The following is an excerpt from an interview with AVANTASIA founder Tobias Sammet discussing the forthcoming EPs, Lost In Space Part 1 and Part 2:

Q: The Lost in Space CDs are scheduled to come out in November. Why did you decide to release those two 6 track-albums in advance? Wouldn't it make more sense financially to release an additional full length album instead?

Sammet: "I've been going on record saying I don't like your typical single with one track the record company needs to release in advance in order to promote an album. And we've been on such a roll during the production, we said to ourselves: 'Let's go on producing, no matter if we have enough great material already.' You can never produce too much great material. I know that it may be stupid from an ecconomic point of view, but I am not starving and life is give-and-take. I am sure the fans will love the EPs and later on the album will benefit from having happy fans as well. And then the record company will get their advanced budget back I hope."

Q: So what can we find on those LIS releases besides the title track?

Sammet: "The title track 'Lost In Space' which I consider the 'single song' will be the only identical song on both CDs. Each CD will feature five more individual tracks, we've recorded a great bombastic Metal version of an ABBA song for example, I've written a real epic anthem called 'The Story Ain't Over', we've got a song featuring Eric Singer on vocals, Kiss fans may know what a great voice the man has. You will have the video and its making-of on one CD; and a studio report with interviews on the other one. A load of rare photos etc. I swear to god, you have never got that much quality for so little money. Some bands may have included a few more intros and made full albums of each of those CDs. And put 'em out for more than the double price. And yet, they'd be worth it."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Go to this location for more information on the forthcoming full length Avantasia album, The Scarecrow.