Music Style Heavy Metal

Artist History 1988 - songwriter and guitarist Kai Hansen of HELLOWEEN leaves the band to form GAMMA RAY together with his long-time friends Dirk Schlächter and Ralf Scheepers (ex Tyran Pace). Original members include Uwe Wessel (bass) and Mathias Burchard (drums) 1989 - the band's first album release "Heading For Tomorrow" is available in the fall of that year and goes straight up the Top 20 in both Germany and Japan. To date "Heading ..." has sold more than 160.000 units worldwide. GAMMA RAY embarks on a worldwide tour. 1990 - "Heaven Can Wait" EP is released in the fall of that year. Uli Kusch replaces Mathias on drums. GAMMA RAY's live performances in Japan draw exceptional crowds, turning them into legends in their own time. This extraordinary reception is documented in the live video "Heading For The East" released that same year. 1991 - GAMMA RAY starts recording at Karo Studios with Tommy Newton (ex Victory). into the footsteps of ist predecessor, sells more than 160.000 copies worldwide, entering top charts positions, and hailed by the Japanese media and fans alike. 1991 October - GAMMA RAY starts on a 50 dates worldwide tour. 1992 - the band spends the year in preproduction and songwriting for their third release. 1993 - "Insanity And Genius" is released on September 28th. Simultaneous with the release, Kai introduces new band members Thomas Nack (replacing Uli) on drums, and Jan Rubach (replacing Uwe) on bass. In September, the band accompanied by RAGE, HELICON and CONCEPTION embarks on a "Melodic Metal Strikes Back" tour. The double CD "Power Of Metal" with live recordings from that tour is release at Christmas. 1994 - During spring '94, GAMMA RAY supports Manowar. Joey de Maio and Eric Adam's comment, "The best support act we ever had. " Following the Manowar dates, GAMMA RAY leaves for the Far East to play 6 shows. 1995 - the fourth album "Land Of The Free" is released - another milestone!!! For the first time in years Kai Hansen sings the lead vocals again, hailed by his fans. In no time at all the album is listed in the official German Media Control Charts. In the fall of the same year GAMMA RAY starts on a very successful European headlining tour, once again drawing large crowds and getting rave reviews by the press media. At the end of '95 GAMMA RAY goes back to the drawing board and starts recording "Silent Miracles", a single with great ballades containing remixes of some of the classics as well as previously unreleased material. 1996 May - GAMMA RAY'S live album "Alive '95" is released. Jan Jubach and Thomas Nack leave the band to be replaced by Henjo Richter, guitars and Dan Zimmermann on drums. Dirk Schlächter goes back to playing bass. 1997 - In February GAMMA RAY head into their studio in Hamburg once again to start recording their 5th studioalbum "Somewhere Out In Space". The new album is a concept album relating to the movie "2001 Space Odysee" and as always it will be a milestone in metal history.

Group Members Kai Hansen: Vocals & Guitars Dan Zimmermann: Drums Dirk Schlächter: Bass Henjo Richter: Guitars & Keyboards

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboards. Who needs more?

Albums Heading for Tomorrow, Sigh no More, Insanity & Genius, Lust for Live, Land of the Free, Silent Miracles, Alive ´95, Valley of the Kings, Somewhere out in Space, Powerplant.

Press Reviews This album reeks quality Power Metal. From the sumptuous quality of the sleeve presentation to the blinding production and typically unique indivdual performance from Kai Hansen, it´s clear that this is something special. However, it pales compared to previous Gamma Ray albums. A deeper, darker groove has been adopted and, while the songs are performed with the band´s usual consummate style, they sometimes lack that infectious quality that keeps you going back to an album time and time again. Mark Hoaksey/Rock Sound 5/99

Location Berlin - Germany

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).