A new interview with AVANTASIA mastermind Tobias Sammet, conducted by his webmaster Harmon Caldwell, is now online.

See what Tobias had to say about working on the new Avantasia albums, about the most recent EDGUY album, Tinnitus Sanctus, musical diversity and after all his life motto.

The following is an excerpt from the interview:

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?

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

A: “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.”

Read the complete interview at this location.

Avantasia have released their new video, for their new single 'Dying For An Angel', featuring legendary SCORPIONS singer Klaus Meine. Check out the clip below.

The Wicked Symphony and Angel Of Babylon are available as normal CDs, as two separate double-picture vinyls, and as a beautiful collector's edition with a beautiful Avantasia-picture-book. The deluxe box set features two CDs in two digibooks with impressive booklets, codes for online content (like bonus tracks, etc.) and the Avantasia book The Wicked Trilogy including many never before seen photos from the tour and from photo sessions, etc. An exclusive interview, liner notes, and a biography is also included.

The tracklistings for each album are as follows:

The Wicked Symphony:

'The Wicked Symphony'

'Wastelands'

'Scales Of Justice'

'Dying For An Angel'

'Blizzard On A Broken Mirror'

Runaway Train'

'Crestfallen'

'Forever Is A Long Time'

'Black Wings'

'States Of Matter'

'The Edge'

Angel Of Babylon:

'Angel Of Babylon'

'Stargazers'

'Your Love Is Evil'

'Death Is Just A Feeling'

'Rat Race'

'Down In The Dark'

'Blowing Out The Flame'

'Symphony Of Life'

'Alone I Remember'

'Promised Land 2'

'Journey To Arcadia'

This sequel of Avantasia's 2008 chart breaker album The Scarecrow features the following guest stars: Klaus Meine (SCORPIONS), Ripper Owens (CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, HAIL!, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN), Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN), Jon Oliva (JON OLIVA'S PAIN, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, SAVATAGE) Andre Matos (ANGRA, SHAMAN), Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X), Eric Singer (KISS), Bruce Kulick (GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, ex-KISS, MEAT LOAF), Felix Bohnke (EDGUY), Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS), Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY), Felix Bohnke (Edguy), Ralf Zdiarstek (AMITAF), producer Sascha Paeth (ex-HEAVEN'S GATE), Cloudy Yang and Tobias on bass guitar and lead vocals.

For more info visit www.tobiassammet.com.