Genre(s):
Power/Speed Metal
Lyrical Theme(s):
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Origin:
Germany (Hamburg)
Formed In:
1989
Status:
Active
Current Line-Up:
Kai Hansen - Guitars (1989-), Vocals (1995-) (Unisonic, Avantasia (live), ex-Helloween, ex-Iron Savior)
Dirk Schlächter - Guitars, Keyboards (1990-1997), Bass (1997-) (ex-Freedom Call (live))
Dan Zimmermann - Drums (1997-) (Justice, ex-Freedom Call, ex-Iron Savior, ex-Lanzer)
Henjo Richter - Guitars, Keyboards (1997-) (ex-Rampage, ex-Avantasia, ex-Charon)
Former/Past Member(s):
Vocals:
Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, Tyran' Pace, F.B.I.) - (1989-1994)
Bass:
Jorg 'Tauchtnix' Schror (Megace, Xandril, Torment (Ger)) - (on tour 2000)
Jan Rubach (Anesthesia (Ger)) - (1992-1996)
Uwe Wessel (Gothic Fate, Axe La Chapelle, Paragon, Rad Kick) - (1989-1992)
Drums:
Thomas Nack (Iron Savior, Anesthesia (Ger)) - (1992-1996)
Uli Kusch (Masterplan, Shock Machine, Sinner (Ger), Helloween, Holy Moses, Mekong Delta, Roland Grapow, Beautiful Sin, Axe La Chapelle, Ride The Sky) - (1990-1992)
Mathias Burchardt - (1989-1990)
Guests:
Hansi Kursch - Vocals (1995) (Blind Guardian, Demons & Wizards)
Michael Kiske - Vocals (1995) (Helloween)
Tommy Newton - Guitars (1990) (Victory (Ger))
Tammo Vollmers - Drums (1990) (PRKLZ)
Mischa Gerlach - Keyboards (1990)
Jorn Ellerbrock - Live Keyboards (1990)
Axel Mackenrott - Keyboards (2004 live) (Masterplan, Beautiful Sin)
Mike Terrana - Drums (1998, for 3 shows incl. Wacken) (Savage Circus, Axel Rudi Pell, Rage (Ger), Empire (Ger), Roland Grapow, Squealer (Ger), Victor Smolski, Metalium (Ger), Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Kiko Loureiro, John West, Tony MacAlpine, Masterplan, Hanover Fist, Not Fragile, Emir Hot, Zillion (Ger), Artension, Iron Mask, Razorback, Tarja, Zillion (US))
Kasperi Heikkinen - Guitar (2006 live) (Guardians of Mankind, Merging Flare, Iconofear, Elenium (Fin), Amberian Dawn)
Eero Kaukomies - Live Keyboards (Guardians of Mankind, Freedom Call (Live), Ad Lunam)
Henning Basse - Vocals (2008, for 2 shows) (Metalium (Ger), Errantry, Brainstorm)
Nils Neumann - Keyboards (Freedom Call, PowerWorld)
Additional notes
Gamma Ray was founded by Kai Hansen after suddenly leaving Helloween in the late 1980s. Kai formed Gamma Ray along side Ralf Scheepers, a big Judas Priest fan from the band Tyran' Pace. The beginning of Gamma Ray was pretty much the continuation of classic Helloween material (Hansen was the founder of that band too). In 1994 Ralf left Gamma Ray as a result of living too far away from the base camp, so it was time for Kai to take over the singing for himself just like on the first Helloween album. Ralf later formed his own band with Mat Sinner, Primal Fear.
Kai Hansen has been guest musician on albums from Avantasia, Blind Guardian, Heavens Gate, Stormwarrior among others.
In 2006 Henjo Richter was injured in a fall and replaced on tour by Kasperi Heikkinen of the Finnish Gamma Ray tribute band Guardians of Mankind, whose keyboard player Eero Kaukomies was already part of the Gamma Ray touring line-up. Eero was also drafted in as a temporary live member of Freedom Call around the same time, whose ex-keyboard player Nils Neumann had also been a live member of Gamma Ray.
Henning Basse of Metalium filled in as vocalist on January 17th and 18th of 2008 when Kai Hansen was suffering from flu. Kai still performed in his role as guitarist.
Kai Hansen has been guest musician on albums from Avantasia, Blind Guardian, Heavens Gate, Stormwarrior among others.
In 2006 Henjo Richter was injured in a fall and replaced on tour by Kasperi Heikkinen of the Finnish Gamma Ray tribute band Guardians of Mankind, whose keyboard player Eero Kaukomies was already part of the Gamma Ray touring line-up. Eero was also drafted in as a temporary live member of Freedom Call around the same time, whose ex-keyboard player Nils Neumann had also been a live member of Gamma Ray.
Henning Basse of Metalium filled in as vocalist on January 17th and 18th of 2008 when Kai Hansen was suffering from flu. Kai still performed in his role as guitarist.
Discography:
Gamma Ray - Space Eater [single] - 1989
Gamma Ray - Heaven Can Wait/Mr.Outlaw [single] - 1989
Gamma Ray - Heading For Tomorrow [single] - 1989
Gamma Ray - Who Do You Think You Are? [single] - 1990
Gamma Ray - Heaven Can Wait [single] - 1990
Gamma Ray - Heading For Tomorrow [full-length] - 1990
Gamma Ray & Lisa Dominique - Gamma Ray/Lisa Dominique [split] - 1990
Gamma Ray - Heaven Can Wait [ep] - 1990
Gamma Ray - The Spirit [single] - 1991
Gamma Ray - Sigh No More (Promo) [single] - 1991
Gamma Ray - One with the World/Father and Son [single] - 1991
Gamma Ray - Sigh No More [full-length] - 1991
Gamma Ray - Insanity and Genius (Advance Copy) [single] - 1993
Gamma Ray & Helicon & Rage & Conception - Power Of Metal [split] - 1993
Gamma Ray - Future Madhouse [single] - 1993
Gamma Ray - Insanity And Genius [full-length] - 1993
Gamma Ray - Rebellion In Dreamland [single] - 1995
Gamma Ray - Land Of The Free [full-length] - 1995
Gamma Ray - Silent Miracles [ep] - 1996
Gamma Ray - Alive '95 [live] - 1996
Gamma Ray - Somewhere Out In Space (Promo) [single] - 1997
Gamma Ray - The Karaoke Album [best of/compilation] - 1997
Gamma Ray - Valley Of The Kings [single] - 1997
Gamma Ray - Somewhere Out In Space [full-length] - 1997
Gamma Ray - It's A Sin [single] - 1999
Gamma Ray - Power Plant [full-length] - 1999
Gamma Ray - Blast From The Past [best of/compilation] - 2000
Gamma Ray - No World Order (Promo) [ep] - 2001
Gamma Ray - Heaven Or Hell [single] - 2001
Gamma Ray - No World Order! [full-length] - 2001
Gamma Ray - The Ultimate Collection [boxed set] - 2002
Gamma Ray - Skeletons In The Closet [live] - 2003
Gamma Ray - Majestic [full-length] - 2005
Gamma Ray - Land Of The Free II [full-length] - 2007
Gamma Ray - Hell Yeah! The Awesome Foursome [live] - 2008
Gamma Ray - Hell Yeah!!! The Awesome Foursome [boxed set] - 2008
Gamma Ray - Wacken Open Air '09 [dvd] - 2009
Gamma Ray - To the Metal! [single] - 2010
Gamma Ray - To The Metal! [full-length] - 2010
Gamma Ray - Alright! 20 Years of Universe [best of/compilation] - 2010
Gamma Ray - Skeletons & Majesties [ep] - 2011
Gamma Ray - Skeletons And Majesties Live [live] - 2012
Gamma Ray - Master Of Confusion [ep] - 2013
Gamma Ray - Empire Of The Undead [full-length] - 2014
Gamma Ray - The Best (Of) [best of/compilation] - 2015
*****
Official Site:
Gamma Ray Homepage
Gamma Ray @ Myspace
Gamma Ray @ Youtube
