| Gamma Ray (band) |
Article Index for Gamma Ray |
Website Links For Gamma Ray |
Information AboutGamma Ray (band) |
|
Gamma Ray is a Power Metal band from Germany , founded by former Helloween Guitarist , Singer and Songwriter Kai Hansen . (It is worth noting that Queens Of The Stone Age briefly went by the name Gamma Ray, even recording a few songs under that moniker, before changing it after learning that there was already a band with that name.) BIOGRAPHY In 1988 , after four years with Helloween , Guitarist and Songwriter Kai Hansen decided, for reasons that are still the subject of much debate, to leave the band. Hansen claimed that Helloween had become too big for him to handle, although the group's troubles with financical issues and the record company most likely played a part as well. He proceeded to do some studio work with Blind Guardian . Eventually, Hansen decided to form his own project with long-time friend Ralf Scheepers from Tyran Pace . This two-man project grew into a four-man band with the addition of Uwe Wessel ( Bass ) and Mathias Burchard ( Drums ). Thus was Gamma Ray born, bearing a sound understandably close to that of Hansen's former band, Helloween. The original line-up released the album '' Heading For Tomorrow '' in February of 1990 , and later that year the ''Heaven Can Wait EP'' with new guitarist Dirk Schlächter and new drummer Uli Kusch . 1991 saw the release of their second album, '' Sigh No More '', and in October a 50-date worldwide tour. The third album, '' on the Drums and Jan Rubach on Bass , replacing Uli and Uwe respectively. In September, Gamma Ray, along with Rage , Helicon and Conception embarked on the Melodic Metal Strikes Back tour. The tour contributed to the release of the double CD '' Power Of Metal '', and the videos '' Power Of Metal '' and '' Lust For Live '', in December. More changes in the lineup were to follow. As plans developed for the band's fourth album, Hansen and Schlächter were annoyed by the fact that Scheepers lived such a far way away from Hamburg . This meant that they could only do band rehearsals and such on weekends, and this put a major stopper on things. Since Scheepers had auditioned for the job as Vocalist for Judas Priest , and his chances at getting the spot were considered pretty good, Hansen asked him if he really felt that staying with Gamma Ray was the right thing to do. The two decided that it would be for the best if Scheepers left the band, and so, with no hard feelings on either side, Scheepers left Gamma Ray. Hansen then took on the guitar-vocals duties. In 1995 the fourth album, '' Land Of The Free '', the first one featuring Hansen on vocals, was released. Critics around the globe were ecstatic. The following tour, Men on a Tour, brought the recording and release of the live album '' Alive '95 '' in 1996 . Soon, both Hansen and Schlächter decided that yet another change was needed. Out went Jan Rubach and Thomas Nack (both leaving for the band they left earlier, '' Anesthesia ''), and in came new Drummer Dan Zimmerman , that's also the drummer of the band Freedom Call . Schlächter decided to drop the guitar and pick up the bass duties. Henjo Richter came in to fill the second guitar spot. The ultimate Gamma Ray, and still current, line-up was formed. Work started for the next full-length album, and 1997 saw the release of '' Somewhere Out In Space '', which started the band's fascination with space. After two years of touring came the album '' Powerplant '', which was a continuity to '' Somewhere Out In Space '''s lyrical approach, but a new direction musically. The album was highly acclaimed throughout the world. The time came for a "Best Of..." album, and Hansen decided to do things differently; the band went back to the studio to re-record old classics. '' Blast From The Past '' was the name chosen for the album. The band then proceeded to the recording of its next album, rumored to be classic-sounding like bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest , before taking a year off. After the break, where Hansen concentrated on his side project Iron Savior , the band was ready for the recording and release of the album '' No World Order! '', with a lot of heavy riffs like classic 80's bands, just as rumored. Yet again the album was highly praised. The No Order World Tour saw the band visiting dozens of countries throughtout Europe , and a few gigs in Japan . After resting from the tour, the band went on with the Skeletons in the Closet tour. The Skeletons tour saw the band performing songs that they never or rarely played live before. The setlist was voted by the fans on the band's website. Only a few shows were played but two of those were recorded for the live album '' Skeletons In The Closet '', their finest live album to date. Gamma Ray's latest studio album, " Majestic ", was released on September 23, 2005. Kai Hansen and Henjo Richter also had a participation in the Opera Metal Avantasia ., lead by Tobias Sammet , lead vocalist of Edguy A live DVD is to be recorded on May 6th, 2006 in Montreal, Quebec. LINEUP
FORMER MEMBERS
DISCOGRAPHY
EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|