After leaving Helloween in 1989, the band he founded, guitarist Kai Hansen teamed up with ex Tyrant 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. Taken from the title of a song by "Birth Control", the band was named "Gamma Ray". 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 favorite with press and public alike, Hansen 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), Kai Hansen (lead guitar / vocals), Dirk Schlacter (guitar), Uwe 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. Next, in 1993, with Jan Rubach replacing Uwe Wessel at the bass guitar and Uli Kusch (moved to Helloween later) with Thomas Nack at the drums, they commenced a sequence of successes, by releasing "Insanity and genius". Two years later, they make their greatest hit, called "Land of the free" real. This album is considered to be the best of Gamma Ray. This album also includes the "Afterlife" track, which is dedicated to Ingo Schwichtenberg, and the "Time to break free" track, with Michael Kiske leading the vocals. In the same year, due to the unpredictable success of the "Land of the free" album, they tour Europe, and release "Alive 95". Now, in 1997, while replacing Thomas Nack with Dan Zimmermann (drums) and Jan Rubach (bass) with Henjo Richter (guitar), and with Dirk Schlachter playing bass again, they have released their other success, called "Somewhere out in space". This album includes the "Watcher in the sky" track, written by Kai Hansen and Piet Sielck (Blind Guardian producer), and performed by a new band named "Iron Savior". Zimmermann is also the drummer of "Iron Savior", since Thomen Stauch could not pull it through. Now, in early 1999, Gamma Ray have released their new album, called "Powerplant". Kai said that some songs can be a match to "Land of the free". Surprisingly enough, the band includes the last members, who claim to be doing great together. We may, at last, have a permanent band formation. It's millennium time and Gamma Ray send us to the past with a blast. The "Blast from the past" album is a collection of their best songs. The older ones are remixed, retouched and Ralf Scheepers' voice is replaced by Kai's where it would (Lust for life, Tribute to the past, ect). Looking ahead again, Gamma Ray defy the world order with their "No world order" album, which is in every aspect worthy of its place among and near "Land of the free" and "Somewhere out in space"! A production not to be missed for anything.