Michael Ehré (GAMMA RAY) on Rock Overdose: “We re composing new stuff & we re preparing the Hellish-Rock-Tour 2013!”

Michael Ehré, the new drummer of power-metallers Gamma Ray (and ex-Firewind), is interviewed exclusively on Rockoverdose.gr about him being selected as the drummer for the legendary German band, the forthcoming album that Gamma Ray are preparing and their future plans!

 

 

 

 

Rockoverdose.gr: Hi Michael, thank you for this interview! So, Gamma Ray announced you as their new drummer! How do you feel about that?

Michael: I'm very excited and I'm really looking forward to all the things to come in the future. wink

Rockoverdose.gr: Did you pass of any kind of audition before they choose you?

Michael: It all started in September 2011 when Dan didn´t had the time to play a show for the German TV in Berlin. As I knew Kai from a charity show that we've played together in Italy he remembered me. Besides that I'm playing with Gamma Ray's keyboardist Corvin Bahn in the band of ex-Scorpion's guitarist Uli Jon Roth. In 2012 when Dan left the band they asked me to play all the summer-festivals, like e.g. Wacken and Sweden-Rock. I guess that was a kind of an audition... So, one thing led to another and here we are.

Rockoverdose.gr: Now you are working with Kai Hansen. How is he as a musician and as a person? Can you describe him to us?

Michael: Kai and also Henjo and Dirk are very nice people. We all live in the north of Germany, so we have a lot of things in common, what makes it easier for me to feel welcome and comfortable in Gamma Ray, a band that exists for so many years now. Do I need to talk about their music skills? I don't think so.wink Every metalhead in the world knows about that!

 

Rockoverdose.gr: Kai Hansen said recently in an interview that he will give a lot of time to his other band, Unisonic. Of course he will not let Gamma Ray, but he will focus to one band per year. How do you see that?

Michael: I think it's great for the metal community that Kai and Michael Kiske are back together. As Unisonic is playing a different style I don't see any problems.

 

Rockoverdose.gr: And you are still playing to your other band, Love.Might.Kill, right? So, Kai's decision is working for you also?

Michael: No, Love.Might.Kill is also playing a different style and Kai has a lot of work with Gamma Ray and Unisonic.
 

Rockoverdose.gr: Do you believe that Gamma Ray's picking you as their drummer, is an important moment for your career?

Michael: Yes, it is an important moment for sure as Gamma Ray is one of my favourite bands that I grew up with. It's also the biggest band I've ever played in. This is quite a big step for me.

 

Rockoverdose.gr: You were playing at Metalium until they split up. What happened with that band?

Michael: I don't know... we're still in contact because we're still friends. But I think we did Metalium for a long time and it was time for each of us to concentrate on other projects. That's it!

 

Rockoverdose.gr: You were also drummer of the mighty Uli Jon Roth! Can you describe us your collaboration with him?

Michael: Uli is great! Not only his playing is great - he is also one of the nicest and most honest and loyal people I know! Since he brought me in his band it opened me a lot of other doors. I've played on his record, I did a lot of shows and tours worldwide and I learned a lot about music. Uli is probably the most important guy in my musical career!

 

Rockoverdose.gr: So, now that you are in Gamma Ray, what are your expectations from the band's future?

Michael: Right now we're composing new stuff and we´re preparing the Hellish Rock Tour 2013. We will play many, many shows with Helloween, which is a great package! I'm really, really excited!!!

 

Rockoverdose.gr: Thank you Michael. This interview was a pleasure! I wish all the best for you and your bands, and I hope to see you soon somewhere! If you want to say anything to the fans in Greece, go ahead... Cheers!

Michael: It was a pleasure for me, too! I´d like to say "Hi" to all the Greek Metalheads! I met a lot of them during my time with Firewind! YOU'RE GREAT!!!

 

For RockOverdose.gr: Zisis Petkanas, Antonis "Jey Key" Katsaros

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