Metaloz: Hello Toby! Firstly a big congrats of the huge success of your new album "Hellfire Club". Great chart positions throughout Europe ! The band seems to be going from strength to strength in terms of growth and popularity throughout the world. The band must be very pleased with the chart success.

Tobias: Well, thanx first. Actually chart entries are just a good boost for the ego of a cocky asshole like me, haha... Seriously, we are happy about it as it opened a lot of new doors for us, TV-shows, daily news paper magazines reporting about us. But down the line, charts are just a brief reflection of what you sell in a certain week compared to others. Now, we did quite well on the charts, but what really counts is that the album is still selling very well everywhere, that's more important than just a high entry. It proves, that there's a lot of word of mouth between Metal fans and that they obviously like the album. A great European tour with a lot of fans coming to the shows was the best award, much better and more important than chart entries...

Metaloz: Your world tour for the new album "Hellfire Club" kicked off 21st Jan 04. How's the tour going and what kind of reception have you been getting?

Tobias: It's amazing. Unbelievable. We have more people than on the last tour,which already had been a great success and I think this will be one of the most successful Heavy Rock tours of the year. We have been to twelve countries so far I guess and it was so great everywhere. Some of the places had been sold out in advance and in Sweden we already had to confirm a return as there were fans not getting in anymore. Besides the great response from the fans I should say that we have a lot of fun on stage and I think - personally - that we have become more entertaining. And I assume the fans think so too, reactions are so great.

Metaloz: The style of metal Edguy play is not overly well known at present in Australia and we very rarely get quality world class melodic metal acts performing here. How would you describe Edguys music style to Australians on the verge of discovering it and tell all Australians why they need to come to the show.

Tobias: Why they need to come to the show? Cause I need a new car, man!!! Haha... Just kidding. They should come, because they get a full blast of entertainment. They will just have a great time. Not that kind of depressive stuff. They will just come in, have a beer and become part of an energetic experience, having a great, great time. Much better than doing anything else. That's a good reason to attend the shows I guess. As for the status of this kind of music in Australia: I mean, it is kind of underground music everywhere, but I think it is just because unfortunately the majority of people really think of something quite different when you mention the word "metal". Some think of noise, some of spandex and this typical eighties sound. I like that eighties sound and spandex too, but there is more to Edguy than that. I think the word "Metal" comes along with a lot of prejudice. I think we are a melodic band, playing handmade music with distorted guitars, don't give a shit about trends but still produce music on an up to date recording level. Whatever they call it, if you liked Van Halen, check us out, if you like Queen or Iron Maiden, check us out too. If you are into Slipknot or Britney Spears, well: Better don't check us out, haha.

Metaloz: What type of bands /artists have influenced Edguy?

Tobias: Well, me personally: Kiss, Van Halen, Queen, Dio, Maiden, AC/DC. All that traditional melodic or groovy traditional Rock and Metal stuff.

Metaloz: From what I've read the band seemed to really like Australia and had a great time last time you toured here. From being a virtually unknown band here on your last visit your popularity seems to have risen greatly downunder and there seems to have been many fans eagerly awaiting your return. What can we expect from the band this time round ? Will there be a mix of old and new material ? Any Avantasia material included also.

Tobias: We'll see. There will be old and new songs and maybe one Avantasia tune as well. However, it will be party and fun and entertainment. Nobody will be bored, that's what counts.

Metaloz: On your last visit you performed dates only in Sydney and Melbourne. Due to the great response and success of your last visit you've also included shows in Brisbane and possibly other states. You must be looking forward to performing in these different areas and getting your music out there.

Tobias: If I would be in charge I would take my suitcase and come over for three months, we'd go to Perth and Adelaide too. And all those places, where they have a little club and a power plug. I do not wanna kiss ass but I think Australia is one of the most impressing countries in the world. Last time was so great there, that I could imagine playing fifty dates Down Under. I am really excited about going to those places I haven't seen yet. And if you are true at heart as an entertainer, it is overwhelming to see all those happy faces. I mean, there aren't so many European bands touring down in Australia, but still there are Metal fans there. So that's why Rock and Metal fans are quite thankful over there. And for me there is nothing better than staring into all those happy faces in the audience. That was very special and magical last time. Well, and another good reason to go to Brisbane is, that I'm gonna visit a friend there, that's what I look forward to as well.

Metaloz: Prog/Power and various other melodic forms of Heavy Metal seem to be starting to gain a bit of momentum in Australia of late. There are more quality bands and releases emerging. I'm presuming it has just taken a little longer for the Euro style to get to us. What is the current European scene like and is it still strong and healthy?

Tobias: It's really hard to say for me. As far as I see, there are many fans and many bands. We are doing outstandingly well, I know a few others who do well too, but of course there are bands that aren't doing that well, that maybe deserve it too. I don't know, there is nothing that we could complain about as for Edguy's success. And I think fans of that kind of music can't really complain about a lack of bands either.

Metaloz: I know its hard for European artists to tour Australia being so far away and all but many European acts seem to be drawn to Australia and want to tour here. Why is it do you think Australia seems to be such an appealing country?

Tobias: Because of that hyperactive crocodile hunter and his TV show that promotes your country on this whole fucking planet, hahaha. Seriously, maybe because it's so far away and it's so special. Usually not many bands can go there, it's quite expensive to come over with all the gear and not many bands can afford or are willing to take that financial risk I guess as the country is so big but has quite a few people living there in relation to its size. That's what makes it really hard to tour there. But you always dream of what is not so easy to reach or achieve: And for a European band that might be a tour in Australia. Plus you got a great country, lots of sights. Sydney Opera house, Ayers rock, the hole in the ozone layer, hahaha...

Metaloz: What do the band plan to do between the Australian tour dates ? leisure activities and things to see etc

Tobias: Visiting a friend, leisure activities and things to see. Meeting that weird nuts crocodile hunter and get a photo with him. Steve whatever or what was his name again?! You know who I'm talking about, that guy who always finds the animal's shit first, then he takes the shit into his hands, smells it and assumes that it's shit from a 5 meter sweet water croco of 32 years and three months. Then he crawls through some bushes and names the crocodile "beautiful big lady" and catches it, before they turn off the camera and -I assume - then he pays the croc for acting, haha! Weird guy... I love him!

Metaloz: Thank heaps Tobi for answering these questions. All the best for the whole tour and we really look forward to the Australian leg and trust it will be a great success. Australia this will be an event not to be missed!!

Tobias: Thank you for your support. Believe me, we know why we do that whole thing: It was cool last time, it will be great this time. Australia rocks!