Due to a retina detachment, GAMMA RAY guitarist/keyboardist Henjo Richter has been hospitalized will undergo surgery today (March 16th). A retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue.

In the meantime, two upcoming Gamma Ray live shows in Saarbrücken, Germany and Langen, Germany have been rescheduled. The show in Langen at Stadthalle has be moved to March 22. Saarbrücken's show at Garage will be held on March 23rd.

Gamma Ray's upcoming live schedule can be found here.

Gamma Ray's new album, To The Metal, was released in North America on March 16th via a new deal between DisManic Distribution and Knife Fight Media. It was released in Europe on January 29th via earMUSIC/Edel. A video for the album's title track, 'To The Metal', directed by Ronald Matthes for Berlin, Germany’s Roax Films (NEVERMORE, MACHINE HEAD, SLIPKNOT), can be seen below.

Gamma Ray members Kai Hansen (vocals/guitar), Dirk Schlächter (bass), Henjo Richter (guitar) and Daniel Zimmermann (drums) recorded a total of twelve new songs at their own studio in Hamburg in autumn 2009. Ten of them feature on the regular album release, and two additional bonus tracks can be heard on different editions of the album.

To The Metal is available in four versions - check out the art work below:

- as a regular jewel case CD:

- as a limited edition featuring an additional DVD:

- as a red vinyl in gatefold packaging:

To The Metal is also released as a collectors’ edition featuring CD and 7” vinyl with two unreleased tracks, completely hand-signed.

To The Metal's album artwork was created by Herve Monjeaud, and features the following tracks:

'Rise'

'Deadlands'

'Mother Angel'

'No Need To Cry'

'Empathy'

'To The Metal'

'All You Need To Know'

'Time To Live'

'Shine Forever'

'Breaking Away'

DVD (included in limited-edition version) features a 60-minute documentary shot in HD, featuring interviews, 'making-of-the-album' material, performance footage of classic Gamma Ray songs.

Bonus material:

- three video clips (including 'To The Metal')
- interview with Kai Hansen

Gamma Ray recently updated their MySpace player to stream a sample of the title track for their upcoming To The Metal Album. Check it out at this location.

GAMMA RAY - TO THE METAL! | MySpace Music Videos