Singer Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) has recently been in the studio to sing his parts for the forthcoming AVANTASIA epic, whose title is yet to be announced.

About the collaboration leader and EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet commented: "I had this pretty heavy riff monster and I remembered a Judas Priest live-album with "the new singer" on vocals. I listened again and when I heard him sing 'Metal Gods' and 'Painkiller' I knew that this was the voice I so desperately needed for the song. Tim is a cool guy and a scream machine. He makes his voice spit out the most aggressive high notes I have ever heard, while fully controlling it. I am so proud of the heaviest metal tune I have written so far, and Tim has turned a good heavy metal song into the ultimate heavy metal monster!"

Photos of Owens in the studio can be seen in the backstage section of Avantasia's website here (registration required).

Avantasia's forthcoming album will feature guest appearances from Klaus Meine (SCORPIONS), Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN, ARK, MILLENIUM) and drummers Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER, BLACK SABBATH) and Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY OF FIRE, ANGRA, SIEGES EVEN).

About the album Sammet recently remarked:"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 mindblowing. 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."