Felix Bohnke (born 16 February 1975) is a German drummer best known for his long‑term involvement with the power‑metal band Edguy and the metal opera project Avantasia.
Early life and education
Bohnke was born in Hünfeld, Hesse, West Germany. Details about his formal musical education are not extensively documented in reliable encyclopedic sources.
Music career
Edguy
Bohnke joined Edguy in 1998, replacing the band's previous drummer. Since then, he has performed on all of the group's studio releases, beginning with the album The Savage Poetry (2000) and continuing through subsequent records such as Mandrake (2001), Hellfire Club (2004), Rocket Ride (2006), Tinnitus Sanctus (2008), Age of the Joker (2011), Space Police: Defenders of the Crown (2014), and Monuments (2017). He is also a regular participant in the band's live performances and tours.
Avantasia
Bohnke contributed drums to several Avantasia albums, including The Scarecrow (2008), The Wicked Symphony (2010), Angel of Babylon (2010), and The Mystery of Time (2013). His involvement extends to live shows with the project, where he shares drumming duties with other musicians.
Other projects
In addition to his primary bands, Bohnke has performed as a session and live drummer for various German metal acts, though detailed records of these collaborations are limited in publicly available encyclopedic references.
Musical style and equipment
Bohnke’s drumming style is characterized by precise double‑kick patterns and a blend of melodic and heavy rhythms typical of European power metal. He is known to use drum kits from manufacturers such as Ludwig and has endorsed cymbal brands including Zildjian, though specific endorsement details are subject to change and not exhaustively catalogued in encyclopedic sources.
Personal life
Public information about Bohnke’s personal life, including family and non‑musical interests, is scarce, as he maintains a relatively private profile.
Discography (selected)
With Edguy
- The Savage Poetry (2000)
- Mandrake (2001)
- Hellfire Club (2004)
- Rocket Ride (2006)
- Tinnitus Sanctus (2008)
- Age of the Joker (2011)
- Space Police: Defenders of the Crown (2014)
- Monuments (2017)
With Avantasia
- The Scarecrow (2008)
- The Wicked Symphony (2010)
- Angel of Babylon (2010)
- The Mystery of Time (2013)
References
- Edguy official website and press releases.
- Avantasia album liner notes.
- Interviews with Felix Bohnke in music publications such as Metal Hammer and Rockhard.
External links
- Official Edguy page: edguy.net
- Avantasia official site: avantasia.org
