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Rock'n'Roll

“Tinnitus Sanctus” makes your ears bleed Von Joachim Herbert, 13.11.2008

Interview * Tobias Sammet: New Edguy-CD released on November 14

Edguy Tinnitus Sanctus CD CoverThe new album from German power metal kings Edguy will be in stores tomorrow and I talked to front man Tobias Sammet just before the release. Tobi not only talked about the new CD, but also told us about Edguy’s US-tour with Kamelot and his work with Bruce Kulick, ex-guitarist of Kiss. Furthermore this interview is about Jesus, Belgrade, honest metal musicians and kick-ass songs.

TOWIU: Let’s begin with the new album. The title isn’t cool, but funny. Why „Tinnitus Sanctus“?
Tobias Sammet: We wanted a title that sounds epic and also has pun. It’s the “holy ringing” in you ear. The album-title should sound big and valuable but also express loudness.

TOWIU: The portrait of Jesus Christ on the cover of your new CD reminds one of Guns ‘n Roses singer Axl Rose’s t-shirt “Kill Your Idols”. How did you find this picture?
Sammet Tobias AvantasiaTobias Sammet: We were looking for a picture of Jesus and this one is a famous picture you run into a lot. But we let him chisel in stone, because we didn’t want to shock. There’s blood running out of Jesus’ ear, different than the Mother of God, where blood is running out of her eye. The whole ting should have a certain pun and should not be offensive.
Question is if you’re allowed to laugh about Jesus. But I think, people who laugh don’t kill anybody. But I’ve got things straightened out with God anyway, so I can make a little joke about him. I think, he’s making fun of me also every once in a while.

TOWIU: „Tinnitus Sanctus“ will be in stores tomorrow. Where will the CD be released?
Tobias Sammet: In all industrial countries. All over Asia, all over South America, in every European country. It’s the same distribution department that released the latest Avantasia-CD „The Scarecrow“. Only in the US the CD will be released in January.

TOWIU: Upfront you said „Edguy never sounded better“. Is that the typical promotion talk or is it truly like that?
Tobias Sammet: I think, if this wasn’t my opinion, I would prefer saying nothing. It’s amazing how you can stick out from the rest by just being honest.
I want to go on making music for 30 more years and the rock fan that follows a band career for a long time will recognize if I only use selling phrases.
The whole album sounds like up-to-date rock and not like “childmetal”. I am truly convinced that it’s like that and that Edguy never sounded better.

TOWIU: You also talk about the best melodies in years. How does composing work? When is a song a track for Edguy and when is it one for Avantasia, your second project besides Edguy?
Tobias Sammet: If I write a song for Avantasia I have different singers in my mind right from the beginning, for example Alice Cooper. So it works subconscious that I write the songs more bombastic.
Concerning Edguy the permanent touring left its mark and the songs have more of a kick-ass-attitude. When it comes to a song like „Dead Or Rock“, I don’t know if I would have put it on an Avantasia-CD.

TOWIU: The video to “Ministry Of Saints” was shot in Belgrade. Why did you go to Serbia for shooting a video?
Tobias Sammet: Never change a winning team. We shot the two Avantasia videos “Lost In Space” und “Carry Me Over” in Belgrade, simply because the video director is good. That is why we produced „Ministry Of Saints“ in Belgrade as well.

TOWIU: You and the other guys from Edguy recently went on a US tour with Kamelot. How did you like the concerts?
Tobias Sammet: We still play clubs, but most of them were really crowded with fans. Contrary to its reputation the organisation in the US is much worse compared to Germany. It’s like in Eastern Europe. The quality standard in the US is lower, referred to the music a swell as the organisation. I’m talking about promotion, but also about the technical equipment in the clubs. But the tour and the fans were amazing anyway. We played clubs with 500 people and clubs with 1.000 people.

TOWIU: And after the tour you were off to Los Angeles…
Tobias Sammet: Yes, I wanted to go on vacation and relax for a few days anyway.

TOWIU: But you didn’t go there to relax only. Tell me a little about your meeting with Bruce Kulick, the ex-guitarist of Kiss.
Tobias Sammet: The contact to Bruce was organized by Eric Singer who’s the drummer of Kiss and who played drums in December 2006 on the latest Avantasia-CD „The Scarecrow“.
Bruce Kulick had a song for his solo album that he wanted to record with me. On the flight from Minneapolis to Seattle I wrote the lyrics to the song and when I was in L.A., Bruce came to my hotel room with his guitar and we worked on the song.
That was really interesting. Kiss was my first favourite band after AC/DC after all. I already knew Bruce, but only from posters :-) . By e-mail he got in touch with me.
The whole thing was fun in the first place. That was important to me. And Bruce will probably play on the next Avantasia album.

TOWIU: In January and February you go on a European tour and one of you support bands will be Andre Matos with his musicians. who already worked as a singer for Aantasia.
Tobias Sammet: That’s true. Andre will join us on the road, except fort he concerts in Germany and Sweden. For the support bands it’s a question of money, that’s why they can’t join us for all concerts. When Andre is not playing, All Ends will support us. And H.E.A.T., who will be on the road with us fort he whole tour.

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