 Style: Power / Speed Metal
Year of birth: 1989
Country: Germany
Views: 8354. Updated: 28 November, 2004 by Project Moderators
Biography of BandIn 1988/89, after 4 years in Helloween, the songwriter and guitarist Kai Hansen decided to leave the band. After some studio work with Blind Guardian, he decided to form he own project. Along with his long-time friend Ralf Scheepers (vocals - ex Tyran Pace) and Uwe Wessel (bass) and Mathias Burchard (drums), he formed Gamma Ray. They released in Feb. 19 '1990, the album "Heading for Tomorrow" with guest appearance of Piet Sielck and Dirk Schlдchter. In the fall of 1990 the EP "Heaven Can Wait" was released. Uli Kusch replaces Mathias on drums and Dirk Schlдchter is the second guitarist of the band. Gamma Ray's live performances in Japan were brilliant and they released the live video "Heading For The East" in that same year.
Gamma Ray starts in 1991 the recording at Karo Studios of their new album. On Sept. 23 the album "Sigh No More" was released. In October of that same year, they started a 50 dates worldwide tour. The third Gamma Ray's album "Insanity And Genius" was released on Sept. 28 of 1993, when the new band members Thomas Nack (Drums) and Jan Rubach (Bass) were introdudec, replacing Uli and Uwe due to personal problems.
In September, the band along with Rage, Helicon and Conception starts the tour "Melodic Metal Strikes Back". The double CD "Power Of Metal" and the Videos "Power of Metal" and "Lust for live" was released at Dec. '93. New band changes!! The singer Ralf Scheepers left the band and was replaced by Kai Hansen, hailed by his fans!! In 1995 the fourth album "Land Of The Free" was released. In the fall of the same year Gamma Ray starts on a successful European tour. In May of 1996 their live album "Alive '95" was released. Jan Jubach and Thomas Nack leave the band when Dirk Schlдchter decided to go back playing bass.
New members are introduced: Henjo Richter, guitars and Dan Zimmermann on drums. In February '97 Gamma Ray head into their studio in Hamburg once again to start recording their 5th studioalbum. In July of '97, Gamma Ray started an improvised tour in South America (Argentina and Brazil), for delight of their fans. In August '97 they released their album "Somewhere Out In Space". Now they released the masterpiece called "Powerplant", which is considered the best GR album for some fans! |
Members of Gamma Ray
Current Members:
Kai Hansen (Founder). In Band at: 1988 - . Role: Vocals, guitar
Side projects: ex-Helloween, ex-Iron Savior
Henjo Richter. In Band at: 1997 - . Role: Guitar, keyboards
Side projects: Avantasia
Dirk Schlächter. In Band at: 1988 - . Role: Bass
Dan Zimmermann. In Band at: 1997 - . Role: Drums
Side projects: Freedom Call, ex-Iron Savior
Past Members:
Ralf Scheepers. Period: 1988 - 1994. Role: Vocals
Side projects: Primal Fear, ex-Tyran' Pace
Mathias Burchardt. Period: 1988 - 1990. Role: Drums
Uli Kusch. Period: 1990 - 1993. Role: Drums
Side projects: Masterplan, Shock Machine, ex-Sinner (Ger) (guest), ex-Helloween, ex-Axe La Chapelle, ex-Holy Moses, ex-Mekong Delta
Thomas Nack. Period: 1993 - 1997. Role: Drums
Side projects: Iron Savior, Anesthesia (Ger)
Uwe Wessel. Period: 1988 - 1993. Role: Bass
Side projects: Gothic Fate, ex-Axe La Chapelle, ex-Paragon
Jan Rubach. Period: 1992 - 1996. Role: Bass
Side projects: Anesthesia (Ger)
J?rg Schr?r (Guest). Period: 2000 - 2000. Role: Bass
Side projects: Megace, Xandril, ex-Torment (Ger)
Hansi Kursch (Guest). Period: 1995 - 1995. Role: Vocals
Side projects: Blind Guardian, Demons & Wizards
Michael Kiske (Guest). Period: 1995 - 1995. Role: Vocals
Side projects: ex-Helloween
Tommy Newton (Victory) (Guest). Period: 1990 - 1990. Role: Guitars
Tammo Vollmers (Guest). Period: 1990 - 1990. Role: Drums
Mischa Gerlach (Guest). Period: 1990 - 1990. Role: Keyboards
Axel Mackenrott (Guest). Period: 2004 - 2004. Role: Keyboard
Side projects: Masterplan |
DiscographySingle: Valley of the Kings Studio: 1997-05-21. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar, Henjo Richter - guitar, keyboards, Dirk Schl?chter - bass, Dan Zimmermann - drums
Single: Space Eater (1989) Studio: Noise. Tracklist.
CD: Heading for Tomorrow (1989) Studio: Horus Sound Studio. Tracklist.
Lineup: Ralf Scheepers - vocals, Kai Hansen - guitar, Uwe Wessel - bass, Mathias Burchardt - drums, Dirk Schlachter (guest on track 5/6) - bass, Tommy Newton (guest on track 8) - guitar, Tammo Vollmers (guest on track 3) - drums, Mischa Gerlach (guest) - keyboard
Comment: Has been reissued as limited edition digipack in 2002 containing 3 additional
bonus tracks.
Single: Who Do You Think You Are? (1990) Studio: Noise Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen (guitars, vocals), Ralf Scheepers (lead vocals), Dirk Schl?chter (guitars), Uwe Wessel (bass guitar), Uli Kusch (drums)
Comment: Japan only release.
EP: Heaven Can Wait (1990) Studio: Noise Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: Ralf Scheepers - vocals, Kai Hansen - guitar, Dirk Schl?chter - guitar, Uwe Wessel - bass, Uli Kusch - drums
Comment: The Japanese version only has four tracks, leaving off "Who Do You Think You
Are?". It also has a blue background rather than a black background on the
cover, as well as a full-color figure instead of the yellow shadow pictured.
"Sail On", "Mr. Outlaw", and "Lonesome Stranger" are bonus tracks on the 2002
remaster of "Heading For Tomorrow", while "Who Do You Think You Are?" is a
bonus track on the 2002 remaster of "Sigh No More".
Single: The Spirit (1990) Studio: Noise. Tracklist.
Lineup: Ralf Scheepers - vocals, Kai Hansen - guitar, Dirk Schlachter - guitars, Uwe Wessel - bass, Uli Kusch - drums
CD: Sigh No More (1991) Studio: Karo Studios. Tracklist.
Lineup: Ralf Scheepers - vocals, Kai Hansen - guitar, Dirk Schl?chter - guitar, Uwe Wessel - bass, Uli Kusch - drums, Tommy Hansen - keyboards, Piet Sielck - keyboards
Comment: The original Japanese version contains the bonus track "Sail On" (live).
Reissued in 2002 as limited edition digipack including 3 bonus tracks.
Single: Future Madhouse (1993) Studio: Noise Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: Ralf Scheepers - vocals, Kai Hansen - guitar, Dirk Schl?chter - guitar, Jan Rubach - bass, Thomas Nack - drums
CD: Insanity and Genius (1993) Studio: Hansen Studios. Tracklist.
Lineup: Ralf Scheepers - vocals, Kai Hansen - guitar, Dirk Schlachter - guitar, Jan Rubach - bass, Thomas Nack - drums
Comment: "Heroes" is the bonus track of the Japanese release.
Reissued in 2002 as a limited edition digipack. Track # 12 is missing on the
reissue, therefore it contains 3 extra bonus tracks.
Single: Rebellion In Dreamland (1995) Studio: Noise Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar, Dirk Schl?chter - guitar, keyboards, Jan Rubach - bass, Thomas Nack - drums
Comment: Guest Musicians: Michael Kiske (Chorus on "Land Of The Free") Hansi K?rsh,
"Hucky" Hackmann - BackingVocals on Track 1& 2
"As Time Goes By" taken from the preproduction of "Sigh no More", '91.
CD: Land of the Free (1995) Studio: R.A.S.H. Studio Gelsenlirchen (drums), Hansen Studio. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar, Dirk Schlachter - guitar, Jan Rubach - bass, Thomas Nack - drums
Comment: The album has also been released as a double vinyl album containing the
Holocaust cover version "H.M. Mania" as a bonus track.
Reissued in 2002 as limited edition digipack containing 3 bonus tracks.
Hansi Kursch of Blind Guardian did guest vocals on this album,including a lead vocal part in "Farewell".
Michael Kiske of Helloween did all lead vocals on "Time To Break Free".
"Afterlife" is dedicated to Ingo Schwichtenberg.
Guest Musicians:
Chois sung by: Hansi K?rsch (on track 1, 7 & 9)
Hacky Hackmann (on all tracks)
Catharina Boutari (on track 1, 2, 4 & 11)
Axel Naschke (on track 2, 4, 6, 8 & 11)
Thomas Nack (on all tracks)
Kai Hansen (on track 2, 4, 6, 8 & 11)
Michael Kiske (on track 9)
Lead vocals on "Time to Break Free" by Michael Kiske
Live CD: Alive 95 (1995) Studio: Recorded during the Land of the Free tour. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar, Dirk Schlachter - guitar, Jan Rubach - bass, Thomas Nack - drums
Comment: Euro version has only one CD with "Lust For Life" not included.
The 2CD version has only been released in U.S.A.
EP: Silent Miracles (1996) Studio: Noise Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar, Dirk Schl?chter - guitar, keyboards, Jan Rubach - bass, Thomas Nack - drums
Comment: Tracks 1, 3 & 4: Mixed at Hansen Studio, Hamburg by Hansen & Schl?chter in
December 1995 and
January 1996
Track 2: Mixed at Horus Sound Studio, Hannover by Bauerfeind, Hansen &
Schl?chter
CD: Somewhere Out In Space (1997) Studio: Hansen Studio. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar, Henjo Richter - guitar, keyboards, Dirk Schlachter - bass, Dan Zimmermann - drums
Comment: "Return To Fantasy" was only available on the limited edition CD.
Reissued in 2002 as limited edition digipack containing 2 additional bonus tracks.
Compilation: The Karaoke Album (1997) Studio: Noise. Tracklist.
Comment: Released only in Japan.
Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Produced by Kai Hansen & Dirk Schl?chter
Tracks 6, 10 Produced by Kai Hansen
Tracks 7, 8, 9 Produced by Kai Hansen, Dirk Schl?chter & Charlie Bauerfind
Single: It's a Sin (1999) Studio: Noise. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar, Henjo Richter - guitar, keyboards, Dirk Schlachter - bass, Dan Zimmermann - drums
CD: Powerplant (1999) Studio: Hansen Studio. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar, Henjo Richter - guitar, keyboards, Dirk Schlachter - bass, Dan Zimmermann - drums
Comment: The limited edition CD came in a longform digipack.
Reissued in 2002 as limited edition digipack containing 3 additional bonus tracks.
Compilation: Blast From The Past (2000) Studio: Hansen Studio. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen guitars, lead vocals, Dirk Schl?chter -bass guitar, Henjo Richter - guitar, keyboards, Dan Zimmermann - drums
Comment: Additional vocals on "Land of the Free" by Michael Kiske
Bass guitar and drums on "The Silence" by Uwe Wessel & Mathias Burchadt.
13 re-recorded tracks and 7 remastered tracks.
The song 'Silence' has re-recorded vocals by Kai Hansen, but the music is the
same as on Heading for Tomorrow (aside from being remastered).
Single: Heaven or hell (2001) Studio: Victor / Sanctuary Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar, Henjo Richter - guitar, keyboards, Dirk Schl?chter - bass, Dan Zimmermann - drums
CD: No World Order (2001) Studio: Hansen Studio. Tracklist.
Live CD: Skeletons In The Closet (2003) Studio: Metal-Is. Tracklist.
Lineup: Kai Hansen - vocals, guitar, Henjo Richter - guitar, keyboards, Dirk Schlachter - bass, Dan Zimmermann - drums |
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