Heavens Gate
From their first days in 1987 until their break in 1999, HEAVENS GATE were among the top representatives of German Heavy Metal. They had a large fan community, especially in Japan, and their albums are in high demand until today... Which justifies some special release, of course - 'Best For Sale!' is a perfect choice for the newbie and the stalwart longtime fan. Let's take a trip down memory lane and recap the development of the band.
Frank Bornemann, master mind of legendary German Rock combo Eloy and owner of the publishing edition Metromania was extremely impressed by their first demo, released 1987, featuring Thomas Rettke (vocals), Bonny Bilski (guitar), Ingo Millek (guitar), Manni Jordan (bass), and Thorsten Müller (drums), and offered them a publishing deal right away. A change in the line-up – Ingo Millek left and Sascha Paeth joined the band – in the same year turned out to become a pivotal move for the band's future. The boys signed a record contract with No Remorse Records and the works for the album started in Hannover with Frank Bornemann and Tommy Hansen (Victory, Pretty Maids) in the Horus Sound Studios. The result was 'In Control', their debut album released in January 1989. After touring as support act for W.A.S.P. in Germany, Heavens Gate played their first headliner shows. One year later, the mini LP 'Open The Gate And Watch!' was released, and the quintet toured Germany again, this time with Lawdy.
In the meantime, the Japanese Metal fans had taken a liking to the band, too. In August 1990, JVC/Victor released the two mentioned productions as a "two in one-CD". The reactions following this release were so euphoric that the two most important Japanese Metal magazines, Burrn! and Metal Gear, sent their journalists to Europe in order to get their own first-hand impression of the young hopefuls from Germany.
Things went well, and so the band was able to get a new deal with a record company working on an international level, SPV/Steamhammer. The second album, 'Livin' In Hysteria' was recorded in the legendary Horus Sound Studios again, with Charlie Bauerfeind at the helm. It may be worth mentioning that two German public TV stations used two songs of the album for their prevention of dependence video campaigns in schools.
Even MTV was crazy about the young Germans, recording a HEAVENS GATE concert in Munich and broadcasting parts of it on their channel.
Meanwhile, the band became increasingly popular in Japan. HEAVENS GATE was at the top of all annual polls of the leading Japanese Metal magazines. In January 1992, the 4-track maxi 'More Hysteria' including three new songs and an acoustic version of 'Best Days Of My Life' which had been originally intended as a Japan-only treat was also released in Europe.
In November 1992, their third album 'Hell For Sale!' saw the light of day, revealing an enormous musical progress. It was all smooth sailing for the quintet, and a year after the album's release, they presented their fans with 'Live For Sale!', a live album recorded in 'Club Citta' in Tokyo-Kawasaki in February 1993. The band played four completely sold-out shows in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya – the second of the two Club Citta shows was chosen for the 'Live For Sale!' opus, with more than 2500 fans celebrating their idols.
Back in Germany, a tour with Dream Theater plus some solo shows completed the year. As of spring 1994, guitarist Sascha Paeth focused more on his skills as producer, working together with Charlie Bauerfeind on the albums of numerous well-known German Metal acts, thus postponing his work for HEAVENS GATE a little bit... But at the end of 1994, HEAVENS GATE were his top priority again, and the gang worked on their own studio to be more independent financially.
Bassist Manni Jordan left HEAVENS GATE 1995 due to personal reasons, he was replaced by Robert Hunecke. In Januar 1996, the boys worked on new songs for the next album titled 'Planet E' which was recorded from March to August 1996. 'Planet E' features ten powerful, straight Metal songs with a fresher and more modern, open-minded approach, especially regarding arrangements and chord structures. This distinctively earthier method used on 'Planet E'. was a perfect fit for Thomas Rettke's dynamic timbre.
In addition to their own songs, the band also recorded two cover versions: 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us' (Sparks) and 'Animal' (Lisa Dalbello) – both delivered with their trademark HEAVENS GATE style.
The band recorded the acoustic mini LP 'In The Mood' (released 1997) for the Japanese market. Tours and shows followed, and Sascha Paeth became a renowned and saught-after producer.
Their last album 'Menergy' was released 1999. The delivery was more modern, but the old trademarks were also part of the package – still, it wasn't the same... Parallel to this album, 'Boxed' (a 2-CD featuring four of their earlier works) was marketed. After a festival gig in Sweden in the same year, the band surprisingly withdrew from the spotlight.
16 years after one of the best German Heavy Metal bands was heard of last, 'Best For Sale!' offers a great compendium of the quintet's creative years. No doubt they have left their mark, and their albums are still in high demand. HEAVENS GATE were an integral part of the German Heavy Metal scene, and 'Best For Sale!' epitomises their unique sound: be it fast smashers or classic ballads – the boys deliver them with their impressive and distinctive style. Enjoy 'Best For Sale!' either as an introduction to the HEAVENS GATE catalogue or as a great essential legacy.
