Editing Edguy (section)

=== Demos, AFM years (1992–2003) ===
Edguy was founded in 1992<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000177591 | title=Edguy Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | website=[[AllMusic]] | access-date=23 January 2024 | archive-date=23 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123020121/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000177591 | url-status=live }}</ref> by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch, and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate [[epithet]] for their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, ''Evil Minded'' and ''Children of Steel''. These tapes were sent to many record labels, all of whom rejected the band, believing they would be unsuccessful in the music business.<ref>{{cite web|author=Metal Revolution|url=http://www.metalrevolution.net/entrevistas/EdguyI.htm|title=Edguy Interview|date=24 October 2006|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402232853/http://www.metalrevolution.net/entrevistas/EdguyI.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Undeterred, they self-released their "unofficial" debut album, ''[[Savage Poetry]]'', in 1995. Shortly thereafter, they signed with [[AFM Records]], which offered to re-release ''Savage Poetry'' with more widespread distribution. The band, however, rejected this proposal in favor of recording a new album, ''[[Kingdom of Madness (Edguy album)|Kingdom of Madness]]'', which was released in 1997, although drummer Dominik Storch departed shortly after. In 1998, they released their second album, ''[[Vain Glory Opera]]'', with friend Frank Lindenthal filling in on drums. This album helped expose Edguy to a broader audience, partly due to guest appearances from [[Timo Tolkki]] ([[Stratovarius]]) and [[Hansi Kürsch]] ([[Blind Guardian]]).<ref>{{cite web|author=Tartarean Desire|url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/edguy.html|title=Edguy Interview|date=10 March 2004|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707035920/http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/edguy.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The band was later joined by new drummer [[Felix Bohnke]] and bassist [[Tobias Exxel|Tobias 'Eggi' Exxel]], allowing Tobias Sammet to focus solely on vocals (he had previously played bass while also handling vocal duties).

In 1999, ''[[Theater of Salvation]]'' was released. That same year, frontman Tobias Sammet conceived the idea for the [[Avantasia]] project, a metal opera featuring well-known vocalists and musicians from the rock and metal scene. While Tobias focused on Avantasia, the band took the opportunity to re-record ''Savage Poetry'' to make it widely available to newer fans, as the original had become a much sought-after rarity.<ref>{{cite web|author=Metal-Rules|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/avantasia.htm|title=AVANTASIA Interview With Tobias Sammet|year=2002|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026001105/http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/avantasia.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Metal Reviews|url=http://www.metalreviews.com/interviews/edguy/edguy260200.htm|title=Edguy Interview|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=1 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401043939/http://www.metalreviews.com/interviews/edguy/edguy260200.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the re-recording of ''[[Savage Poetry]]'', the band's fifth album, ''[[Mandrake (album)|Mandrake]]'', was released in 2001. The album was accompanied by their first promo video for the track "All the Clowns" and the [[Painting on the Wall]] single. The ''Mandrake'' album also led to the band's first headlining tour.<ref>{{cite web|author=Metal-Rules|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/Edguy.htm|title=EDGUY Interview With Jens Ludwig|date=4 February 2002|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026001158/http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/Edguy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Three shows were recorded in Europe and served as the basis for Edguy's first live album, ''[[Burning Down the Opera]] – Live''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Blabbermouth |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=10603 |title=EDGUY Guitarist Talks About Upcoming Live Album |date=17 March 2003 |access-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040105170547/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=10603 |archive-date=5 January 2004 }}</ref>

By this point, the band's contract with AFM had expired, leading them to sign with [[Nuclear Blast]] in late 2003.<ref>{{cite web|author=Blabbermouth |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=15776 |title=EDGUY Signs With Nuclear Blast Records |date=7 October 2003 |access-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040119032608/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=15776 |archive-date=19 January 2004 }}</ref>