Kai Hansen
Kai Michael Hansen (* 17th January 1963 in Hamburg ) is a German power metal - musician and co-founder of the band Helloween , Gamma Ray and Iron Savior . He is also a member of the group Unisonic , which also includes the former Helloween singer Michael Kiske .
biography
Before his musical career, Hansen began studying law , but with little success. He was guitarist and initially a singer with Helloween until he left the band in 1988/89. Hansen then worked a. a. collaborated with Blind Guardian and founded Gamma Ray in 1988/89 , who are still very influential on the scene.
As can be seen on the CD Hansen Worx released in Japan, Hansen also worked with Heavens Gate , Angra , Michael Kiske and Hammerfall (on whose single I Want Out he is featured). He also founded Iron Savior in 1996 with Piet Sielck , co-founder of the Helloween predecessor bands Gentry and Ironfist .
In the mid-1990s, Hansen set up his own recording studio in Hamburg. Since then he has also worked as a producer in the metal industry. For example, he has been producing Stormwarrior's studio albums since 2002 , where he is also actively involved in the songs (mainly as a singer). (In the billing for the Wacken Open Air 2007 you can read “Stormwarrior feat. Kai Hansen”.) In Tobias Sammets Avantasia , the solo project of the Fulda singer, Hansen appeared alongside metal greats such as Klaus Meine , Jørn Lande and Michael Kiske. He played the character of the dwarf Regrin in The Metal Opera Comes to Town Tour (2010) and contributed musically to vocals and guitar. Sammet praised him at the Wacken Open Air 2011 as "Mister German Heavy Metal".
Hansen is also known abroad as the " figurehead " of German heavy metal and is very popular because of his friendly nature. While his virtuoso guitar playing and songwriting skills are seen in large parts of the metal scene as beyond reproach, his characteristic - but not always accurate - voice is often in the crossfire of criticism. However, fans consider Hansen's vocals to be an essential part of the typical Gamma Ray style. Frank Beck (since 2015) supplements and supports his singing there.
Since March 2011 Hansen has been part of the line-up of Michael Kiskes melodic rock band Unisonic , which released their first album on March 30, 2012.
Hansen is also an endorser of the guitar company ESP , where he owns his own signature guitar ( ESP RV-300KH ).
Hansen's son Tim Hansen is also a musician. He is the guitarist of the Czech power metal band Induction.
Discography
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Albums
Helloween
- 1985: Halloween (EP)
- 1985: Walls of Jericho
- 1987: Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1
- 1988: Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2
- 2017: Pumpkins United (EP)
Gamma Ray
- 1990: Heading for Tomorrow
- 1991: Sigh No More
- 1993: Insanity and Genius
- 1995: Land of the Free
- 1997: Somewhere out in Space
- 1999: Powerplant
- 2001: No World Order
- 2005: Majestic
- 2007: Land of the Free Part II
- 2010: To the Metal!
- 2011: Skeletons and Majesties (mini-album)
- 2013: Master Of Confusion (EP)
- 2014: Empire of the Undead
Iron Savior
- 1997: Iron Savior
- 1998: Unification
- 1999: Interlude (EP)
- 2001: Dark Assault
Unisonic
- 2012: Ignition - EP
- 2012: Unisonic
- 2014: Light of Dawn
Projects and guest appearances
- 1989: Follow the Blind by Blind Guardian
- 1990: Tales from the Twilight World by Blind Guardian
- 1992: Somewhere Far Beyond by Blind Guardian
- 1992: Hell for Sale! from Heavens Gate
- 1993: Angels Cry from Angra
- 1995: Under a Different Sun by Lanzer
- 1996: Instant Clarity by Michael Kiske
- 1998: Swallow by Heavenwood
- 1998: Primal Fear by Primal Fear
- 1999: Guest on Hammerfall's I Want Out EP
- 2000: Coming from the Sky by Heavenly
- 2001: The Metal Opera by Avantasia
- 2002: The Metal Opera Pt. II from Avantasia
- 2002: Stormwarrior by Stormwarrior
- 2004: Northern Rage by Stormwarrior
- 2004: Temple of Shadows by Angra
- 2008: The Scarecrow by Avantasia
- 2009: Acedia from Dark Age
- 2011: Reverence from Merging Flare
- 2011: Scheepers by Scheepers
- 2011: The Flying Opera - Around The World In 20 Days - Live (DVD) by Avantasia
- 2016: Hansen & Friends - XXX: 30 Years In Metal
- 2017: Hansen & Friends - Thank You Wacken Live
Web links
References
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Hansen, Kai |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Hansen, Kai Michael (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German metal musician, co-founder of the band Helloween |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 17th January 1963 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Hamburg |