AVANTASIA/EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet spoke with the Michael Kiske Official Fanclub about the upcoming AVANTASIA albums The Wicked Symphony and Angel Of Babylon, which are scheduled for release on April 3rd.

A few excerpts from the interview follow:

Tobias Sammet about Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN) collaboration: "Micha is always a sure shot! He's been the voice that made me want to become a singer 20 years ago. So he is responsible for that vibrato in my voice, haha!... After all those years he is still the best on his field. I told him a few months ago: 'Michi, I know you don't want to hear that, but when you sing those 'Eagle Fly Free' type of songs with a positive vibe and an anthemic melody in high pitched range, there is no one better than you.' 'Eagle Fly Free' defined Helloween, Michi Kiske defined Helloween."

Fanclub question: Did you find it familiar when the critics that always had/have Kiske that when he releases a solo album to say 'that's not metal so it's a shit' with songs like 'Lost In Space' and 'Carry Me Over' of last Avantasia?

Tobias Sammet: "Of course. I know exactly what it feels like. But you know what? I know what to do, and nobody else is allowed to tell me, they call that the spirit of Rock'n'Roll! Let's make no compromises, let's raise our fist and all that bullshit. And when somebody puts those phrases to action some people immediately start to whine. People said 'This is not Avantasia!' Of course it is: just read the album cover, it says Avantasia in big letters, haha!"

Tobias Sammet about selling music by internet:

Tobias Sammet: "To be honest, I really hate listening to music that doesn't have a 'physical layout', a 'face', a 'look'. I wanna have the vinyl, the cover... To me Bat Out Of Hell (MEAT LOAF) is a pretty orange album, whereas A Night At The Opera (QUEEN) is an extremely white album. You know, I even know what KISS' Dressed To Kill-album smells like. What do bits and bytes smell like? What do they look like? Everybody reads e-books and makes friends on Myspace and all that shit. What about the good old days when it was a ritual to take a train into town, go to your local record dealer and unwrap the album package of DEF LEPPARD's Hysteria on your way home. It was a ritual!"

Check out the entire chat 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 will be 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 will feature 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 will also be 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 will feature 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.