We can now reveal another secret regarding the forthcoming Avantasia epics “The Wicked Symphony” and “Angel Of Babylon”, out on April, 3rd 2010. He used to be the mastermind of legendary US-Epic-Metal veterans Savatage, and he is also the brains behind the highly successful ‘Trans-Siberian Orchestra’. To his fans he is the “Mountain king”: Mr. Jon Oliva.

Tobias comments: “Jon will appear on a theatrical song called “Death Is Just A Feeling”. We just had a press listening last weekend in Mousse T’s prestigious Peppermint-Park studios in Hannover where we had recorded the duet with Klaus Meine a few months ago for example. Many of the numerous journalists that had come from all over Europe said that they have the feeling this is going to be the most epic and simply the best Avantasia-stuff with the widest variety so far, yet every song fits perfectly to the enchanting conceptual character. I am proud, I knew we were gonna do something momentous, but it feels great that it’s been confirmed once more. Jon’s song stood out as it is like a little movie itself, very eerie, and it could be a perfect chapter in a horror-musical.”

Besides Jon Oliva the new Avantasia epics will have the longest list of musicians in the history of the project, there will be Klaus Meine (Scorpions), Ripper Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Bob Catley (Magnum), Eric Singer (KISS), Bruce Kulick (ex-KISS, ex-Meat Loaf), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Andre Matos (ex-Angra), Ralf Zdiarstek (Amitav), Oliver Hartmann, Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody), Felix Bohnke (Edguy), Sascha Paeth (ex-Heavens Gate), Cloudy Yang, Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, ex-DIO, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) and Miro Rodenberg.

Last weekend 15 out of 22 songs of the forthcoming two Avantasia epics "The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon" have been played to the press and according to a spokesman of the record label the reactions were nothing but overwhelming and ranged from "hit-album" to "containing some of the best songs - EVER."

On April 3rd you will be able to listen to the albums yourself, but for now here is what the press is already saying about the next chapter in the history of the "Mother of Metal Operas":

"Great albums and a lot of impressions - tons of amazing songs and a lot of brilliant guest artists. The two titelsongs are some of the best music pieces I have ever heard! Brilliant! Tobias rules!" (Scream, Norway - Stig Ødegaard)

"Tobi at his finest, very exciting and with several potential hit songs" (Sweden Rock, Sweden - Erik Thompson)

"Brilliant, uplifting and roaring statement about how modern Hard Rock and Metal should be done. You never get tired of listening to the songs and the concept never gets old. A hit!" (Metal Hammer, Spain - Sergi Ramos)

"Everyone who loves Michael Kiske on double-bass songs of Helloween, will enjoy this record. On to pare Tim Ripper Owens and the killing madness of Jon Oliva. If you want to have Tobi's spirit at home, don't miss it. (Spark, CZ - David Havlena)

"Sammet blends all vocal and Musicians into one melodic, yet heavy and fetching experience. Amazing" (Rock Tribune, Belgium - Vera Matthissens)

"It's a great album, full of classic hooks, songs and melodies. Great performances and compositions. Both CD's are great!" (Rock Hard, Greece - Dimitris Serinakis)

"A well orchestrated record with great arrangements. Epic AOR made to give light to the voices. Good impact, good riffs, good production." (Rock Hard, Italy - Maurizio De Paolo)

"Epic twosome with big choruses. Catchy, catchy and catchy! With Jon Oliva on board you can't go wrong. If you like powerful stuff, Avantasia is your cup of tea." (Inferno, Fin - Marko Oskari Lehtonen)

"The record sounds much heavier than 'The Scarecrow'. I was very pleased with a nice combination of various styles, so there are power anthem like choruses and many other elements. Definetly the most epic albums so far." (Hard Rocker, Poland - Kamila Skoczek)

"Erstklassiges Songwriting, abwechslungsreiche Arrangements, großartige Stimmen! Herausragender Melodic Metal im Doppelpack" (Rock Hard, D - Andreas Stappert)

"Viele namhafte Gäste, viele unterschiedliche Stimmfärbungen, dennoch zwei Alben, die von der typischen Handschrift Sammets gekennzeichnet sind: melodisch, pathetisch, raffiniert arrangiert. Ein gelungenes Hybrid aus Hard Rock und Melodic Metal." (Metal Hammer, D - Matthias Mineur)

"Tobi ist musikalisch endgültig erwachsen geworden. Mehr von allem: Sänger, Gitarren, Songs und Solis. Für diese Ideenvielfalt sind zweifellos zwei Alben nötig." (Heavy, D - Martin Kosbab Zillmann)

"Ein im positiven Sinne typisches Avantasia Werk. Konsequente Fortsetzung des Konzepts mit echten musikalischen Highlights. Jon Oliva als Auferstehung von Alice Cooper ist großartig. Ein Album das auch diesesmal große Kreativität und Abwechslung offenbart" (Rock It, D - Jürgen Will)