Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II Posted by Jesse Coy on 03.13.2008
What's all this talk about alternative energy? Who needs alternate fuel sources when there's an ample supply of Gamma Ray.
Gamma Ray Land of the Free II
Late 2007
Steamhammer/SPV Records
Melodic speed metal pioneers from Germany? Here it is. This one was released in Europe at the end of ’07, and hit North America early ’08. I actually conducted an interview with bassist Dirk Schlachter not too long ago, and will hopefully send that 411Mania’s way before I hit the high road and head overseas. As for Land of the Free II… what can I say? I guess I can say that while Iron Maiden disappointed me throughout the mid-90’s and into the 00’s, this one is great. I still can’t nail down what it is that makes Iron Maiden’s material go in one ear and out the other, yet Land of the Free II sticks with me.
I will confess that I’d always liked Helloween quite a lot, though I’m talking older Helloween, meaning mostly Michael Kiske, except for the band’s first full-length release, Walls of Jericho (sound familiar, WWE fans of Jericho?), plus their early EP, Judas. That was founder Kai Hansen on vocals. Kai left the band around ’88 or ’89, and soon after, formed Gamma Ray.
Early in the 90’s, I got a hold of Gamma Ray’s first two releases (Heading for Tomorrow and Sigh No More), which I liked a lot, especially considering I wasn’t too hip on Michael’s replacement in Helloween. Only got one album of Helloween after Michael left, which I sold. To me, Gamma Ray filled the void of that Helloween sound I was missing. Only, after the first two albums, something happened with Gamma Ray… their albums were hard to find, and when I did find them, they were a bit pricey.
Thus ends the Gamma Ray albums I have in my collection… until now. Welcome to Land of the Free II, oh Music Junky. I’ll confess to a bit of ignorance, too. For whatever reason, on those first two albums, I thought it was Kai on vocals, or maybe once I knew it was Ralf Scheepers, but that incorrect notion of it being Kai gradually evolved in my head (well, Ralf had a similar vocal style as Kai’s vocal style).
Kai did take over as lead vocalist on Gamma Ray’s fourth album, Land of the Free (which I don't have), and it’s Kai on this one. And as I wrote this nice back story, listening to Land of the Free II once more while I’ve done so… I think I’ve isolated it. Without being redundant, Gamma Ray retained the speed in their speed metal formula. Iron Maiden? As far as I’m concerned, they lost their edge.
There’s also this strong, soaring quality. The second track, “From the Ashes,” is a classic example of that. It’s actually a largeness not too far removed from Queen, though supercharged. I just got done listening to “Hear Me Calling”… the second to last track. Listen to that guitar! The band hasn’t lost anything, and that style is quite unique. It’s this very fast and upbeat, almost operatic riffing. “Leaving Hell” is another finely souped up number.
One of my favorite tracks, “Empress,” sits nicely nearly at the center of this release. The keyboard working on this one, combined with the multi-voiced chorus, is just damn catchy. Finally, as a little Iron Maiden nod… you know, the first time I listened to the album, I caught it right off. The ninth song, “Opportunity,” has got a little refrain, and my thinking was, cool… they’re paying a bit of homage to old school Iron Maiden. It’s a small snippet reminiscent of the creepy bass line in the middle of “Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner.” Anyway, talking with Dirk, who wrote that… he said that that was the reaction he got, too. But he hadn’t meant to do it. Just a little subconscious nod, but when he listened to the Maiden track… yep, he caught it.
That fits nicely into this review, though. And as for Gamma Ray, there’s no need for nostalgia to when they sounded good (as I often feel about Iron Maiden). Gamma Ray still sounds very good. Here’s a strong metal release for ’08.
The 411: If you want an updated serving of Gamma Ray or Helloween, that uplifting speed metal style, this one has it. The band is as crisp as ever.
