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Release Date: January, 29th 2010



To The Metal will be released via earMUSIC. EarMUSIC is a project of Edel.

The new Gamma Ray offering 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.



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



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.

1. Rise
2. Deadlands
3. Mother angel
4. No need to cry
5. Empathy
6. To the metal
7. All you need to know
8. Time to live
9. Shine forever
10. Breaking away

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.)

Arkash wrote:I dont see why so much people didnt like LOTFII, for me, it's an amazing album!!!!

Babylon wrote:

Arkash wrote:I dont see why so much people didnt like LOTFII, for me, it's an amazing album!!!!

I have to agree there! It's a great album. The only song I don't like is To Mother Earth, but everything else is just awesome.

Intiaani wrote:...
Once again, the album groups!

1. (The best albums) Heading for Tomorrow, Somewhere Out in Space, Power Plant, No World Order, Land of the Free II

2. (The great albums [average Gamma Ray]) Sigh No More, Land of the Free, Majestic

3. (An average album [Gamma Ray's worst]) Insanity & Genius

Ragehead91 wrote:How is Insanity & Genious bad? I think from all the 3 Scheepers it is the secund-best.

Intiaani wrote:
1. (The best albums) Heading for Tomorrow, Somewhere Out in Space, Power Plant, No World Order, Land of the Free II

Babylon wrote:

Intiaani wrote:
1. (The best albums) Heading for Tomorrow, Somewhere Out in Space, Power Plant, No World Order, Land of the Free II

Absolutely. A couple of days ago I listened to NWO in my car, caught in traffic for about half an hour, so I just turned up the volume and enjoyed it But I think Power Plant is my favorite GR album.

Intiaani wrote:

Ragehead91 wrote:How is Insanity & Genious bad? I think from all the 3 Scheepers it is the secund-best.

Ok, knew I should have put Sigh No More to the same group so that no-one would have said it's bad in my opinion. It's not. It's just the most distant album for me, and I've listened it way less than the other ones. It's a pretty quirky album with not that many good songs in my opinion. Basically I like the first three songs as any GR song and then Heal Me, and even that's a lot better on Blast from the Past. So my least favorite from Gamma Ray.

Ragehead91 wrote:

Intiaani wrote:

Ragehead91 wrote:How is Insanity & Genious bad? I think from all the 3 Scheepers it is the secund-best.

Ok, knew I should have put Sigh No More to the same group so that no-one would have said it's bad in my opinion. It's not. It's just the most distant album for me, and I've listened it way less than the other ones. It's a pretty quirky album with not that many good songs in my opinion. Basically I like the first three songs as any GR song and then Heal Me, and even that's a lot better on Blast from the Past. So my least favorite from Gamma Ray.

While I agree that the production is better on "Blast from the Past", the version still suck due to Kai's voice. He can't sing Scheepers songs. He also can't sing Kiske songs. Why does he keep on doing them anyway? Especially live his versions of the Kiske and Scheepers Songs are horrible.

Intiaani wrote:

Ragehead91 wrote:

Intiaani wrote:

Ragehead91 wrote:How is Insanity & Genious bad? I think from all the 3 Scheepers it is the secund-best.

Ok, knew I should have put Sigh No More to the same group so that no-one would have said it's bad in my opinion. It's not. It's just the most distant album for me, and I've listened it way less than the other ones. It's a pretty quirky album with not that many good songs in my opinion. Basically I like the first three songs as any GR song and then Heal Me, and even that's a lot better on Blast from the Past. So my least favorite from Gamma Ray.

While I agree that the production is better on "Blast from the Past", the version still suck due to Kai's voice. He can't sing Scheepers songs. He also can't sing Kiske songs. Why does he keep on doing them anyway? Especially live his versions of the Kiske and Scheepers Songs are horrible.

I like him singing Scheepers song more than I like Scheepers singing them actually. o.O I think the whole first CD - and the "bonus track" The Silence on the second - are better than the originals. \,,/

He's a poor singer, classically speaking, but just fits in exceptionally well!

Ragehead91 wrote:I don't care about that. Ralf is the better singer. Period.

Intiaani wrote: My ears say Kai is a better singer! Again, not classically speaking, but better sounding, something, dunno, more fitting, more interesting, unique. Splendid. Wonderful. The voice of Gamma Ray, as it should be.