Edguy

Edguy was founded in 1992{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000177591 | title=Edguy Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | website=AllMusic | access-date=23 January 2024 | archive-date=23 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123020121/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000177591 | url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web|author=Metal Revolution|url=http://www.metalrevolution.net/entrevistas/EdguyI.htm|title=Edguy Interview|date=24 October 2006|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402232853/http://www.metalrevolution.net/entrevistas/EdguyI.htm|url-status=live}}

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).{{cite web|author=Tartarean Desire|url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/edguy.html|title=Edguy Interview|date=10 March 2004|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707035920/http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/edguy.html|url-status=usurped}} 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.{{cite web|author=Metal-Rules|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/avantasia.htm|title=AVANTASIA Interview With Tobias Sammet|year=2002|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026001105/http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/avantasia.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Metal Reviews|url=http://www.metalreviews.com/interviews/edguy/edguy260200.htm|title=Edguy Interview|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=1 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401043939/http://www.metalreviews.com/interviews/edguy/edguy260200.htm|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|author=Metal-Rules|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/Edguy.htm|title=EDGUY Interview With Jens Ludwig|date=4 February 2002|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026001158/http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/Edguy.htm|url-status=live}} Three shows were recorded in Europe and served as the basis for Edguy's first live album, Burning Down the Opera – Live.{{cite web|author=Blabbermouth |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=10603 |title=EDGUY Guitarist Talks About Upcoming Live Album |date=17 March 2003 |access-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040105170547/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=10603 |archive-date=5 January 2004 }}

By this point, the band's contract with AFM had expired, leading them to sign with Nuclear Blast in late 2003.{{cite web|author=Blabbermouth |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=15776 |title=EDGUY Signs With Nuclear Blast Records |date=7 October 2003 |access-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040119032608/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=15776 |archive-date=19 January 2004 }}

File:Edguy Gods.jpg

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.{{cite web| author=Rock United| url=http://www.rockunited.com/edguyint2004.htm| title=Edguy Interview 2004| year=2004| access-date=4 June 2011| archive-date=1 April 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401144717/http://www.rockunited.com/edguyint2004.htm| url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|author=Bravewords|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/92302|title=EDGUY To Release Tinnitus Sanctus In November|date=27 June 2008|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=10 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010001039/http://www.bravewords.com/news/92302|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Blabbermouth|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105501|title=EDGUY Films 'Ministry Of Saints' Video|date=24 September 2008|access-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227120641/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105501|archive-date=27 December 2008}} Following a contract renewal with Nuclear Blast in late 2008,{{cite web|author=Bravewords|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/96754|title=EDGUY Extend Nuclear Blast Contract; Brazilian Live DVD Part Of Deal|date=14 September 2008|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=10 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010001109/http://www.bravewords.com/news/96754|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|author=Live Metal|url=http://www.live-metal.net/interviews_edguy_jens_ludwig.html|title=Edguy: 'Holy ear damage'|date=14 April 2009|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=27 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727115713/http://www.live-metal.net/interviews_edguy_jens_ludwig.html|url-status=dead}} In 2010, the band supported Scorpions on the German dates of their farewell tour.{{cite web|author=Gemmus|url=http://www.gemmus.com/edguy-to-support-scorpions-in-germany|title=Edguy to support Scorpions in Germany|date=5 February 2010|access-date=4 June 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603101727/http://www.gemmus.com/edguy-to-support-scorpions-in-germany|archive-date=3 June 2011}}

Edguy released their ninth studio album, Age of the Joker, in August 2011.{{cite web|author=Hard Rock Hideout|url=http://hardrockhideout.com/2011/05/11/edguy-announce-new-album-age-of-the-joker|title=EDGUY Announce New Album, "Age Of The Joker"|date=11 May 2011|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=14 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614205842/http://hardrockhideout.com/2011/05/11/edguy-announce-new-album-age-of-the-joker/|url-status=live}} The band subsequently toured Europe and South America in support of the album, including dates with Slash{{cite web|author=Metal Underground|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=82249|title=Edguy Announces South American Tour Dates With Slash|date=4 July 2012|access-date=15 February 2013|archive-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021105642/http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=82249|url-status=live}} and Deep Purple,{{cite web|author=Nuclear Blast|url=http://www.nuclearblast.de/en/label/music/news/details/672333.edguy-special-guest-of-deep-purple.html|title=EDGUY – Special Guest of DEEP PURPLE!|date=23 January 2012|access-date=15 February 2013|archive-date=16 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416115238/http://www.nuclearblast.de/en/label/music/news/details/672333.edguy-special-guest-of-deep-purple.html|url-status=live}} as well as an appearance on the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise.{{cite web|author=Metal-Rules|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2012/01/12/edguy-and-sapiency-confirmed-for-70000tons-of-metal|title=EDGUY and SAPIENCY confirmed for 70000 TONS OF METAL|date=12 January 2012|access-date=15 February 2013|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925200252/http://www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2012/01/12/edguy-and-sapiency-confirmed-for-70000tons-of-metal/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|author=Power Metal.de|url=http://www.powermetal.de/content/artikel/show-AVANTASIA__Interview_mit_Tobias_Sammet,7919-1.html|title=AVANTASIA: Interview mit Tobias Sammet|date=13 February 2013|access-date=15 February 2013|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927214046/http://www.powermetal.de/content/artikel/show-AVANTASIA__Interview_mit_Tobias_Sammet,7919-1.html|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/edguy/posts/10152192644971718?stream_ref=10|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/7890846826/10152192644971718|archive-date=26 February 2022|url-access=limited|title=New Edguy Album "Space Police" Out on April 18th|publisher=Facebook|access-date=28 January 2014}}{{cbignore}}

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."{{cite web |last1=Sammet |first1=Tobias |title=Friends... |url=https://www.facebook.com/avantasia/photos/a.10151031238933889/10157605048843889/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/266872843888/10157605048843889 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|website=Avantasia's official Facebook page |publisher=Facebook |access-date=3 April 2020 |date=28 March 2020}}{{cbignore}}

== Musical style ==

File:Edguy-Kavarna2009-1.jpg 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:{{cite web|first=BearlySinister|title=Interview: Tobias Sammet from Edguy|url=http://new-transcendence.com/interview-tobias-sammet-edguy|work=New-Transcendence|access-date=3 April 2014|author=Tobias Sammet|date=31 March 2014|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407074028/http://new-transcendence.com/interview-tobias-sammet-edguy/|url-status=live}}

{{cquote|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...}}

;Current members

• Tobias Sammet – lead vocals, keyboards (1992–present), bass (1992–1998)
• Jens Ludwig – guitar, backing vocals (1992–present)
• Dirk Sauer – guitar, backing vocals (1992–present)
• Tobias Exxel – bass, backing vocals (1998–present)
• Felix Bohnke – drums (1998–present){{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.ee/bands/band.php?band_id=91&bandname=Edguy|title=Metal Storm|publisher=Metalstorm.ee|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-date=4 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104030949/http://metalstorm.ee/bands/band.php?band_id=91&bandname=Edguy|url-status=live}}

;Former members

• Dominik Storch – drums (1992–1998)
• Frank Lindenthal – drums (1998) (studio only)

;Timeline

{{#tag:timeline|

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• Burning Down the Opera (2003)
• Fucking with Fire – Live (2009)

• "La Marche Des Gendarmes" (2001)
• "Painting on the Wall" (2001)
• "Lavatory Love Machine" (2004)

• Evil Minded (1993)
• Children of Steel (1994)
• Savage Poetry (1995)

• Hall of Flames (2004)
• The Singles (2008)
• Monuments (2017)

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

• Superheroes (2005)
• Fucking With Fire – Live (2009)
• Monuments (2017)

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.edguy.net/ Edguy's official site]
• [https://www.nuclearblast.com/en/music/band/about/71003.edguy.html Edguy on Nuclear Blast]
• {{AllMusic}}

{{Edguy}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1992 establishments in Germany

Category:German musical quintets

Category:German power metal musical groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1992

Category:Nuclear Blast artists