Heading for Tomorrow

Heading for Tomorrow is the memorable debut of GAMMA RAY, the new band that Kai Hansen — known as a founder of Helloween — launched after leaving that band. Combining racing riffs, thick choruses and narrative melody, it draws power metal’s elation on a large scale. The high tones of Ralf Scheepers, then on vocals, give the songs a dramatic height. Racing numbers and epic-minded grand songs coexist, and it is a record that powerfully raised a new narrative quality for German metal. The songwriting Hansen cultivated in Helloween and his drive toward freer expression breathe throughout. The clear melody, valiant construction and elation-filled playing clearly show the direction of GAMMA RAY to come. An important starting point in the history of German power metal, it is a powerful record that loudly announces Hansen’s new departure.