Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony based Metal band with inspiring Halfordesque vocals courtesy of ex-STEELTOWER man Thomas Rettke, HEAVENS GATE was previously known as CARRION prior to adding lead guitarist Sascha Paeth in 1987. Having released their debut album 'In Control' in 1988 the group supported W.A.S.P. on their 1989 tour of Germany, whilst road work promoting the 1990 mini album 'Open The Gate...', produced by Ralf Krause, saw the band on the road in Germany with support act LAWDY.

Following the tour the band's label went bankrupt necessitating a label change to SPV Steamhammer, with whom the group released 'Livin' In Hysteria', an album produced by Charly Bauerfeind. Having been associated with SPV ever since, 1996's 'Planet E' album found the group covering DALBELLO's 'Animal' and SPARKS' 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us'. The record, recorded at Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, heralded a line-up change, with long time bassist Manni Jordan being replaced by a former drummer in the form of SARGENT FURY's Robert Hunecke-Rizzo. The revised band promptly toured Germany opening for AXXIS at the beginning of 1997.

It's worth noting that guitarist Sascha Paeth is also building a reputation as a producer, having worked with SIEGES EVEN, GAMMA RAY, RHAPSODY and ANGRA. In 1999 Paeth took on both production and bass duties for RHAPSODY guitarist LUCA TURILLI's 'King Of The Nordic Twilight' album. This outing also saw Robert Hunecke-Rizzo on drums. The HEAVENS GATE triumvirate of Rettke, Paeth and Hunecke-Rizzo reunited in 2003 for the Rock Operetta AINA and the album 'Days Of Rising Doom'.

REDKEY, announced in July 2006, was established by former HEAVENS GATE members singer Thomas Rettke and guitar player Sascha Paeth.