Gamma Ray

After leaving Helloween in 1989, the band he founded, guitarist Kai Hansen teamed up with ex-Tyran Pace vocalist Ralf Scheepers. The intention was to record an album of already-composed material which had been deemed unsuitable for Hansen's previous band. Joining them for this proposed project were Uwe Wessel (bass), Mathias Burchardt (drums) and a host of guest musicians. Signing to Noise Records they entered the Horus Sound Studios in Germany with producer Tommy Newton. The resulting recordings were released under the Gamma Ray moniker as HEADING FOR TOMORROW in 1990. The album was an excellent blend of powerful melodic heavy metal with song structures reminiscent of Queen. Having proved a favourite with press and public alike, Hanson began to realize the group's potential and decided to form a working unit out of the musicians who had played on the project to tour in support of the album. The now fully assembled Gamma Ray consisted of Ralf Scheepers (vocals), Hansen (guitar/vocals), Dirk Schlacter (guiter), Wessel (bass) and Uli Kusch (drums). They toured extensively throughout Europe and Japan where they gained a substantial following, and, as a stop-gap between albums, released an EP of new material, HEAVEN CAN WAIT. Come the next album, SIGH NO MORE, the band were in fine form; extensive touring had disciplined them into a tight, cohesive unit. Though heavier than its predecessor the album boasted quality heavy metal with melody and power, serving as a more than worthy encore to their impressive debut.