Dirk Schlächter

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Dirk Schlächter (born 15 February 1965, in Bad Nauheim, West Germany) is the bassist of the power metal band Gamma Ray.

Dirk Schlächter
Dirk Schlächter performing live in July 2024
Dirk Schlächter performing live in July 2024
Background information
Birth nameDirk Schlächter
Born (1965-02-15) 15 February 1965 (age 59)
Bad Nauheim, West Germany
GenresPower metal, speed metal, heavy metal
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, piano
Years active1985–present
LabelsSanctuary

History

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Dirk got in touch with music for the first time joining a music school at the age of 8. At the age of 11 he got his first acoustic guitar followed by an electric guitar at the age of 15. At the age of 19 he turned to bass guitar. During this time he played in bands called Blue Life, Sold Out, Louis Glover House Band and Drivin' Force.

Dirk appeared as a guest musician on Gamma Ray's first album, Heading For Tomorrow, playing bass on the track "Money" and parts of the track "The Silence". The rest of the bass-parts on the album were recorded by Uwe Wessel. Schlächter was hired to play bass with Gamma Ray for their first tour, but as Uwe Wessel's former band split up at this point Schlächter replaced him. Schlächter was then offered the job of second guitarist.

From this point on Schlächter became Gamma Ray's permanent second guitarist. He played guitar on the albums Sigh No More, Insanity and Genius and Land of the Free. After the Land of the Free album Schlächter was supposed to swap positions with bassist Jan Rubach, but instead Rubach quit the band. Schlächter took over the position of bassist and Henjo Richter became the band's new guitarist. The release of the album Somewhere Out In Space marked Schlächter's return to playing bass, a job he has had ever since.

Schlächter is also the producer of Gamma Ray albums since Insanity and Genius, along with the band's mainman Kai Hansen.

In 2013, he joined German symphonic metal band Neopera.

From 2018 to 2022 he was the bassist of the Spanish band Avalanch.

Discography

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Gamma Ray

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Studio albums

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Live albums

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Extended plays (EPs)

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Compilation albums

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Videos and DVDs

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Neopera

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Studio albums

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  • Destined Ways (2014)

Singles

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  • The Marvel of Chimera (2013)

Avalanch

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As a guest

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