Kai Hansen
Kai Michael Hansen ( born January 17, 1963 in Hamburg ) is a German power metal musician and co-founder of the bands Helloween, Gamma Ray and Iron Savior. He is also a member of the group Unisonic, who is also the former Helloween singer Michael Kiske.
Biography
Prior to his musical career, Hansen began to study law, but with little success.
The "father of the German Power Metal " was guitarist and singer for Helloween initially, until he 1988/89 left the band. Hansen then worked together with, inter alia, Blind Guardian and founded 1988/89 Gamma Ray, who still have great influence on the scene.
As can be seen on the published in Japan CD Hansen Worx, Hansen also worked with Heavens Gate, Angra, Michael Kiske and Hammerfall together ( their single I Want Out he is represented ). In addition, he founded in 1996 with Piet Sielck, co-founder of the predecessor band Helloween Gentry and Ironfist, Iron Savior.
Mid-1990s, Hansen built his own studio in Hamburg. Since then he has worked as a producer in the metal industry. He produced, for example, since 2002 the studio albums Storm Warrior, in which he also active ( mainly as a singer ) participates in the songs. ( The billing for the Wacken Open Air 2007 "Storm Warrior feat. Kai Hansen" to read. ) In Tobias Sammet's Avantasia, the solo project of Fulda singer, Hansen stepped beside Metal greats like Klaus Meine, Jørn land and Michael Kiske on. He played in the The Metal Opera Comes to Town Tour ( 2010) the character of the dwarves Regrin and contributed musically guitar and singing. Sammet praised him at the Wacken Open Air 2011 as " Mister German Heavy Metal".
Even abroad, Hansen is considered the " figurehead " of the German heavy metal and enjoys great popularity due to its friendly nature. But not always accurate - - voice often in the crossfire of criticism during his virtuoso guitar playing and his songwriting skills are considered exalted in large parts of the metal scene as beyond all doubt, its characteristic is. From Hansen's vocal fans but is considered as an essential part of the typical gamma -ray style.
Since March 2011, Hansen is 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 ESP Guitar Company, in which he has its own signature guitar (ESP RV 300KH ).
Discography
Albums
Helloween
Gamma Ray
Iron Savior
Unisonic
- 2012: Ignition - EP
- 2012: Unisonic