It is notable as Dirk Schlächter makes his first appearance as a full member of the band. He would go on to appear on every Gamma Ray record to date. Also making his first appearance with the band was Uli Kusch, who would later go on to Helloween, and later will form Masterplan with former Helloween member Roland Grapow.
The Japanese version only has four tracks, leaving off "Who Do You Think You Are?". It also has a blue background rather than a black background on the cover, as well as a full-color figure instead of the yellow shadow pictured. "Sail On", "Mr. Outlaw", and "Lonesome Stranger" are bonus tracks on the 2003 remaster of Heading for Tomorrow, while "Who Do You Think You Are?" is a bonus track on the 2003 remaster of Sigh No More.
The Japanese version of the EP contains the same version of "Heaven Can Wait" as the Heading for Tomorrow album. The European EP contains the so-called "band version" of the song, i.e. with Dirk Schlächter on guitar and Uli Kusch on drums. The "band version" can also be found on the Who Do You Think You Are EP.
Track listing
"Heaven Can Wait" – 4:28 - European version only; the original recording of the song appears on the Japanese EP.
"Who Do You Think You Are?" – 5:07 - European version only
The Dark Ride is the ninth studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 2000. The album's style was quite different from Better Than Raw as it had a much darker sound, drop-tuned guitars, and gruffer vocals. The album was produced by Roy Z and Charlie Bauerfeind. It is the last studio album to feature Master of the Rings-era lineup with the dismissal of guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch after completion of the supporting tour for the album. They went on to form the band Masterplan.
Better Than Raw is the eighth studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1998. The album spawned the singles "I Can" and "Hey Lord!".
Kai Michael Hansen is a German musician who is the founder, lead guitarist and vocalist of power metal band Gamma Ray. He is also one of the co-founders of another power metal band Helloween, which he was a part of from 1983 to 1989 and rejoined in 2016. He is a prominent figure in power metal and has sold millions of albums worldwide. He is regarded as "the godfather of power metal", having founded two seminal bands in the genre. In 2011, he joined the band Unisonic featuring former Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske. Hansen and Kiske reunited with Helloween in 2017 for a world tour with all current members, celebrating the 30-year anniversary of release of the albums Keeper of the Seven Keys Parts I and II.
Gamma Ray is a German power metal band from Hamburg, founded and fronted by Kai Hansen after his departure from power metal band Helloween, in 1989. He is the band's lead vocalist, guitarist and chief songwriter. Between 1990 and 2014, Gamma Ray recorded eleven studio albums.
The Forgotten Tales is the first compilation album by German power metal band Blind Guardian. It was published in 1996. The cover artwork was created by Andreas Marschall. "'The Forgotten Tales'" contains several cover versions of popular songs, including "Mr. Sandman", "Surfin' U.S.A.", and "Spread Your Wings" as well as alternate versions of the band's previous works. Remastered and re-released on 15 June 2007, with bonus tracks and videos.
Skeletons in the Closet is a live album from the German power metal band Gamma Ray, released in 2003. It mostly featured songs that the band had never played live before. The setlist was voted by fans on the band's official website.
Iron Savior is the debut studio album by the German power metal band Iron Savior. It was released in 1997 on Noise Records. It is the only album to feature former Blind Guardian drummer Thomen Stauch.
Paragon is a German heavy metal band from Hamburg.
Power Plant is the sixth full-length album from the German power metal band, Gamma Ray. The album was initially released in 1999, but was re-released along with most of the band's past catalogue in 2002 with bonus tracks and new covers. This album has a tight focus on the power metal genre.
Master of the Rings is the sixth studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1994. It is the first to feature new members Andi Deris and Uli Kusch.
Aeronautics is the second album by the German power metal band Masterplan. It's the first album to feature playing and songwriting by members Axel Mackenrott (keyboards) and Iron Savior bassist Jan S. Eckert, who both joined the band shortly after the recordings of the debut album.
Somewhere Out in Space is an album by German power metal band, Gamma Ray. It was released on 25 August 1997 and is the band's fifth studio album. Continuing in the tradition of the previous four albums, it contained yet another different lineup, but would also be the first album to feature the band's longest standing lineup. The album featured Dirk Schlächter on bass for the first time since his guest appearance on Heading for Tomorrow, Henjo Richter on guitar and Dan Zimmermann on drums.
Land of the Free is the fourth studio album by German power metal band Gamma Ray, released in 1995. It is considered a concept album, telling a story of rebellion of Good against Evil. Continuing a trend that would conclude with the band's fifth studio release, the lineup for the album was different from the previous one, as Land of the Free was the first Gamma Ray album to be released since the departure of Ralf Scheepers, leaving guitarist and founder Kai Hansen to take up lead vocals. While not his first stint as a vocalist, it would be the first time he had performed lead vocals exclusively in 8 years.
Heading for Tomorrow is the first studio album released by German metal band Gamma Ray on 26 February 1990 by Noise Records. In 2002 it was re-released with a different cover as part of the Ultimate Collection box-set. This re-released version of the album has also been released separately from the box-set.
Sigh No More is the second studio album released by German power metal band, Gamma Ray in 1991 by Noise Records. Beginning a trend that would continue until their fifth studio release, the band's lineup changed from the previous album, with Uli Kusch replacing Mathias Burchardt on drums and Dirk Schlächter officially joining the band on guitars.
Dirk Schlächter is the bassist of the power metal band Gamma Ray.
Mr Ego (Take Me Down) is the second EP by German power metal band Helloween. It contains the song of the same name, taken from the album Master of the Rings. The EP is "dedicated" to then-former Helloween singer Michael Kiske.
"Mr. Torture" is a song and single made by German power metal band Helloween. This single is similar to the "If I Could Fly" single with the addition of "Mr. Torture" as the first track. Like many others of the band's lyrics, this song is rather humorous and not to be taken seriously. It is about Mr. Torture giving women sexual pleasure by practising BDSM.
Piet Sielck is a German guitarist, singer and record producer. He is the frontman of the power metal band Iron Savior as well as owner of the studio Powerhouse in Hamburg.
Heading for the East was recorded in 1990 by the German power metal band Gamma Ray following the release of their album Heading for Tomorrow.
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