Gamma Ray - Land Of The Free II |
Published January 19 2008
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Into The Storm* |
| Genre | Power Metal |
Kai Hansen
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Vocals
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| Tracks | 12 |
Kai Hansen
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Guitar
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| Runningtime | 65 Min. |
Henjo Richter
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Guitar
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| Label | SPV |
Dirk Schlächter
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Bass
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| Release | 19 Nov. 2007 |
Daniel Zimmermann
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Drums
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| Country | Germany |
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Keyboard
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| Similar artists | Iron Maiden, Helloween, Queen | ||
Rising again from the ashes of absolute necessity, Gamma
Ray return with another majestic reign. Proving again they are the Masters
of The Power Metal Insurrection, Kai, Dirk, Henjo, and Danny deliver
the goods with a true lust for life. When the world of cliche' make
metal bands becomes absorbed in cotton candy ass repetition, Kai and
his cohorts remain one with the strange world, and enforce the changes.
They decided to call this release Land Of The Free II; as the predecessor
is considered by most Gamma Ray enthusiasts, myself included, their
crowning achievement. Perhaps, this was a response to Helloween's -
Legacy, an excellent composition, that pales in comparison to the first
two Keepers! Here Gamma Ray is not so much creating the obligatory sequel,
as they are personifying the essence and the spirit of the Land Of The
Free theme of harmony, peace, and compassion.
Gamma Ray wear their influences on their sleeve as allusions to Iron
Maiden, Judas Priest, Accept, Queen and early Kai written Helloween
era anecdotes are quite prevalent, and heavily pronounced all throughout
the CD. Kai and company even remonstrate in favour of the much honoured
Thin Lizzy, as evidenced by Leaving Hell. With the epic closer Insurrection,
Gamma Ray have essentially come full circle with the direction they
projected on the first Land Of The Free album. These gods of deliverance
have been hammering out true power metal anthems for nigh two decades,
and yet they have still maintained their integrity and novel soundscape
from paradise.
There are plenty of Power Metal acts over-saturating the
already prolific scene. Some bands like Freedom Call, Gaia Epicus, Armory,
and Olympos Mons may not be too original, but they still have such jovial
and infectious melodies which put a smile an my otherwise gloomy countenance.
Other bands like Cage from San Diego, or Lord (formerly Dungeon) from
Australia play exceptional, traditional metal with power metal overtones.
Gamma Ray manage to balance the razor blades' sigh, standing, not somewhere
out in space; but right in the middle, meandering with intense riffage,
melodic intonation, and mind elevating harmonies and choruses.
Consider the song Real World, my personal favourite; this very may well
be the follow up to Future World, with a chorus so catchy, and yet so
profound. Myself and Kai Hansen have gained heartfelt wisdom, over the
many years, yet the one constant which matters is the mettle. This is
exactly what Gamma Ray do, they create the alchemical romance by changing
lead(s) into pure gold. This is their Blood Religion: their pact. This
is the true Insanity & Genius for the Guardians of Mankind, heading
for a better tomorrow.
Concerning the songs, themselves, there are no disappointments, as every
track is ample opportunity for soul searching semblance. From the hammer
raging opener Into The Storm, to the heavily Maidenesque From The Ashes,
Gamma Ray gun with blazing glory. The power of the evocative - To Mother
Earth plants the seeds which will prosper from the downpour of Rain.
As one continues his rebellion in dreamland, he instantly becomes lured
into the Accept dance of Empress, which like Majestic's Blood Religion,
exemplifies why the restless and wild Udo has a metal heart which beats
for all.
As the wings of destiny expand, the "True Gods of
Metal" soar in the winds of the wistful - When The World - spins.
The eagle flies free above the Maiden calling for the Priest and Queen,
with a mimetic harmony. Opportunity has a little modern flavour similar
to Damn The Machine from No World Order. The production element is top
notch, as Dirk Schlächter's bass is so properly punctuated. There
are solos a plenty, as to be expected.
This is definitely not Land Of The Free '95, just as Mindcrime II by
Queensrÿche paled in comparison to the best concept album of all
time. Helloween may be determined to keep re-inventing themselves as
Gambling With The Devil advocated, but Gamma Ray are forever content
to shine on as men on a mission in this heavy metal universe!
See
also review of: Heading
For Tomorrow (Anniversary Edition) , The
Best (Of) , Empire
Of The Undead , Skeletons
& Majesties Live , To
The Metal , Majestic ,
No World Order
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Performance
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Originality
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Production
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Vocals
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Songwriting
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8 |
8 |
9 |
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Summary
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8,5 chalices of 10 - Michael The MettleAngel |
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