After Avantasia’s album in early 2008, Tobias Sammet returns with Edguy this time and with their brand new album. Sammet is live wire musician in the heavy metal scene and discography of our days, which is very important during the difficult times of copying and downloading.

I had been looking forward to the release of “Tinnitus Sanctus” and waiting to listen to the musical direction Tobias would follow this time. Would it be more power metal? Would it be more heavy rock? Would it be more “Avantasia”? This can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”. From the first listening “Tinnitus Sanctus” shows its more commercial, melodic and catchy formulas, totally straying from the sound of the superb “Hellfire Club” (that’s why you shouldn’t wait for such speed or in general a pure power metal album), while at the same time it senses relevant to the latest Avantasia album “The Scarecrow”.

The typical, orchestral Edguy choruses are here and thoroughly done while the songs are in general moving in a happy, heavy rock style. Exceptions are the three favorite of mine tracks, the amazing “Wake Up Dreaming Black” – typical Edguy-, the fantastic epic, mid-tempo “Dragonfly” which reminds me also the atmosphere of Avantasia’s “The Scarecrow”, and the catchy, sensible ballad “Thorn Without A Rose”. Needless to mention the powerful “Speedhoven” and the really good “929”.

I reckon that this is an album that needs the attention of the listener in order him to consolidate it. “Tinnitus Sanctus” is in all a really good album and much better in my opinion than Edguy’s previous cd “Rocket Ride”. It is a more “heavy rock” and less “power metal” album, but that doesn’t mean that quality and great songs aren’t present! Go for it!