The Scarecrow (story)
Encyclopedia
The Scarecrow is a story comprising three music albums by Tobias Sammet
's symphonic power metal project Avantasia
. The story started with the 2008 album
and is concluded by The Wicked Symphony
and Angel of Babylon
Tobias Sammet
Tobias Sammet is the vocalist and primary songwriter of the German Power metal band Edguy, as well as the creator of the metal opera Avantasia and a member of the metal project Final Chapter. He also made guest appearances on the Rob Rock album Holy Hell and the metal opera Aina...
's symphonic power metal project Avantasia
Avantasia
Avantasia is a heavy metal project created by Tobias Sammet, vocalist and frontman of the band Edguy. The project's title is a portmanteau of the words "avalon" and "fantasia" and describes "a world beyond human imagination"...
. The story started with the 2008 album
The Scarecrow (album)
-Personnel:* Tobias Sammet – Vocal, Bass guitar, Additional Keyboards* Sascha Paeth – Guitars,* Miro – Keyboards, Orchestration* Eric Singer – Drums-Guest vocalists:* Roy Khan * Jørn Lande...
and is concluded by The Wicked Symphony
The Wicked Symphony
-Track listing: -Personnel:* Tobias Sammet - Lead vocals, Bass guitar, Keyboards, Organ * Sascha Paeth - Guitars, Keyboards, Bass guitar Producer* Eric Singer - Drums * Miro - Keyboards, Orchestration...
and Angel of Babylon
Angel of Babylon
Angel of Babylon is the fifth full-length Avantasia album by German power metal vocalist Tobias Sammet, released on April 3, 2010 along with The Wicked Symphony...
Plot
The story behind the Scarecrow albums is largely open to interpretation. Sammet has stated "I don't wanna ruin the myth. It's not possible to tell the story like a fairytale. I can't go "once upon a time" because it's not as simple as that. You don't have to understand the story, you have to feel it." The booklet of 'The Scarecrow' provides an overview of the setting and protagonist, and an interview in the special edition of 'The Wicked Trilogy' details the characters portrayed by the guest musicians, and the rest is left for the listener to interpret.- "The Scarecrow is a tragic story of a lonesome creature, emotionally isolated from his environment and suffering from a distorted sensory perception. His feelings for the love of his life unrequited, he sets off on a journey exploring the left-hand pathLeft-Hand Path and Right-Hand PathThe terms Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path are a dichotomy between two opposing philosophies found in the Western Esoteric Tradition, which itself covers various groups involved in the occult and ceremonial magic. In some definitions, the Left-Hand Path is equated with malicious Black Magic and...
, striving for inner peace, sloughing his way to approval and eventually facing temptation at the inner depths of the human soul..." - 'The Scarecrow' booklet
Cast
- Tobias SammetTobias SammetTobias Sammet is the vocalist and primary songwriter of the German Power metal band Edguy, as well as the creator of the metal opera Avantasia and a member of the metal project Final Chapter. He also made guest appearances on the Rob Rock album Holy Hell and the metal opera Aina...
- The Scarecrow / The Protagonist - Roy KhanRoy KhanRoy Sætre Khantatat , is a Norwegian singer. Commonly known as Roy Khan or simply Khan, he is the former vocalist for the symphonic power metal band Kamelot. He co-wrote most of Kamelot's songs with the band's guitarist and founder Thomas Youngblood since he joined the band.-Personal life:Roy began...
- A psychiatrist treating the protagonist - Jørn LandeJørn LandeJørn Lande is a Norwegian hard rock and heavy metal singer who has sold over 2 million records worldwide. He is probably best known for being the lead singer of the power metal band Masterplan.-Biography:...
- A Mephistopheles figure, the embodiment of vanity and temptation - Amanda SomervilleAmanda SomervilleAmanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter and vocal coach.- Personal life :Somerville was born in Flushing, Michigan, and attended Flushing Senior High School and the University of Michigan in Flint, Michigan...
- The unrequited love of the protagonist - Bob CatleyBob CatleyFor the Australian politician, see Bob Catley Robert Adrian 'Bob' Catley is a British musician, perhaps best known as the lead singer of the rock band Magnum. He is also an accomplished solo artist.- Early years :...
- The protagonist's good conscience - Michael KiskeMichael KiskeMichael Kiske is a singer best known as the lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween, from 1986 to 1993. From 1996 up to 2009, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, while he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist...
- The mentor of the protagonist - Alice CooperAlice CooperAlice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
- A tycoon who flogs off art to the desperate - Oliver HartmannOliver HartmannOliver Hartmann is a German metal vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer who performed in various acts, either as guitarist, solo or choir singer...
- A man who introduces the protagonist to the dark side of life (listed as 'Fornication') - Russell AllenRussell AllenRussell Allen is the singer of the American progressive metal band Symphony X.-Biography:Before working with a rock band, he was a jouster at a Medieval Times Dinner Theater. He was introduced to the band Symphony X by former singer Rod Tyler...
- Inspiration - Ripper Owens - Fury
- Andre MatosAndré MatosAndré Coelho Matos born September 14, 1971 in São Paulo, Brazil. He is the oldest son of photographer Pedro Henrique Matos and Sonia Maria Coelho. André Matos was the former vocalist, pianist and composer for the power metal bands Viper, Angra and Shaaman. Since October 2006 Andre Matos has been...
- Acedia, irresponsibility against yourself - Klaus MeineKlaus MeineKlaus Meine is a German singer, best known as the lead vocalist and occasional rhythm guitarist of the heavy metal band Scorpions...
- A glorius future vision of the protagonist - Ralf Zdiarstek - The sheltering and healing aspect of fury
- Jon OlivaJon OlivaJohn Nicholas Oliva is best known simply as Jon Oliva and as founder of and lead vocalist for Savatage. He is the third of four children...
- A loony ghost who sold his soul for eternal wealth long ago - Cloudy Yang - A character in a side story ("In reality, there are millions of scarecrows out there" - Sammet)