated song," according to a press release. RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski recently spent time in Minsk, Belarus recording the orchestral parts for the album with the Lingua Mortis Orchestra.

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=124986

[Bartwald]

Some great news there! Primal Fear's new album is really good and I'm looking forward to their DVD, as well as to the new albums from Avantasia and Brainstorm.

[slayrrr666]

Primal Fear's one is definitely really good, though I still prefer New Religion now. Since I've lost access to my computer and have to rely on my iPod and CDs for everything, I won't get a chance to compare it like I really should since most of them weren't updated when I lost it, but I do remember that one being my favorite of theirs so far.

[Bartwald]

For me it's really difficult to tell which of their last three CDs is the best one - they're all thoroughly fine and I listen to all three pretty often.

Did you see Brainstorm's new cover, slayrrr? I must say I like it a lot - and hope the album will kill! I did have some problems with their previous CD, but hey - I'm an optimist.

[slayrrr666]

Oh, I forgot about Seven Seals. Awesome album, definitely one of their best ones. Time will tell if that one or New Religion will take their top spot for me, though the few spins so far of 16.6 haven't been bad so far. I see a very respectable third place for that one, right ahead of Black Sun and their self-titled debut.

I have seen the new cover (I don't have access to all my usual tools on my friend's computer that I do on mine, so I couldn't post it) from Brainstorm, and besides the irony of being exposed to them through an album cover, it's not a big deal for me one way or the other. I care more about music than I do the cover.

[slayrrr666]

Here's something good for you:

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet has decided that the forthcoming chapter from his AVANTASIA project will be spread over two albums. He explained: "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. It's all up to whatever label is going to release it; we'll see.

"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 written 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.

"'The Scarecrow' was a huge success. With that success backing me up, it's inspiring to be able to do things big time!

"Looking at the music industry today with all the CD burning and downloading, I guess in the near future many of us traditional rock and metal bands won't be able to spend such a production budget. I am afraid I won't be able to afford so many guests and such a big production with orchestration and a choir and all that. That's why this production takes so much time; it may be the last big epic I will be able to afford, and I want it to be the biggest piece I have worked on so far."

And just in case I forgot to put this up:
So far Tobias has confirmed the following musicians to be part of the forthcoming AVANTASIA opus:

* Klaus Meine (SCORPIONS)
* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH)
* Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER)
* Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN)
* Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN, ARK, MILLENIUM)
* Bob Catley (MAGNUM)
* Sascha Paeth
* Felix Bohnke (EDGUY)
* Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY, SIEGES EVEN)

More guests will be confirmed soon.

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=129029

[slayrrr666]

Here's something else I know you'll like:

Long-running German power metallers HELLOWEEN have teamed up with Sony Music in co-operation with SPV Records, to release the band's upcoming albums. The group's long awaited "Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary" album will be made available on the following dates:

Dec. 16 – Japan, Southeast Asia (JVC/Victor)
Jan. 29 - Europe (Sony/SPV)

The U.S. release date has yet to be announced.

The band says, "'Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary' is a big 'thank-you' to all our fans, old and new, all over the world! Instead of putting together a regular greatest-hits compilation featuring our most successful tracks to celebrate this anniversary, we completely rearranged and re-recorded the greatest songs and melodies of our career. Together with our tried and tested producer, Charlie Bauerfeind, we invited many great musicians to guest on this special record, with the doubtless highlight of having the 70-piece Prague Symphonic Orchestra performing 'The Keeper's Trilogy', a 17-minute medley consisting of the songs 'Halloween', 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' and 'The King for A 1000 Years' — goose bumps guaranteed!

"We aren’t one of those bands who like to celebrate themselves, we just want to say 'thank you' in our own special way to all of you who have followed us through the past 25 years. To us, this album stands for an official celebration.

"It was a big challenge and great experience and we had a lot of fun recording our most important tracks in an entirely new 'outfit' and with new arrangements. We hope you like them!

"Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary" will feature the following tracks:

01. Dr. Stein
02. Future World
03. If I Could Fly
04. Where The Rain Grows
05. The Keeper's Trilogy
06. Eagle Fly Free
07. Perfect Gentleman
08. Forever & One
09. I Want Out
10. Falling To Pieces
11. A Tale That Wasn't Right

Cover art on the page, linked HERE, and I'll keep you up-to-date for release dates as well.

[slayrrr666]

In related news to the Avantasia stuff I mentioned earlier:

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project will celebrate its comeback next year with a new epic masterpiece, to be released as two separate albums entitled "The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon".

So far Tobias has confirmed the following musicians to be part of the forthcoming AVANTASIA opus:

* Klaus Meine (SCORPIONS)
* Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH)
* Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER)
* Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN)
* Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN, ARK, MILLENIUM)
* Bob Catley (MAGNUM)
* Sascha Paeth
* Felix Bohnke (EDGUY)
* Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY, SIEGES EVEN)
* Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X)

Regarding his decision to release the next AVANTASIA chapter in two separate CDs, Tobias said, "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 knew that story would be spread out over two albums back then when we started working on it in 2006, 'cause we had written 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.

"Looking at the music industry today with all the CD burning and downloading, I guess in the near future many of us traditional rock and metal bands won't be able to spend such a production budget. I am afraid I won't be able to afford so many guests and such a big production with orchestration and a choir and all that. That's why this production takes so much time; it may be the last big epic I will be able to afford, and I want it to be the biggest piece I have worked on so far."

Kiske has appeared on every AVANTASIA album so far, including the first two full-length releases, "The Metal Opera" (2001) and "The Metal Opera Pt. II" (2002).

On the topic of the new AVANTASIA album's musical direction, Sammet recently stated, "We've got quite many songs, and it ranges from epic ballads to metal opera. From pop to hard rock to folk to speed metal. My best friend, who co-wrote the story of 'The Metal Opera' back then, just listened to some of the tracks and he said that it will blow people away and enchant AVANTASIA fans and it will surely piss people off . . . It's just enchanting music. And these days honest and good music is kind of offending to some, that's pretty sick, isn't it? But as long as I get goose bumps hearing majestic music, I do not really care if I am fashionable or not."

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=130495

[slayrrr666]

Some awesome news for you, man:

German power metallers GAMMA RAY will release their new album, "To The Metal", on January 29, 2010 via earMUSIC/Edel. The band — Kai Hansen (vocals/guitar), Dirk Schlächter (bass), Henjo Richter (guitar) and Daniel Zimmermann (drums) — recorded a total of twelve new songs earlier this fall at its own studio in Hamburg. Ten of the tracks will appear on the regular album release, while the remaining two cuts will surface on various editions of the album.

"To The Metal" will be made available in four versions:

* As a regular jewel case CD
* As a limited edition featuring an additional DVD (including an exciting making-of)
* As a red vinyl in gatefold packaging
* as a collectors' edition featuring CD and 7" vinyl with two unreleased tracks, hand-signed

The cover artwork was designed by Herve Monjeaud.

"To The Metal" track listing:

01. Rise
02. Deadlands
03. Mother Angel
04. No Need To Cry
05. Empathy
06. To The Metal
07. All You Need To Know
08. Time To Live
09. Shine Forever
10. Breaking Away

DVD (included in limited-edition version):

* 60-minute documentary shot in HD, featuring interviews, "making-of-the-album" material, performance footage of classic GAMMA RAY songs.

Bonus material:

* Three video clips (including "To The Metal")
* Full unedited interview with Kai Hansen

According to a press release, the new GAMMA RAY CD is "classy, fast-paced and deep, and holds a few surprises in store which distinguish the band from the mass of acts who try their hand at similar styles and sounds. . . The band's stylistic range [includes] a full-throttle number such as 'Rise', the rhythmic and melodically diverse 'Time To Live', and the multilayered anthem 'All You Need To Know' (which has given rise to speculation about a spectacular guest singer), as well as the sensitive ballad 'No Need To Cry', composer/lyricist Dirk Schlächter's attempt to come to terms with the untimely death of his father. Of course, there's also the awesome title track — first introduced at the Wacken Open Air 2009 and a number of festivals in Scandinavia (see video below) and considered absolutely indispensible by the fans, which GAMMA RAY recorded as a classic metal track in the midtempo range, making it a real anthem. The atmospherically dense 'Empathy' sees GAMMA RAY prove their amazing musical potential again, which keeps manifesting itself in exceptional and eminently interesting compositions. This song includes all the features of a diverse, exciting and multi-faceted number, in other words: sweeping sounds, cool grooves, a progressive touch and then — almost as if from nowhere — a chorus which seriously bowls you over. Subsequently, the band soar up to an almost oriental-sounding solo part, changing key several times within the track."

The press release was done earlier in the day, so I included the second one just so it would be easier for you.

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=131921

[slayrrr666]

A bunch of news for you, man, all because of the weekend's rush of stories:

Berlin, Germany's PitCam Production recently conducted an interview with guitarist Michael Weikath of German power metallers HELLOWEEN. Watch the English-language chat below.

HELLOWEEN has teamed up with Sony Music in co-operation with SPV Records, to release the band's upcoming albums. The group's long awaited "Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary" album will be made available in Europe on January 29, 2010. A U.S. release date has yet to be announced.

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=132345, the interview is in there.

There was also news that Andre Matos (ex-Angra, Shaaman, Viper) will guest on the new Avantasia CD from Tobias Sammett.

Plus, two updates on the new Gamma Ray CD out next year, with news of a big guest appearance HERE and a traditional band-hype interview available HERE.

[slayrrr666]

Let's start off the new year with something good:

"To The Metal", the new album from German power metallers GAMMA RAY, will be released on January 29, 2010 via earMUSIC/Edel. GAMMA RAY — Kai Hansen (vocals/guitar), Dirk Schlächter (bass), Henjo Richter (guitar) and Daniel Zimmermann (drums) — recorded a total of twelve new songs earlier this fall at its own studio in Hamburg. Ten of the tracks will appear on the regular album release, while the remaining two cuts will surface on various editions of the album.

"To The Metal" will be made available in four versions:

* As a regular jewel case CD
* As a limited edition featuring an additional DVD (including an exciting making-of)
* As a red vinyl in gatefold packaging
* as a collectors' edition featuring CD and 7" vinyl with two unreleased tracks, hand-signed

Check out each of the format's cover artwork HERE.

[slayrrr666]

Here's something good for you, man:

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project will celebrate its comeback this spring with a new epic masterpiece, to be released on April 3, 2010 as two separate albums and in a limited deluxe edition (in one box set) entitled "The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon".

"The Wicked Symphony" track listing:

01. The Wicked Symphony
02. Wastelands
03. Scales Of Justice
04. Dying For An Angel
05. Blizzard On A Broken Mirror
06. Runaway Train
07. Crestfallen
08. Forever Is A Long Time
09. Black Wings
10. States Of Matter
11. The Edge

"Angel Of Babylon" track listing:

01. Angel Of Babylon
02. Stargazers
03. Your Love Is Evil
04. Death Is Just A Feeling
05. Rat Race
06. Down In The Dark
07. Blowing Out The Flame
08. Symphony Of Life
09. Alone I Remember
10. Promised Land 2
11. Journey To Arcadia

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=134661

[slayrrr666]

I know it's been a long time, but finally got some Avantasia/Edguy news for you:

AVANTASIA/EDGUY mainman Tobias Sammet was interviewed this past weekend by his webmaster, Harmon Caldwell. The question-and-answer session follows in its entirety below.

Q: Tobias, the day has come: Your two new AVANTASIA albums, "The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon", have hit the record stores. They seem to be considered the "most ambitious project you have ever done." Are you excited or even nervous now that your fans can hold the albums in their hands?

Tobias: As far as the "most ambitious project" goes, I have always been ambitious and very enthusiastic with whatever I did or am doing. Only this time around we've got two albums and a running time of 120 minutes. Everything was twice as intensive, it has taken twice as long to record, twice as much sweat, twice as many sleepless nights and of course: Now I am twice as happy.

Q: The list of guest musicians is really impressive once again. Klaus Meine, Jon Oliva, Russell Allen, Jorn Lande, Ripper Owens... At some point, weren't you afraid that you might become just another guest on your own albums? Not as a composer, of course, but as a performer?

Tobias: When you put such an epic together, you don't put your own performance front and center. You focus on the project as a whole. Of course, I wanted to perform my vocals as good as I possibly could. But I didn't do this project to boost my ego, I did this because it makes me feel like a kid in a toy store. Believe it or not, when you're in the studio with all these great performers, you are nothing but thankful and happy. It's all for the sake of creating music together, music that I love. You don't start a dick-waving contest. I am just happy to create music I want to listen to myself. This is not the Olympics. It's all about the joy of doing it and listening to the final results afterwards!

Q: Everybody talks about the great guest vocalists' performances. How would you rate your own singing? How has your style changed over the years in your opinion?

Tobias: I am much more happy with my voice nowadays. When I listen to some of the stuff I did on early albums, I scratch my head, haha! I hate my vibrato on those old albums. Mikko Karmilla (engineer of EDGUY's early albums — from "Vain Glory Opera" to "Hellfire Club") once said that it sounds like somebody is shaking me while I try to keep a tone. Thank God my producer Sascha cured me from it. Whenever I start to sing with high clean opera vocals, Sascha throws up on the mixing desk. At some point I couldn't stand the smell of his vomit in the studio anymore. I don't wanna be in a fucking Alessandro Moreschi tribute band (laughs). The range is still there, which feels great, but I would rather focus on feeling and emotion than competing with the sound of a sharply braking freight train. If you listen to the new AVANTASIA material like "Your Love Is Evil" or the chorus of "States Of Matter", without blowing my trumpet, I guess that's not too bad. But, of course, there are so many outstanding singers who did a great job on AVANTASIA, it would be out of place to speak about my performance in that context. If you listen to the last EDGUY album, "Tinnitus Sanctus", you can hear the essence of my singing. This is just me on vocals. Having enough distance from that album now, I can rightfully say that it is the strongest EDGUY album. It's a killer album, maybe some people didn't understand it, but "Sex Fire Religion" or "Pride Of Creation" are killer tracks. That's what metal has to sound like, in my opinion. On "929" I think I gave my best vocal performance in ten years, maybe. The album didn't have the success it deserved in all territories, but that's the price we are willing to pay in order to follow our hearts. "Tinnitus Sanctus"... What an album! Wow, off topic. Back to AVANTASIA (laughs).

Q: I really liked "Tinnitus", but the two new AVANTASIA albums seem to be a little more epic and some people even think you are going back to the roots with those albums. Was that intentional? Some people have even said or implied that you put more work into AVANTASIA than EDGUY. What is your counter argument to that claim?

Tobias: It's bullshit! "Tinnitus Sanctus" is the perfect EDGUY album, even if some people hate it or not. I can judge, I am IN this band! It's funny, whenever I speak to the press or fans I get the feeling that a lot of people out there know more about our insidious plans and intentions than we do. I have heard it all: commercial sell-out, back to the roots, burnt out, you name it. But we don't think about it, we're just out to have fun and play the music we love. Again, "Tinnitus Sanctus" embodies the essence of EDGUY, it has got some of the strongest songs we have ever done. It kicks ass, it's mean and dirty and yet bombastic and it's got some of the most anthemic melodies. And it's got great songwriting, the greatest performance of each musician in the history of EDGUY. I know it, I am actually a member of this band (laughs). I respect every opinion, but I am in the position to eventually judge! As far as selling out goes, we didn't even release a single. If we would be out for a hit single, it would be rather dumb to not release one at all.

Q: Okay, back to AVANTASIA: If an alien came down to earth: How would you describe the two new albums in your own words, briefly?

Tobias: I think it's just a magnificent piece of work, but in press language I'd tell the alien it's a six-point-four out of a six-and-a-half-point-two. And the deduction is only because it sounds like BON JOVI (laughs)! If the alien didn't understand what I meant, then nobody would. Sane music lovers surely don't understand the music press. I'd say it's great and epic music. I'd tell the alien: Listen, parts of the drums have been played by one of your kind! Now give it a listen or two and you will hear how honest we were and how we constantly tore down limits and boundaries. The honesty, the diversity, the elemental force and the grandeur will drip out of your stereo... And finally melt your spaceship!

Q: You produced two albums at once; it must have been a lot of work. Was there a point during the production, that you regretted recording such a massive amount of material?

Tobias: No, when I realized how much material it was, it was already produced! The secret is quite easy, it's like a life motto to me: "Do what you love!" I focus on things that make me happy. On the two new AVANTASIA albums, for example, all I want to do is play the music I love and seize my time on this beautiful planet with something that fills me with joy. And believe me, I live the happiest life on the planet. So it's my duty to pass it on. I know I have had a lot of luck, more luck than talent for sure. And I know that many people can not live by that motto 24 hours a day, seven days a week (me neither, by the way.). But if we really want it we can optimize the happy aspects in our lives. Just take a look around: There are so many people who waste their energy on giving someone else a hard time. Take music journalism: Some people look out for music they love and some people wait for bands they can hate and bash. You have to be perverse to choose to be miserable and surround yourself with such a negative, angry, and unfair vibe. Or neighbours: Some people call the police and complain about noisy couples in the flat above, and others take the opportunity and fuck themselves. Relax! Follow your dreams and enjoy life! Wasting your energy for something negative is disrespectful towards those who really need your support and energy. I try not to waste precious time and energy: I seize the day to make people smile, me included. You'll be surprised of how much you can work out if you live by that motto.

Q: So what are the future plans of Tobias Sammet? Any new dreams to dream?

Tobias: I don't think about that right now, I just enjoy having recorded two amazing new chapters in my personal discography. Life is what happens to you while you are making plans. 20 years ago I had the dream of becoming a rock musician. I wanted to record my own albums and make just enough money to earn a living. Today I am looking back on chart-breaking albums, a tour with AEROSMITH, stadium shows with IRON MAIDEN and the SCORPIONS. I was given the great opportunity to start AVANTASIA and to work with Alice Cooper, musicians from KISS and the SCORPS whose posters I had on my wall. I have been given the chance to play various world tours, travelled from Israel to China and from the USA to Brazil. I still can't believe this is all true, so please don't wake me up! And all my life I have just worked on future plans. Now is the time to recall the past, enjoy it, and relax. I deserve that after these two new albums, I really deserve being able to not think about the future for a few weeks.

www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=138024

And here's a video interview in the post on the page HERE.