Edguy

Edguy is a German power metal band from Fulda, formed in 1992 by school students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dirk Sauer and Dominik Storch. The line-up later changes as Dominik Storch leaves and Felix Bohnke joins on drums, while Tobias Exxel joins on bass, allowing Sammet to concentrate on vocals. The band remains active from 1992 to the present.

Early releases and record deals

The group begins by issuing demo tapes in 1994, then self-releases an unofficial debut album, Savage Poetry, in 1995 after being turned down by several record labels. In 1997 it signs to AFM Records and releases Kingdom of Madness. The following year, Vain Glory Opera appears with guest contributions from Timo Tolkki and Hansi Kürsch, helping the band reach a wider audience. Edguy later re-records Savage Poetry for a broader release.

Albums, singles and live releases

In 1999, the band releases Theater of Salvation, and Sammet also starts the Avantasia project that year. Mandrake follows in 2001 and includes the single “Painting on the Wall” and the promotional video “All the Clowns”. The album leads to the band’s first headlining tour, and recordings from that tour are later issued as the live album Burning Down the Opera – Live.

After the AFM contract ends, Edguy signs with Nuclear Blast in 2003. Releases on that label include the EP King of Fools in 2004, the album Hellfire Club and its single “Lavatory Love Machine”, the EP Superheroes with an accompanying DVD in 2005, and Rocket Ride in 2006. Later releases include Tinnitus Sanctus in 2008, the live DVD Fucking with Fire – Live in 2009, Age of the Joker in 2011 and Space Police: Defenders of the Crown in 2014.

Later activity

Edguy tours widely in Europe and South America around the Age of the Joker era, including appearances with artists such as Slash and Deep Purple and participation in the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise festival. The band also supports Scorpions on selected dates in 2010. In 2017 it issues the compilation and archive release Monuments, and in 2018 Kingdom of Madness is reissued as an anniversary edition. Tobias Sammet later says in 2020 that Edguy enters a hiatus while he focuses on Avantasia.