AVANTASIA

In a recent interview with Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, AVANTASIA ringleader Tobias Sammet goes a bit more into detail about the songs on The Metal Opera, Part II and the making of the album:

“'No Return' is definite speed metal. It's easy-going, and not too long. This type of music – this type of riff – is in my veins. It's a strong and optimistic track. Some bad tongues will say the song is a rif-off of '80s Helloween, but I don't care. Helloween are a definite influence, and I just wanted to record a track in that style. 'Final Sacrifice' is very riffy. It represents a new vocal style for me, and allowed me to explore different sides of my voice. It's speedy in a very positive way; there's a lot of positive energy involved. It's what I call 'good aggression.' I don't need music to bring me down, I use music to bring me up. I don't understand those really negative bands; I guess I'm just lucky that I'm not as pissed off as those guys [laughs]! I just want to make people happy with my music, and that's what this concept of 'good aggression' tries to do. Everything and everyone worked out really well. There were no assholes [laughs]. Some people you had to motivate, like Henjo (Richter). You'd be ready to go and he'd have to finish a cigarette [laughs]. Or he would want to order pizza. Or he would go to the petrol station to grab a Coke. At one point I had to say, 'Henjo! Let's work!' He's one of my best friends, but you're either good friends with him or at war.”