12/08/2009 19:50

Gamma Ray

Gamma Ray: 'To the Metal'

The new Gamma Ray offering, 'To the Metal', is thoroughbred and classy, fast-paced and deep, and holds a few surprises in store which distinguish the band from the mass of acts who try their hand at similar styles and sounds. 'To the Metal' will be released via earMUSIC on January 29th 2010. EarMUSIC is a project of Edel.

The line-up consisting of Kai Hansen (vocals/guitar), Dirk Schlächter (bass), Henjo Richter (guitar) and Daniel Zimmermann (drums) recorded a total of twelve new songs at their own studio in Hamburg in autumn 2009. Ten of them will feature on the regular album release, and two additional bonus tracks can be heard on different editions of the album, the band's stylistic range including a full-throttle number such as 'Rise', the rhythmic and melodically diverse 'Time to Live', and the multilayered anthem 'All You Need to Know' (which has given rise to speculation about a spectacular guest singer), as well as the sensitive ballad 'No Need to Cry', composer/lyricist Dirk Schlächter's attempt to come to terms with the untimely death of his father. Of course, there's also the awesome title track – first introduced at the Wacken 2009 open-air and a number of festivals in Scandinavia and considered absolutely indispensible by the fans, which Gamma Ray recorded as a classic metal track in the midtempo range, making it a real anthem.

The atmospherically dense 'Empathy' sees Gamma Ray prove their amazing musical potential again, which keeps manifesting itself in exceptional and eminently interesting compositions. This song includes all the features of a diverse, exciting and multi-faceted number, in other words: Sweeping sounds, cool grooves, a progressive touch and then – almost as if from nowhere – a chorus which seriously bowls you over. Subsequently, the band soar up to an almost oriental-sounding solo part, changing key several times within the track.

The album will be available in four versions:
1) as a regular jewel case CD
2) as a limited edition featuring an additional DVD (including an exciting making-of)
3) as a red vinyl in gatefold packaging
4) as a collectors' edition featuring CD and 7” vinyl with 2 unreleased tracks, completely hand-signed.

CD:
01. Rise
02. Deadlands
03. Mother Angel
04. No Need to Cry
05. Empathy
06. To the Metal
07. All You Need to Know
08. Time to Live
09. Shine Forever
10. Breaking Away

7"
A: Wannabees (bonus)
B: To The Metal (demo version –bonus)

DVD:
60 minutes documentary film shot in HD featuring interviews, the album in the making, classic Gamma Ray songs live, the mixing, behind the scenes, songs work in progress.
Bonus material:
3 video clips (including 'To the metal')
Full unedited interview with Kai Hansen)
(total length 80 minutes approx.)

The elaborate cover was designed by Herve Monjeaud, so the visual side of the new album is perfectly covered. Gamma Ray will present all this and much more from 6th February 2010, precisely one week after the release of their latest album, as part of an extensive world tour. Freedom Call had just been confirmed as special guests of the “To The Metal” tour, with Secret Sphere as support act:

02/06 Hamburg (GER) Dock's
02/07 Vosselaar (B) Biebob
02/09 Bochum (GER) Zeche
02/10 Paris (FR) Le Trabendo
02/12 Navarra (ESP) Sala Totem
02/13 Madrid (ESP) La Riviera
02/14 Barcelona (ESP) Sala Apolo
02/16 Milano (IT) Magazzini Generali
02/19 Athens (GR) Fuzz Live Music Club
02/20 Thessaloniki (GR) Block 33
02/21 Sofia (BG) Blue Box Club
02/23 Belgrad (SER) SKC
02/24 Zagreb (HU) Boogaloo
02/26 Presov (SK) Sport Hall
02/27 Ziad Nad Hronom (SK) MSK Centrum
02/28 Bratislava (SK) PKO
03/12 Reichenbach (GER) H2O Halle
03/13 Memmingen (GER) Kaminwerk
03/14 Pratteln (CH) Z7
03/16 Saarbrücken (GER) Garage
03/18 Langen (GER) Stadthalle Langen
03/19 Lichtenfels (GER) Stadthalle Lichenfels
03/20 Prag (CZ) tba

(source: Gamma Ray / Edel)