Tobias Sammet and EDGUY are currently touring South America with ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist SLASH and his band, but right before they left Tobias issued some footage he filmed during the recording of the new AVANTASIA album to give you a clue of what's going on in the studio. The drum recordings for the forthcoming Avantasia album have been completed, the drummer is Russell Gilbrook from URIAH HEEP.

Tobias comments: "Russell is a killer drummer, a real power house! When Eric Singer gave me his schedule for 2012 and how much he'd be involved with KISS, I knew that I had to find a drummer, so I was trying to kind of make a virtue of necessity and add a new flavor to Avantasia. I remembered having seen Uriah Heep a few years ago and I was really impressed by the way the drummer mistreated his poor little kit, beating it to pieces like a monster, while still keeping the dynamics and the groove. I knew that if I‘d be in need of a drummer one day, I'd try to work with this guy. And now after the recording has been completed I know that it's been a very good decision. If you check the little clip above, I know you will agree. Russell is a monster and the drums sound amazing. Also the studio must have the best drum recording room I've ever been to. Previous clients like ROGER WHITTAKER, TRUCK STOP, RAMMSTEIN, and SARAH BRIGHTMAN knew why they went for the Vox-Klangstudio... I am extraordinarily happy!"

Later this month, Tobias and Edguy will embark on a 12-date tour of Germany with DEEP PURPLE, confirmed shows are as follows:

November

15 - Köln, Germany - Lanxess Arena
16 - Bremen, Germany - Halle 7
17 - Hannover, Germany - AWD-Halle
20 - Kiel, Germany - Sparkassen-Arena
22 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle
23 - Oberhausen, Germany - Königpilsner Arena
24 - Hamburg, Germany - O2 World
26 - Leipzig, Germany - Arena
27 - Berlin, Germany - O2 World
29 - Augsburg, Germany - Schwabenhalle
30 - München, Germany - Olympiahalle

December

1 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyerhalle