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Edguy

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Edguy
Edguy performing in 2017
Edguy performing in 2017
Background information
OriginFulda, Germany
GenresPower metal, heavy metal
Years active1992–2020 (currently on hiatus)
Labels
SpinoffsAvantasia
MembersTobias Sammet
Jens Ludwig
Dirk Sauer
Tobias Exxel
Felix Bohnke
Past membersDominik Storch
Websitewww.edguy.net

Edguy is a German power metal band formed in 1992 in Fulda by students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch, and Dirk Sauer. Initially named after their math teacher, the band faced early rejections from record labels but persevered, releasing their unofficial debut album, Savage Poetry, in 1995. They gained wider recognition with their subsequent albums, including Kingdom of Madness (1997) and Vain Glory Opera (1998), featuring guest appearances from notable musicians. Over the years, Edguy has evolved their sound, with Sammet also launching the successful metal opera project Avantasia. The band has released multiple studio albums, including Age of the Joker (2011) and Space Police: Defenders of the Crown (2014), and has engaged in extensive touring. As of March 2020, Edguy is on hiatus while Sammet focuses on new Avantasia material.

History

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Demos, AFM years (1992–2003)

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Edguy was founded in 1992[1] by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch, and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of Steel. These tapes were sent to many record labels, all of whom rejected the band, believing they would be unsuccessful in the music business.[2]

Undeterred, they self-released their "unofficial" debut album, Savage Poetry, in 1995. Shortly thereafter, they signed with AFM Records, which offered to re-release Savage Poetry with more widespread distribution. The band, however, rejected this proposal in favor of recording a new album, Kingdom of Madness, which was released in 1997, although drummer Dominik Storch departed shortly after. In 1998, they released their second album, Vain Glory Opera, with friend Frank Lindenthal filling in on drums. This album helped expose Edguy to a broader audience, partly due to guest appearances from Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius) and Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian).[3] The band was later joined by new drummer Felix Bohnke and bassist Tobias 'Eggi' Exxel, allowing Tobias Sammet to focus solely on vocals (he had previously played bass while also handling vocal duties).

In 1999, Theater of Salvation was released. That same year, frontman Tobias Sammet conceived the idea for the Avantasia project, a metal opera featuring well-known vocalists and musicians from the rock and metal scene. While Tobias focused on Avantasia, the band took the opportunity to re-record Savage Poetry to make it widely available to newer fans, as the original had become a much sought-after rarity.[4][5]

Following the re-recording of Savage Poetry, the band's fifth album, Mandrake, was released in 2001. The album was accompanied by their first promo video for the track "All the Clowns" and the Painting on the Wall single. The Mandrake album also led to the band's first headlining tour.[6] Three shows were recorded in Europe and served as the basis for Edguy's first live album, Burning Down the Opera – Live.[7]

By this point, the band's contract with AFM had expired, leading them to sign with Nuclear Blast in late 2003.[8]

Nuclear Blast years (2004–present)

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Edguy at Gods of Metal 2006

Edguy's inaugural release with Nuclear Blast was the King of Fools EP in 2004, followed closely by the Hellfire Club album, which was released shortly thereafter.[9] The track "Lavatory Love Machine" was also issued as a single. The band's prolific output continued into 2005 with the release of the Superheroes EP and accompanying DVD, the latter featuring live and studio footage of the band, as well as a making-of documentary for the title track's music video. This was succeeded by the full-length album Rocket Ride, which was released in January 2006.

In 2007, Sammet dedicated much of his time to relaunching the Avantasia project. Edguy returned to the studio in 2008 to record Tinnitus Sanctus, with a video being filmed for the track "Ministry of Saints" in Belgrade, Serbia.[10][11] Following a contract renewal with Nuclear Blast in late 2008,[12] the band released their first live DVD, Fucking with Fire – Live, in 2009. This DVD featured live performances captured in São Paulo, Brazil, during their Rocket Ride world tour in 2006.[13] In 2010, the band supported Scorpions on the German dates of their farewell tour.[14]

Edguy released their ninth studio album, Age of the Joker, in August 2011.[15] The band subsequently toured Europe and South America in support of the album, including dates with Slash[16] and Deep Purple,[17] as well as an appearance on the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise.[18]

On 13 February 2013, Sammet conducted an interview to promote the latest release from his Avantasia project. During the interview, he revealed that Edguy was planning to release a new album in mid-2014.[19] On 28 January 2014, Edguy announced that the album would be titled Space Police: Defenders of the Crown and would be released on 18 April.[20]

On 13 March 2017, a 2-CD/DVD package titled Monuments was announced for release on 14 July, featuring both old and new material.

In 2018, Edguy released a remastered edition of their debut album Kingdom of Madness as an Anniversary Edition.

In March 2020, Sammet announced via Facebook that Edguy was on hiatus because he had "been working on a new Avantasia record for a while now, and not on a new Edguy record because that's what feels right to me." Sammet also explained that while he considered Space Police to be a great album, the production process had been "exhausting."[21]

Musical style

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Edguy at Kavarna Rock Fest 2009

Edguy's lyrics often feature metaphorical references, addressing metaphysical or social themes such as conformity ("The Headless Game," "Mysteria," "King of Fools"), the influence of the church ("The Kingdom," "The Pride of Creation," "Theater of Salvation"), and the dangers posed by modern civilization ("Navigator," "The Devil and the Savant"). To convey these themes, Edguy sometimes employs esoteric and hermetic expressions. However, some of their songs take a light-hearted or comedic approach, such as "Das Reh," "Save Us Now," "Lavatory Love Machine," "Life and Times of a Bonus Track," and "Trinidad." Edguy does not purport to represent any specific ideology; Tobias Sammet has stated, "[the band is] not political and we are not religious; at least there is no key message in our songs telling you what to think in terms of anything."

The album Hellfire Club showcased Edguy's interest in musical experimentation by incorporating an orchestra into its production. This album presented a variation on Edguy's typical style, embracing a less grandiose, more progressive metal approach. Their subsequent album, Rocket Ride, contains even fewer power metal elements and leans more towards hard rock. The next release, Tinnitus Sanctus, features an even greater focus on hard rock-oriented songs; a notable reduction in double bass drumming is evident, contrasting sharply with Edguy's earlier albums, such as Vain Glory Opera, which prominently featured rapid double bass—a hallmark of the power metal genre. When asked whether the term "happy heavy metal band" applies to them, Tobias rejected the label and elaborated:[22]

We are a Heavy Metal band. We play angry, powerful, sometimes tongue-in-cheek Metal. We are flamboyant and we don't take ourselves too seriously, but that goes for Van Halen too, right? Are they Happy Rock? No, they have a sense of humor and kick ass! Just like we do...

Members

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Current members
  • Tobias Sammet – vocals, keyboards (1992–present), bass guitar (1992–1998)
  • Jens Ludwig – guitar, backing vocals (1992–present)
  • Dirk Sauer – guitar, backing vocals (1992–present)
  • Tobias Exxel – bass guitar, backing vocals (1998–present)
  • Felix Bohnke – drums (1998–present)[23]
Former members
  • Dominik Storch – drums (1992–1998)
  • Frank Lindenthal – drums (1998) (studio only)
Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Title Record label Peak chart positions
GER
[24] 		AUT
[25] 		FIN
[26] 		FRA
[27] 		SPA
[28] 		SWE
[29] 		SWI
[30]
1997 Kingdom of Madness AFM - - - - - - -
1998 Vain Glory Opera AFM - - - - - - -
1999 Theater of Salvation AFM 66 - - - - 50 -
2000 The Savage Poetry AFM 79 - - - - 60 -
2001 Mandrake AFM 19 - - 47 - 32 -
2004 Hellfire Club Nuclear Blast 26 68 22 54 - 6 81
2006 Rocket Ride Nuclear Blast 8 50 25 - - 8 50
2008 Tinnitus Sanctus Nuclear Blast 19 50 - 85 - 28 41
2011 Age of the Joker Nuclear Blast 3 30 15 98 44 10 13
2014 Space Police: Defenders of the Crown Nuclear Blast 2 27 12 72 59 28 13

Live albums

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Singles

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Demos

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EPs

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Year Title Peak chart positions[31]
GER AUT FIN FRA ITA SWE SWI
2004 King of Fools 39 67 12 - - 16 98
2005 Superheroes 25 - - 96 48[32] 10 52

Compilation albums

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Videos

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  • "All the Clowns" (2001)
  • "King of Fools" (2004)
  • "Lavatory Love Machine" (2004)
  • "Superheroes" (2005)
  • "Ministry of Saints" (2008)
  • "Robin Hood" (2011)
  • "Love Tyger" (2014)

DVDs

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References

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  1. ^ "Edguy Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  2. ^ Metal Revolution (24 October 2006). "Edguy Interview". Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  3. ^ Tartarean Desire (10 March 2004). "Edguy Interview". Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  4. ^ Metal-Rules (2002). "AVANTASIA Interview With Tobias Sammet". Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  5. ^ Metal Reviews. "Edguy Interview". Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  6. ^ Metal-Rules (4 February 2002). "EDGUY Interview With Jens Ludwig". Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  7. ^ Blabbermouth (17 March 2003). "EDGUY Guitarist Talks About Upcoming Live Album". Archived from the original on 5 January 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  8. ^ Blabbermouth (7 October 2003). "EDGUY Signs With Nuclear Blast Records". Archived from the original on 19 January 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  9. ^ Rock United (2004). "Edguy Interview 2004". Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  10. ^ Bravewords (27 June 2008). "EDGUY To Release Tinnitus Sanctus In November". Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  11. ^ Blabbermouth (24 September 2008). "EDGUY Films 'Ministry Of Saints' Video". Archived from the original on 27 December 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  12. ^ Bravewords (14 September 2008). "EDGUY Extend Nuclear Blast Contract; Brazilian Live DVD Part Of Deal". Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  13. ^ Live Metal (14 April 2009). "Edguy: 'Holy ear damage'". Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  14. ^ Gemmus (5 February 2010). "Edguy to support Scorpions in Germany". Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  15. ^ Hard Rock Hideout (11 May 2011). "EDGUY Announce New Album, "Age Of The Joker"". Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  16. ^ Metal Underground (4 July 2012). "Edguy Announces South American Tour Dates With Slash". Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  17. ^ Nuclear Blast (23 January 2012). "EDGUY – Special Guest of DEEP PURPLE!". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  18. ^ Metal-Rules (12 January 2012). "EDGUY and SAPIENCY confirmed for 70000 TONS OF METAL". Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  19. ^ Power Metal.de (13 February 2013). "AVANTASIA: Interview mit Tobias Sammet". Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  20. ^ "New Edguy Album "Space Police" Out on April 18th". Facebook. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  21. ^ Sammet, Tobias (28 March 2020). "Friends..." Avantasia's official Facebook page. Facebook. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  22. ^ Tobias Sammet, BearlySinister (31 March 2014). "Interview: Tobias Sammet from Edguy". New-Transcendence. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  23. ^ "Metal Storm". Metalstorm.ee. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  24. ^ "Suchergebnisse in den deutschen Charts". Charts.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  25. ^ "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal – Suche nach: edguy". Austriancharts.at (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  26. ^ "Finnish charts portal – Search for: edguy". finnishcharts.com. The Official Finnish Charts. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  27. ^ "Les charts français – Recherche pour: edguy". lescharts.com. National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing. Archived from the original on 27 April 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  28. ^ "Spanish charts portal – Search for: edguy". spanishcharts.com. Promusicae. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  29. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 28 July 2017. Click on "Veckans albumlista".
  30. ^ "Discographie Edguy". Hitparade.ch (in German). Media Control Charts. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  31. ^ GER ep peak chart positions Archived 28 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine AUT FIN FRA SWI SWE ep peak chart positions
  32. ^ "Superheroes EP Italian peak chart position". Acharts.us. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
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