''To the Metal!'' is the tenth full-length studio album by

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 ...

. It was released on 29 January 2010. To promote the album, the band did a tour with

Freedom Call Freedom Call is a German power metal band formed in 1998. The band tours regularly and the current line-up includes two original members including lead vocalist and songwriter, Chris Bay. Freedom Call has released 12 albums in total, nine ...

and

Secret Sphere Secret Sphere is an Italian symphonic power metal band from Alessandria, formed by guitarist Aldo Lonobile in July 1997. History Early Years (1997–2011) Guitarist Aldo Lonobile formed Secret Sphere in July 1997. Early on, the band was ...

. The album was recorded in Kai's own studio in Hamburg in autumn 2009. The band has recorded 12 songs. Ten of them were featured on the regular album release, while the other two were bonus tracks appearing on the different editions of the album. The band described some of the songs on the official website, revealing that there would be a full-throttle number called "Rise", a rhythmic and melodically diverse song called "Time To Live", and a multilayered anthem titled "All you need to know", featuring ex-

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 ...

frontman

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 ...

. Other songs mentioned are "No Need to Cry", a song written by

Dirk Schlächter Dirk Schlächter (born 15 February 1965, in Bad Nauheim, Germany) is the bassist of the power metal band Gamma Ray and Avalanch from 2018. History Dirk got in touch with music for the first time joining a music school at the age of 8. At the ag ...

about the death of his father, "To The Metal", a song they played on various festivals before the album release and the atmospheric and dense "Empathy". It is the last album featuring drummer

Dan Zimmermann Daniel Hans Erwin Zimmermann (born 30 October 1966 in Nürnberg, West Germany) is a retired heavy metal drummer. Dan is best known as having been the drummer of German power metal bands Gamma Ray and Freedom Call from 1997 to 2012. He was a fou ...

Track listing

Album versions

# Regular jewel case CD # Limited edition featuring an additional DVD (including the making-of) # Red vinyl in gatefold packaging # Collectors' edition featuring CD and 7" vinyl with 2 bonus tracks, completely hand-signed

Critical reception

The critical reception to this album has been mostly positive, with some critics praising the musicianship and the drumming in particular. [] Others have praised the band for their consistency and for remaining 'one of heavy metal's most unsung heroes'.

Personnel

* Kai Hansen - lead vocals, guitar * Henjo Richter - guitar, keyboards *

- bass, lead vocals (10) *

- drums Guest musician *

- lead vocals (2)

Technical personnel

* Dirk Schlächter, Kai Hansen — production and engineering * Hervé Monjeaud — cover painting

Charts

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:To The Metal 2010 albums Gamma Ray (band) albums Edel AG albums Albums produced by Kai Hansen