Stratovarius Community

Early next year a new epic of Tobias Sammet's Avantasia project will be released in two chapters: "The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon". Tobias is in the studio right now, working with producer Sascha Paeth on this new "Rock Opera" which is starring musicians like Klaus Meine (Scorpions), Ripper Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Bob Catley (Magnum), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Eric Singer (KISS), Felix Bohnke (Edguy), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody) and some more that will be announced soon.

The most recent contribution comes from the guy who is known amongst Metal fans all over the world as one of the best neo-classical keyboarders in the world. He was the keyboard player who fought duels with Yngwie Malmsteen at the speed of light in the eighties, he played with Ronnie James Dio, he is a key member of Stratovarius and early next year the arrowy solo skills of his fingers can be heard on the next chapter of Avantasia: Ladies and gentlemen, from Sweden, the one and only Mr. Jens Johansson!

Tobias says: "I've known Jens for years now, there has always been a friendship between Edguy and Stratovarius. We became friends when Jens was playing in the solo band of Timo Kotipelto when they joined Edguy for a tour of South America some years ago. We got shitfaced on several occasions and Jens always captured any possible embarrassment with his Powershot G5. He's a genius on his instrument -and beyond- and the stuff he played for me sounds amazing. A lot of people can shred and play fast, but unlike most of them every note that Jens plays is tasteful and exactly where it belongs. I don't know if he is the fastest keyboarder in the world, but I'd like to think so, at least I have never heard a faster one. You gotta check it out..."

RazielSR wrote:What a wonderful choice, with Jens and Allen, for me: sold.

icecab21 wrote:this is about friends and music, not about who is "lucky"

emperor_black wrote:Congratulations? did he win the lottery or something?

Sammet is the lucky one for having Jens in the new Avantasia

is to sell albums

icecab21 wrote:

is to sell albums

As supposed to the albums made with the intention of not selling copies?

And the main thing in Avantasia, apart of creating good music, is to sell album

Who said that?

And the main thing in Avantasia, apart of creating good music, is to sell albums

icecab21 wrote:i did not say that you said that, i said all albums are made to sell copies.

icecab21 wrote:All albums are a feature of trade, sometimes its music for time sometimes is music for money, and sometimes it’s a combination of features in the trade. all music is in this way sold to oneself or to others

HinatAArcticA wrote:Wha... the same topic?
Close one D:
Why 2?

icecab21 wrote:Money is neutral, really not sure why people bring it up like its some big thing if people want to trade one thing for another with another person. I think it’s the ends that count the most and how the money gets used and who the money flows to. I’m sure people would be just fine with getting the desired good or service rather than the neutral money, but the money allows for a person tout the trade into true goals. Money is also, one of the least concerns in some projects. The social gain or self satisfaction from making the music can also be considered for money with money being not legal tender, but a reward for an action. I think the bands and guys show they are not all about money by touring in places that don't maximize profits. These guys can put concerts on for thousands yet they choose to give concerts in places where they can only get a few fans. I think that shows the dedication to music that they have. There is the hope that they break through when they tour, but that they take the risk is a sign that they won't just take the easy way out and work in the most profitable of conditions.