German power metal outfit Edguy has released four albums over its seven plus year existence, all of which have been critically acclaimed throughout the worldwide metal underground. While recording guest vocals from Blind Guardian singer Hansi Kursch, Edguy vocalist Tobias Sammet realized his desire to record with a multitude of other vocalists and musicians. Sammet began writing a concept album around the idea of creating a heavy metal opera featuring many of the best vocalists on the current scene. Eventually, after more than a year in the making, he named his project Avantasia and aptly called the work The Metal Opera. He had enlisted some of the top vocalists in hard rock including Kai Hansen from Gamma Ray, Timo Tolkki from Stratovarius, Virgin Steeles David DeFeis, Rob Rock from Warrior, Angras Andre Matos and the female parts are fulfilled by Sharon Den Adel from Within Temptation. To create a soundtrack adequate to support such superb singers Sammet surrounded himself with musicians whose talent is unsurpassed. The band features Henjo Richter (Gamma Ray) and Jens Ludwig (Edguy) on guitars, Markus Grosskopf (Helloween) on bass and Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody) behind the drum kit. All of these names have helped Avantasia create one of the most brilliant and refreshing power metal releases in years. A true metal opera based around a fantasy story rife with deceit, treachery, religion, imprisonment and witchcraft. Enough to peak the interest of any true metal head until Sammet finds the time to reconvene Avantasia and continue his spellbinding tale.