Heavens Gate was a German heavy metal band from

Wolfsburg Wolfsburg (; Eastphalian: ''Wulfsborg'') is the fifth largest city in the German state of Lower Saxony, located on the river Aller. It lies about east of Hanover and west of Berlin. Wolfsburg is famous as the location of Volkswagen AG's hea ...

, Germany. They started out as a band called Steeltower in 1982, releasing their first record ''Night of the Dog'' in 1984. Before signing with No Remorse records, they were known under the name of Carrion and several of their songs ended up re-worked on their debut album ''In Control''. They changed their name to Heavens Gate in 1987. Their first record as Heavens Gate was released in 1989. They were, together with German bands

Helloween Helloween is a German power metal band founded in 1984 in Hamburg by members of bands Iron Fist, Gentry, Second Hell and Powerfool. Its first lineup consisted of singer and guitarist Kai Hansen, bassist Markus Grosskopf, guitarist Michael Weik ...

Gamma Ray A gamma ray, also known as gamma radiation (symbol γ or \gamma), is a penetrating form of electromagnetic radiation arising from the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei. It consists of the shortest wavelength electromagnetic waves, typically ...

Grave Digger A gravedigger is a cemetery worker who is responsible for digging a grave prior to a funeral service. Description If the grave is in a cemetery on the property of a church or other religious organization (part of, or called, a churchyard), ...

, Running Wild, and Rage, the pioneers in German power metal, taking their influences mainly from Helloween as well as from

Judas Priest Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Despite an innovative and pioneering body of work in th ...

. Heavens Gate were taken under the wing of Frank Bornemann ( Eloy) and soon after releasing ''In Control'', they were embraced by the German metal audience and had an enthusiastic response in Japan. They also did a metal cover of "

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is a comedy song written by Monty Python member Eric Idle that was first featured in the Python film '' Life of Brian'' and has gone on to become a common singalong at public events such as football matc ...

" by

Monty Python Monty Python (also collectively known as the Pythons) were a British comedy troupe who created the sketch comedy television show '' Monty Python's Flying Circus'', which first aired on the BBC in 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four ...

, from the movie ''

The Life of Brian ''Monty Python's Life of Brian'' (also known as ''Life of Brian'') is a 1979 British comedy film starring and written by the comedy group Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin). It wa ...

'', for the ''Hell for Sale!'' album.

Members

Last known lineup

* Thomas Rettke – vocals (1982–1999) *

Sascha Paeth Sascha Paeth (born 9 September 1970 in Wolfsburg, West Germany) is a German guitarist, bassist, musical producer, and mixer known for working with heavy metal bands such as Avantasia, Edguy, Angra, Shaaman, Rhapsody of Fire, Kamelot, After For ...

– guitars (1987–1999) * Bonny Bilski – guitars (1987–1999) *

Robert Hunecke-Rizzo Robert Hunecke-Rizzo (17 June 1971 in Wolfsburg) is a German bassist, guitarist and drummer, known for his work with Heavens Gate, Luca Turilli, and Kamelot. He was one of the founding members of the supergroup Aina, which released the metal oper ...

– bass (1996–1999) * Thorsten Müller – drums (1982–1999)

Former members

* Ingo Millek – guitars (1982–1987) * Bernd Kaufholz – guitars (1987–1985) * Manni Jordan – bass (1987–1995)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Night of the Dog'' - 1984 (As Steeltower) * ''In Control'' – 1989 * ''

Livin' in Hysteria ''Livin' in Hysteria'' is the second album by Heavens Gate, released on April 2, 1991, by No Remorse Records and later reissued by SPV GmbH. Track listing Personnel ;Band members * Thomas Rettke – lead vocals, co-producer * Sascha Paeth � ...

'' – 1991 * ''Hell for Sale!'' – 1992 * ''Planet E.'' – 1996 * ''Menergy'' – 1999

Live albums

* ''Live for Sale!'' – 1993

EPs

* ''Open the Gate and Watch!'' – 1990 * ''More Hysteria'' – 1992 * ''In the Mood'' – 1997

Compilations

* ''Boxed'' – 1999 * ''Best for Sale!'' – 2015

References

External links

Heavens Gate @ Masters of Metal
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heavens Gate German power metal musical groups German heavy metal musical groups Musical groups established in 1982 Musical groups disestablished in 1999 Musical quintets 1982 establishments in Germany