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Kai Michael Hansen (born 17 January 1963) is a German musician who is the founder, lead guitarist and vocalist of
power metal
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...
band 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 nucleus, atomic nuclei. It consists of the shortest wavelength electromagnetic wav ...
. He is also one of the co-founders of metal band 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 W ...
, which he 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
Michael Kiske (born January 24, 1968) is a German singer and lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween. Kiske has released four solo albums, two albums with the hard rock band Unisonic, has participated on various metal and rock ...
. 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.
Early life
Kai Hansen was born inHamburg
Hamburg (, ; nds, label=Hamburg German, Low Saxon, Hamborg ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (german: Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg; nds, label=Low Saxon, Friee un Hansestadt Hamborg),. is the List of cities in Germany by popul ...
in 1963. At the age of ten, Kai got interested in music and started playing wash-drums. His parents however, didn't like the noise and bought him an acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a musical instrument in the string family. When a string is plucked its vibration is transmitted from the bridge, resonating throughout the top of the guitar. It is also transmitted to the side and back of the instrument, ...
instead. He took a six-months course in classical guitar and following it, formed his first band with his classmates after he bought an electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that requires external amplification in order to be heard at typical performance volumes, unlike a standard acoustic guitar (however combinations of the two - a semi-acoustic guitar and an electric acoustic gu ...
, a white Ibanez
is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, ...
Les Paul.
Career
Hansen's musical career started in 1978 in a band called Gentry, alongside Iron Savior's co-founder and producerPiet Sielck
Piet Sielck (born 14 November 1964) is a German power metal guitarist, vocalist and producer. He is member of the power/speed metal band Iron Savior as well as owner of the studio Powerhouse in Hamburg.
Early years
Born in Hamburg, Germany, ...
. In 1983, he and Michael Weikath
Michael Ingo Joachim "Weiki" Weikath (born 7 August 1962) is a German musician, best known as a founding member and one of the guitarists of pioneering power metal band Helloween.
Biography
Weikath was born in Hamburg and was musical from a ...
founded 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 W ...
, where he was guitarist and singer until Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske (born January 24, 1968) is a German singer and lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween. Kiske has released four solo albums, two albums with the hard rock band Unisonic, has participated on various metal and rock ...
took over the microphone for the albums '' Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I'' and '' Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II''. Hansen left the band due to the extensive touring in 1988–89 and went on to form his own power metal band 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 nucleus, atomic nuclei. It consists of the shortest wavelength electromagnetic wav ...
. Hansen also joined Iron Savior as guitarist in 1997, but quit after a few years to focus his efforts on Gamma Ray. He has now forged a very successful career with Gamma Ray, releasing several albums and playing sold-out tours across the globe.
Hansen participated in a large number of other projects. He appeared as a guest vocalist on Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in 1984 in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres.Follow the Blind'' and '' Tales from the Twilight World''. Around the same time, he and fellow Gamma Ray bandmate Dirk Schlächter collaborated on Angra's first full-length album '' Angels Cry'', both playing guitar solos in the song "Never Understand". He also collaborated on Angra's album '' Temple of Shadows'' released in 2004 doing vocals for the song "The Temple of Hate". With ANGRA He participated as a guest guitarist on Michael Kiske's debut solo album '' Instant Clarity''. Together with
During his earlier years Hansen's singing style was reminiscent of many
HammerFall
HammerFall is a Swedish power metal band from Gothenburg. The band was formed in 1993 by ex- Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak.
History
Early days (1993–1996)
HammerFall was formed when rhythm guitarist Oscar Dronjak quit Cere ...
he recorded a cover version of Helloween's " I Want Out".
Hansen played the role of Regrin the dwarf in Avantasia
Avantasia is a German supergroup metal opera project created by Tobias Sammet, vocalist of the band Edguy. It has been characterized as a rock opera, as it features the contributions of various vocalists and musicians and it consists of conce ...
's Metal Opera albums by Tobias Sammet. Later he was featured in the album ''The Scarecrow
A scarecrow is a decoy used to discourage birds from disturbing crops.
Scarecrow(s) or The Scarecrow(s) may also refer to:
Comics
* Scarecrow (DC Comics), a supervillain in the Batman series
* Scarecrow (Marvel Comics), a supervillain
* Straw Ma ...
'' playing guitar in the song "Shelter from the Rain". He was also one of the guest musicians in Avantasia's 2010 world tour, which have put him to play live together with fellow ex-bandmate Michael Kiske, after more than twenty years since he left Helloween. After this tour it was announced, via Michael Kiske's official website, that Hansen would join his new band Unisonic, as they "instantly felt the magic of Helloween years again and had a lot of fun together on and off stage".
In 2005, he toured with the young German power/Viking metal band Stormwarrior
Stormwarrior is a German power metal band that was formed in 1998 by vocalist and guitar player Lars Ramcke and drummer Andre Schumann, adding later in the same year guitarist Scott Bolter and bass player Tim Zienert. The members of Stormwarri ...
from his home town of Hamburg as lead singer, playing material from his classic Helloween debut album '' Walls of Jericho'' – the favorite album and greatest influence of Stormwarrior. "Stormwarrior featuring Kai Hansen" returned in 2007 to play at the Magic Circle Festival in Bad Arolsen
Bad Arolsen (, until 1997 Arolsen, ''Bad'' being the German name for ''Spa'') is a small town in northern Hesse, Germany, in Waldeck-Frankenberg district. From 1655 until 1918 it served as the residence town of the Princes of Waldeck-Pyrmont and ...
and at the Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air (, abbreviated as W:O:A) is a rock music, rock music festival, held annually since 1990 on the first weekend of August in the village of Wacken, Schleswig-Holstein, Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Almost all styles and su ...
Festival.
In 2008, Hansen played with Stormwarrior
Stormwarrior is a German power metal band that was formed in 1998 by vocalist and guitar player Lars Ramcke and drummer Andre Schumann, adding later in the same year guitarist Scott Bolter and bass player Tim Zienert. The members of Stormwarri ...
at Sweden Rock Festival
The Sweden Rock Festival is an annual rock/metal festival held in Sweden since 6 June 1992. While having a clear rock/metal focus, the festival is noted for its diversity across these genres, from southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet to dea ...
2008.
In 2011, Hansen joined the hard-rock band Unisonic, as second guitarist and reunited with old friend and ex-Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske (born January 24, 1968) is a German singer and lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween. Kiske has released four solo albums, two albums with the hard rock band Unisonic, has participated on various metal and rock ...
, who formed the band in 2009. The band released its debut album, '' Unisonic'' in 2012 and embarked on its first world tour. Hansen stated in an interview that despite being a member of Unisonic, he will not have less focus on Gamma Ray, and that the next Gamma Ray album should arrive in 2013. Unisonic's second album, '' Light Of Dawn'', was released in 2014 and a European and Japanese tour followed.
In 2015, following the Best of the Best Party Tour, Hansen hired Frank Beck as their second vocalist for the Gamma Ray.
In 2016, Hansen released his first solo album titled ''XXX – Three Decades in Metal''. The album was released via earMUSIC on September 16 of the same year.
In 2017 Kai Hansen played minitour - four shows in Slovakia and Czech republic with the band Ravenclaw, with special set for Ravenclaw 15-Years Anniversary - Ravenclaw feat. Kai Hansen.
On November 14, 2016, was announced the Pumpkins United World Tour - a concert tour of the German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
power metal
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...
band 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 W ...
. Former members Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske (born January 24, 1968) is a German singer and lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween. Kiske has released four solo albums, two albums with the hard rock band Unisonic, has participated on various metal and rock ...
and Kai Hansen joined the current members for this tour for 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Singing style
During his earlier years Hansen's singing style was reminiscent of many thrash metal
Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...
vocalists. Rather than using a smooth and clear style (like his successor Kiske) Hansen sang with a raspy sound, interluded by high-pitched screams for dramatic effect. Kiske was brought in as a singer, originally because Hansen had trouble singing and playing the guitar simultaneously, though later in his career he seems to have overcome these problems.
Beginning from 1995 onward, Hansen has provided the vocals for his current band 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 nucleus, atomic nuclei. It consists of the shortest wavelength electromagnetic wav ...
. Around that time, Hansen's vocal style became more melodic and slightly clearer, more in the traditional power metal
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...
sense, while still retaining the slight nasal tone and rasp of his early years.
Equipment
For almost 20 years, Hansen has playedESP Guitars
is a Japanese guitar manufacturer, primarily focused on the production of electric guitars and basses. They are based in both Tokyo and Los Angeles, with distinct product lines for each market. ESP Company manufactures instruments under severa ...
. He first started using them during his days with 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 W ...
after hearing testimonials of ESP from artists such as George Lynch and Kirk Hammett
Kirk Lee Hammett (born November 18, 1962) is an American musician who has been the lead guitarist and a contributing songwriter for heavy metal band Metallica since 1983. Before joining Metallica, he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, ...
of Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instru ...
. Before Helloween, he had owned a white Ibanez
is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, ...
guitar, and a Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul is a solid body electric guitar that was first sold by the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1952. The guitar was designed by factory manager John Huis and his team with input from and endorsement by guitarist Les Paul. Its typica ...
, then saved up for a Marshall amplifier by delivering newspapers. His main ESPs are red and pink ESP Custom guitars based on Jackson's Randy Rhoads
Randall William Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) was an American guitarist. He was the co-founder and original guitarist of the heavy metal band Quiet Riot, and the guitarist and co-songwriter for Ozzy Osbourne's first two solo a ...
model and two custom V models based on the classic Gibson Flying V shape.
During the early 1990s, Hansen had used Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, colloquially known as the Strat, is a model of electric guitar designed from 1952 into 1954 by Leo Fender, Bill Carson, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares. The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has continuously ...
models. On his autobiography on the Gamma Ray website, he claims his first electric guitar was a white Ibanez Les Paul copy On the recent tour with Gamma Ray he has been seen using a Korina Epiphone flying V with EMG pickups.
Hansen has used, and still uses, Engl amplifiers since the recording sessions of '' Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II''.
Discography
;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 W ...
*''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 W ...
'' (1985) - EP
*'' Walls of Jericho'' (1985)
*''Judas'' (1986) - Single
*''Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1
''Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I'' is the second studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1987. It marks the first appearance of vocalist Michael Kiske, and is considered the album that created the genre of European-style p ...
'' (1987)
*'' Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2'' (1988)
*'' Live in the UK'' (1989) – Live album
*''Pumpkins United'' (2017) – Single
*''United Alive in Madrid
''United Alive in Madrid'' is the fourth live album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 2019. The recordings took place during the band's Pumpkins United World Tour (2017–2018), with former members Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen jo ...
'' (2019) - Live album
*''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 W ...
'' (2021)
;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 nucleus, atomic nuclei. It consists of the shortest wavelength electromagnetic wav ...
*''Heading for Tomorrow
''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 vers ...
'' (1990)
*'' Sigh No More'' (1991)
*''Insanity and Genius
''Insanity and Genius'' is the third studio album by Gamma Ray and final album with Ralf Scheepers on vocals.
Kai Hansen sings on the song "Heal Me", Dirk Schlächter sings on the song "Your Tørn Is Over". Continuing a trend that would conclud ...
'' (1993)
*''Land of the Free
Land of the Free may refer to:
Music Anthems
* "Land of the Free" (anthem), the national anthem of Belize by Selwyn Walford Young
* A phrase in "The Star-Spangled Banner", national anthem of the United States
** A nickname for the United States ...
'' (1995)
*''Alive '95
''Alive '95'' was the first live album by Kai Hansen's Gamma Ray. It was released in May 1996, following the live concerts in Milano, Paris, Madrid, Pamplona and Erlangen, during the band's "Men on a Tour" European tour.
Track listing
CD1
# "Lan ...
'' (1996) – Live album
*''Somewhere Out in Space
''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 lin ...
'' (1997)
*''The Karaoke Album'' (1997) – Karaoke
Karaoke (; ; , clipped compound of Japanese ''kara'' "empty" and ''ōkesutora'' "orchestra") is a type of interactive entertainment usually offered in clubs and bars, where people sing along to recorded music using a microphone. The music i ...
Compilation album
*''Power Plant
A power station, also referred to as a power plant and sometimes generating station or generating plant, is an industrial facility for the generation of electric power. Power stations are generally connected to an electrical grid.
Many p ...
(1999)
*'' Blast from the Past'' (2000) – "Best of" Compilation album with re-recorded songs
*''No World Order
''No World Order'' is the fourteenth studio album by Todd Rundgren (credited to TR-i). It was released on July 6, 1993, for the Philips CD-i, making it the first interactive album in history. Its music was heavily influenced by electronica and ...
'' (2001)
*'' Skeletons in the Closet'' (2003) – Live album
*'' Majestic'' (2005)
*'' Land of the Free II'' (2007)
*'' Hell yeah! – The Awesome Foursome – Live in Montreal'' (2008) - Live album
*''To the Metal!
''To the Metal!'' is the tenth full-length studio album by Gamma Ray. It was released on 29 January 2010. To promote the album, the band did a tour with Freedom Call and Secret Sphere. The album was recorded in Kai's own studio in Hamburg in autumn ...
'' (2010)
*''Skeletons & Majesties
''Skeletons & Majesties'' is an EP album of German power metal band 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 ...
'' (2011) – Compilation album
*''Skeletons & Majesties Live
''Skeletons & Majesties Live'' is the fourth live album of the metal band Gamma Ray. The album was recorded during Gamma Ray's 2011 concert in Pratteln (Switzerland) and contains acoustic renditions of the songs ''Rebellion in Dreamland'' and ''Se ...
'' (2012) – Live album
*''Empire of the Undead
''Empire of the Undead'' is the eleventh studio album by German power metal band Gamma Ray, released on 28 March 2014. It was their first album to feature new drummer Michael Ehré following Dan Zimmermann's departure in 2012.
Background
Kai Ha ...
'' (2014)
; Iron Savior
*'' Iron Savior'' (1997)
*'' Unification'' (1998)
*'' Interlude'' (1999) - EP
*''Dark Assault
''Dark Assault'' is the third studio album by the German power metal band Iron Savior. It continues the science fiction story that the band introduced on their debut album '' Iron Savior'' and continued on '' Unification'' and the '' Interlude'' ...
'' (2001)
; Unisonic
*'' Ignition'' (2012) - EP
*'' Unisonic'' (2012)
*'' For the Kingdom'' (2014) - EP
*'' Light of Dawn'' (2014)
*'' Live in Wacken'' (2017) - Live album
;Hansen & Friends
*''XXX – Three Decades in Metal'' (2016)
*''Thank You Wacken Live'' (2017) - Live album
Guest appearances
*With Rampage: **''Love Lights Up the Night'' – vocals on "Life" **Victims of Rock - vocals on "I Don't Wanna Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star" *WithBlind Guardian
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in 1984 in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres.Follow the Blind'' – vocals on "Valhalla", and guitar solo on "Hall of the King"
**'' Tales from the Twilight World'' – vocals on "Lost in the Twilight Hall," guitar solo on "The Last Candle"
**'' Somewhere Far Beyond'' – lead guitar on "The Quest for Tanelorn"
*With Angra:
**'' Angels Cry'' – guitar solo on "Never Understand"
**'' Temple of Shadows'' – vocals on "The Temple of Hate"
*With
Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske (born January 24, 1968) is a German singer and lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween. Kiske has released four solo albums, two albums with the hard rock band Unisonic, has participated on various metal and rock ...
:
**'' Instant Clarity'' – guitars on "Be True To Yourself", "The Calling", "New Horizons", "Thanx A Lot"
*With Primal Fear Primal Fear may refer to:
* Primal Fear (band)
Primal Fear is a German power metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers (vocals, ex-Gamma Ray) and Mat Sinner (bass and vocals, Sinner). Sinner and Scheepers formed the band after Scheepers was ...
:
**''Primal Fear Primal Fear may refer to:
* Primal Fear (band)
Primal Fear is a German power metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers (vocals, ex-Gamma Ray) and Mat Sinner (bass and vocals, Sinner). Sinner and Scheepers formed the band after Scheepers was ...
– guitar solo on "Formula One", "Dollars", "Speedking"
*With HammerFall
HammerFall is a Swedish power metal band from Gothenburg. The band was formed in 1993 by ex- Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak.
History
Early days (1993–1996)
HammerFall was formed when rhythm guitarist Oscar Dronjak quit Cere ...
:
**'' I Want Out EP'' – vocals on "I Want Out" and backing vocals on "Man on the Silver Mountain"
*With Tobias Sammet's Avantasia
Avantasia is a German supergroup metal opera project created by Tobias Sammet, vocalist of the band Edguy. It has been characterized as a rock opera, as it features the contributions of various vocalists and musicians and it consists of conce ...
:
**'' The Metal Opera'' – as "Regrin the Dwarf" he has vocal parts in "Inside" and "Sign of the Cross"
**'' The Metal Opera Part II'' – he reprises his role and has vocal parts in "The Seven Angels" and "Chalice of Agony"
**''The Scarecrow
A scarecrow is a decoy used to discourage birds from disturbing crops.
Scarecrow(s) or The Scarecrow(s) may also refer to:
Comics
* Scarecrow (DC Comics), a supervillain in the Batman series
* Scarecrow (Marvel Comics), a supervillain
* Straw Ma ...
'' – lead guitar on "Shelter from the Rain"
**'' The Flying Opera (live album)'' – vocals on "The Toy Master"
*With Heavenly:
**''Coming from the Sky
''Coming from the Sky'' is the first full-length album by the French power metal band Heavenly. It was released on 25 July 2000 by Noise Records.
Track listing
Personnel Band members
* Benjamin Sotto – vocals
*Maxence Pilo – drums
*Chr ...
'' – vocals on "Time machine"
*With Stormwarrior
Stormwarrior is a German power metal band that was formed in 1998 by vocalist and guitar player Lars Ramcke and drummer Andre Schumann, adding later in the same year guitarist Scott Bolter and bass player Tim Zienert. The members of Stormwarri ...
:
**''Stormwarrior'' – vocals & guitar on "Chains of Slavery" and "Heavy Metal is the Law" and narration on "Iron Prayers"
**''Northern Rage'' – additional vocals on "Heroic Deathe" and guitar solo on "Welcome Thy Rite"
*With Headhunter:
**''Parody of Life'' – guest appearance on "Cursed"
*With Heavenwood:
**''Swallow'' – vocals & guitar on "Luna", and vocal on "Downcast"
*With Place Vendome:
**'' Close to the Sun'' – guitar solo on "Across The Times" and "Riding The Ghost"
*With Tragedian:
**''Unholy Divine'' – guest appearance on "Over The Edge", project / production consultant
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hansen, Kai 1963 births Gamma Ray (band) members German heavy metal guitarists German heavy metal singers German male guitarists German male singers English-language singers from Germany Helloween members Iron Savior members Living people Musicians from Hamburg Rhythm guitarists Unisonic (band) members