few souls brave enough to do so. No one - except the band members themselves, that is - ever expected the fledgling band to make it out of their hometown. In 1994, EDGUY’s Evil Minded and Children Of Steel cassette demos landed the band their first print review in Metal Hammer, and although no record contract instantly materialized as a result, it served to make EDGUY even more determined to prove themselves worthy of being signed. Their self-financed Savage Poetry CD finally landed them a deal with the relatively new AFM Records, and in January of 1997, EDGUY’s official debut album, Kingdom Of Madness, was released in Europe.

With no difficulty flexing their hard work ethic, EDGUY wanted to hit the studio once again less than two months after their debut release to work on their new material, but momentum was stunted after drummer Storch left the band for personal reasons. Ever resourceful, EDGUY hired their friend Frank Lindenthal to record the drum tracks. The recording sessions that ensued were also graced with the help of two recently-befriended important figures: Timo Tolkki of Stratovarius (who was quick to see the potential of the band and offered to mix their album in Finland) and Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian, who performed guest vocals on what would become Vain Glory Opera and gave the band some sage advice on how to arrange their big choruses.

Once EDGUY emerged from the studio, additional line-up changes followed. Drummer Felix Bohnke joined the band permanently and, at the recommendation of Timo Tolkki, Tobias relieved himself from his bass and keyboard duties to focus solely on singing. Long-time friend/bassist Tobias “Eggi” Exxel was invited into the ranks to make the quartet a quintet. This would be the line-up that would remain unchanged and the one that would benefit from all the days and nights of honest, hard work.

The release of 1998’s Vain Glory Opera thrust EDGUY onto the scene with full force. Saturating the metal press with entertaining interviews and positive reviews, EDGUY played the prestigious Wacken Open Air Festival and toured Europe for the first time. High on the laurels of invigoration, EDGUY entered the studio to record 1999’s Theater Of Salvation with their new line-up, which gave fans the live staple “Land Of The Miracle.” The results were spectacular. Theater Of Salvation marked the band’s first entry into the album charts ranking #50 in Sweden and #60 in their native Germany. Extensive touring with HammerFall and then Gamma Ray throughout Europe ensued, followed by a tour through France with Angra.

Using their down time to re-record their self-financed debut album, the slightly re-named The Savage Poetry landed on the #60 slot on the Swedish charts; #72 in Finland; and #79 in Germany. EDGUY continued to gather momentum as they played Germany’s Bang Your Head Festival and supported Iron Maiden during their European Metal 2000 tour, during which the band landed the title of being the first German band ever to play Israel, which they did proudly in front of 4,000 witnesses.

2001’s Mandrake showed no less promise for EDGUY’s rising star. With chart positions throughout Europe - #18 in Sweden; #19 in Germany; #47 in France; #58 in Switzerland – the band embarked on their first worldwide tour through 23 countries which kept them on the road for 18 months in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia. In a wonderful display of homeland support, 30,000 fans witnessed the band’s set at 2002’s Wacken Open Air that summer, in addition to treating North American fans to a now legendary sing-along set at the ProgPower III festival in Atlanta, Georgia. As a crowning achievement, EDGUY recorded their first official double-live album, Burning Down The Opera, on the European leg of the Mandrake World Tour - which shot to #57 on the German charts after its release in May 2003.

Signing a worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast later that year, 2004’s Hellfire Club was EDGUY’s first release on a bigger label, and what an impact that made! Self-produced, engineered by Sascha Paeth (Kamelot, Rhapsody, Angra) at Rhoen Records Studio with artwork by French artist JP Fournier (Immortal, Impaled Nazarene, Avantasia), and featuring a special appearance by the Babelsberg Film Orchestra, the boys from Germany finally landed their first Top 10 album, peaking at #6 in Sweden and charting in eight other countries. Their single, “King Of Fools” (though many consider the hilarious “Lavatory Love Machine” the unofficial single!), was on numerous singles charts and landed the band television appearances in Europe, South America, and Japan. The Worldwide Hellfire Tour featured more than 90 shows in Europe, Australia, Japan, North America, and included appearances at Germany’s Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park festivals. To top an already wildly successful year off, EDGUY closed the final night of 2004’s ProgPower V with an absolutely epic performance. It wasn’t long before the band was back in North America on their first proper tour with label mates HAMMERFALL in August 2005. Fans in Canada and the U.S. were treated to EDGUY’s unbridled talent & enthusiasm, their trademarked self-deprecating sense of humor, and the completely raw, infectious energy they poured into performing their sing-a-long classics, which - inevitably - spilled over into the audience and resulted in night after night of people forgetting all their earthly woes.

Hitting their stride in North America with the pride of a champion underdog and eager to keep the band’s collective engine idling, EDGUY released their six-track, 26-minute Superheroes EP and companion DVD in October 2005. With artwork by Axel Hermann (Iced Earth, Moonspell, Sodom) featuring superhero alter egos of each band member that would make Spawn drop his jaw and featuring golden guest vocals from Michael Kiske on the over-the-top “Judas At The Opera,” the title track catapulted into Sweden’s Top 10 Singles chart. The Superheroes DVD (which included interviews, a tour documentary, an incriminating photo gallery, and rare backstage material of the band’s on & off stage antics guaranteed to make you burst out in laughter!) debuted at #2 on the Swedish DVD chart. Both accomplishments knocked well-known pop acts out of the top slots. While EDGUY may not have saved Earth from impending nuclear doom with their music, they certainly created their own definition of what it means to be underground superheroes!

Having quickly become one of the scene’s most endearing & prolific bands, and with each release receiving more and more acclaim, Commander Sammet and Company have not given up on their fantastical quest for their own turbo-charged Ferrari to cruise around Hollywood in. Entering Gate Studios in Germany with favored producer Sascha Paeth to record Rocket Ride (which was also co-produced by the band), EDGUY emerged with a record that clearly illustrates why fans have rewarded the band with countless accolades. Once again showcasing artwork by Axel Hermann, Rocket Ride is a striking collection of the charismatic Sammet-led hook-line-and-sinker choruses, absolutely blinding twin guitar melodies by Ludwig and Sauer, and solid walls of anthemic four- and five-part vocal harmonies. “The Asylum” displays all the majesty of a Ronnie James Dio-inspired build-up and release; “Save Me” is a power ballad that recalls a heartfelt lament at summer’s end; “Trinidad” showcases a calypso beat that wouldn’t be out of place on a Disney soundtrack; and – as is the EDGUY way – after singing along to “Catch Of The Century,” be sure to check out Tobias’ manic rant at the end of the song for a good-natured laugh.

True to their legacy of escalading success, Rocket Ride has already entered the German national album chart at # 8; the Swedish Chart at #8; and #25 in Finland. Armed with an unbreakable spirit, an unbeatable tongue-in-cheek attitude, and truckloads of talent to back it up, it’s virtually impossible not to be swept up in the good cheer EDGUY are determined to spread. Similar to witnessing a majestic fireworks show, Rocket Ride will first mesmerize you, then bedazzle you, and at the end of the night, make you feel like you just participated in an amazing celebration of the human spirit that soars high above your teenaged heart’s wildest fantasies of happiness.

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