Finally, the eleventh studio album from power metal icons, GAMMA RAY, is nearing completion! Titled Empire Of The Undead, it is the record that almost wasn’t.
Penned throughout 2013 with Eike Freese at the mixing desk supporting the ever-precious work of bass player and co-writer, Dirk Schlaechter, the band had just landed in South America with tour mates Helloween when some harrowing news reached Kai Hansen and co.: Hammer Studio, their home, rehearsal space, and meeting point for many metal bands throughout Germany, had burned down leaving nearly all its contents in ruins, with the exception of the tapes from their nearly-finished new studio album.
Back on their home turf, GAMMA RAY needed to evaluate their losses only to do what they do best – move on. “If this could not stop us, nothing ever will,” joked a light-hearted Hansen, adding that, “We got rid of a lot of shit that we gathered there. Unfortunately, a lot of good equipment as well. Anyhow, we look towards the future, we saved the production and we can continue now in this new place. By mid-January we should be done with the work on this album.”
The title track, “Empire Of The Undead,” a high-paced number in the traditionally epic GAMMA RAY style that has influenced so many bands globally, has appeared on the single/EP Master Of Confusion which was released last year and served as precursor to the forthcoming full-length.
Empire Of The Undead will be released in North America on CD, LP and digitally via Armoury Record in conjunction with earMusic later this Spring. Further details to be revealed in the coming weeks. In the meantime, view a video message Kai Hansen below: