Heaven's Gate

1993 release captures the heavy metal masters live in action. The Heaven's Gate line-up features guitar virtuoso / producer extraordinaire Sascha Paeth. Heaven's Gate were a German power metal band formed in 1987 from the ashes of an earlier group named Steeltower, where vocalist Thomas Rettke and drummer Thorsten Mueller achieved little recognition despite putting in almost five years of work and releasing an album in 1984. They would be far more fortunate with Heaven's Gate (also featuring guitarists Bonny Bilski, Sascha Paeth, and bassist Manni Jordan), which capitalized on the late-'80s and early-'90s power metal craze with solid efforts like In Control (1989), Open the Gate and Watch (EP, 1990), Livin' in Hysteria (1991), More Hysteria (EP, 1992), and Hell for Sale (1992).

Eric Gales was already guitar wiz at 16 years old in 1991 when his debut album appeared from Elektra Records, and his immense skill and talent have certainly not diminished since. This set, released by Cleopatra Records and produced by Raphael Saadiq, is vintage blues-rock and features guest spots from Eric Johnson and Zakk Wylde.

On march 22nd 1997, 39 members of the Heavens Gate cult committed suicide in Rancho Santa Fe, California. They did this in waves lasting three days, they received a signal in the form of a comet known as Hale Bopp. Once every 2000 years a signal from the level above human appears.
"Red Alert, A massive comet is soaring close to earths atmosphere. A signal has come to show the next step. You must abandon your human bodies and leave with uncertain doubt. Closure to Heavens Gate is here, the level above human."
With time running out and nothing left to lose the leader of the group Marshall Applewhite reaches a decision…