Heaven Can Wait EP
Encyclopedia
Heaven Can Wait was an EP
released by German
power metal
band Gamma Ray
in 1990, following the release of their debut album Heading for Tomorrow
.
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 Schlachter on guitar and Uli Kusch on drums. The "band version" can also be found on the Who Do You Think You Are EP.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
released by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Gamma Ray
Gamma Ray (band)
Gamma Ray is a power metal band from Hamburg, northern Germany, founded and fronted by Kai Hansen after his departure from the German power metal Helloween. Hansen is the current lead vocalist, guitarist as well as the chief songwriter of Gamma Ray. The band is known as one of the most prominent...
in 1990, following the release of their debut album Heading for Tomorrow
Heading for Tomorrow
Heading for Tomorrow is the first studio album released by German power metal band, Gamma Ray on 19 February 1990 by Noise Records. In 2002 it was re-released with a different cover as part of the Ultimate Collection box-set...
.
It is notable as Dirk Schlächter
Dirk Schlächter
Dirk Schlächter is the bassist of the power metal band Gamma Ray.- History :Dirk got in touch with music for the first time joining a music school at the age of 8. At the age of 11 he got his first acoustic guitar followed by an electric guitar at the age of 15. At the age of 19 he turned to bass...
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
Uli Kusch
Ulrich Kusch, born 11 March 1967, is a heavy metal drummer. He is best known for playing with Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Masterplan. He is known for his technical style of playing, fast-paced speed metal-like rhythm and capable songwriting abilities.-Biography:...
, who would later go on to Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
, and later will form Masterplan with former Helloween member Roland Grapow
Roland Grapow
Roland Grapow, born 30 August 1959 in Hamburg, Germany is a professional guitarist and music producer. Roland is best known for his time in the power metal band Helloween, who he played with for 12 years after replacing founding member Kai Hansen...
.
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
Heading for Tomorrow
Heading for Tomorrow is the first studio album released by German power metal band, Gamma Ray on 19 February 1990 by Noise Records. In 2002 it was re-released with a different cover as part of the Ultimate Collection box-set...
, 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 Schlachter 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 (Re-recorded)" – 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
- "Sail On" – 4:25
- "Mr. Outlaw" – 4:09
- "Lonesome Stranger" – 4:57
Line-Up
- Lead Vocals: Ralf ScheepersRalf ScheepersRalf Scheepers is the current vocalist for German power metal outfit Primal Fear. He has a relatively high-pitched tenor-esque singing voice and sometimes uses a shriek reminiscent of Judas Priest's Rob Halford, although it is his baritone lows which give him a near 4 octave range in the modal...
- Guitars: Kai HansenKai HansenKai Michael Hansen is a power metal guitarist and vocalist.Hansen is the founder, lead guitarist, and vocalist of power metal band Gamma Ray, and the co-founder and former member of German metal band Helloween. He is a prominent figure in power metal, and has sold millions of albums worldwide...
- Guitars: Dirk SchlächterDirk SchlächterDirk Schlächter is the bassist of the power metal band Gamma Ray.- History :Dirk got in touch with music for the first time joining a music school at the age of 8. At the age of 11 he got his first acoustic guitar followed by an electric guitar at the age of 15. At the age of 19 he turned to bass...
- Bass: Uwe Wessel
- Drums: Uli KuschUli KuschUlrich Kusch, born 11 March 1967, is a heavy metal drummer. He is best known for playing with Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Masterplan. He is known for his technical style of playing, fast-paced speed metal-like rhythm and capable songwriting abilities.-Biography:...
Guest Musicians
- Backing Vocals: Tommy Newton
- Backing Vocals: Fernando GarciaFernando GarcíaFernando García can refer to:* Fernando García , Chilean composer* Fernando García , Spanish Olympic fencer* Fernando García , Peruvian footballer* Fernando García Roel, Mexican chemical engineer...
- Backing Vocals & Keyboard: Piet SielckPiet SielckPiet Sielck is a power metal guitarist and vocalist. He is member of the power/speed metal bands Iron Savior and Savage Circus, as well as owner of the studio Powerhouse in Hamburg.-Early years:...
("Sail On") - Keyboards & Piano: Mischa Gerlach (Piano: "Heaven Can Wait", Keyboards: "Lonesome Stranger")
- Drums: Mathias Burchard ("Sail On", "Mr. Outlaw", "Lonesome Stranger")
Further Credits
- Produced by Kai HansenKai HansenKai Michael Hansen is a power metal guitarist and vocalist.Hansen is the founder, lead guitarist, and vocalist of power metal band Gamma Ray, and the co-founder and former member of German metal band Helloween. He is a prominent figure in power metal, and has sold millions of albums worldwide...
- "Heaven Can Wait" & "Who Do You Think You Are?" co-produced by Piet SielckPiet SielckPiet Sielck is a power metal guitarist and vocalist. He is member of the power/speed metal bands Iron Savior and Savage Circus, as well as owner of the studio Powerhouse in Hamburg.-Early years:...
- Recorded & mixed at Karo-Music Studios, BrackelBrackelBrackel is a municipality in the district of Harburg, in Lower Saxony, Germany....
in June 1990 - Mixed and engineered by Piet SielckPiet SielckPiet Sielck is a power metal guitarist and vocalist. He is member of the power/speed metal bands Iron Savior and Savage Circus, as well as owner of the studio Powerhouse in Hamburg.-Early years:...
& Kalle Trapp - "Sail On", "Mr. Outlaw" & "Lonesome Stranger" recorded at Horus Studio, Hannover, Jan/Feb 1990
- Engineered by Ralf Krause and Piet SielckPiet SielckPiet Sielck is a power metal guitarist and vocalist. He is member of the power/speed metal bands Iron Savior and Savage Circus, as well as owner of the studio Powerhouse in Hamburg.-Early years:...
- Mixed by Tommy Newton and Piet SielckPiet SielckPiet Sielck is a power metal guitarist and vocalist. He is member of the power/speed metal bands Iron Savior and Savage Circus, as well as owner of the studio Powerhouse in Hamburg.-Early years:...