| CD review: Gamma Ray - Land Of The Free II |
| SPV Records, 2007 | Review published: 2007/12/24 |
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 Kai Hansen, the leader of Gamma Ray, is definitely one of the master minds, explorers and creators of the magnificent Power Metal music, so when he’s releasing a new album, it can’t pass unnoticed by any fan. “Land Of The Free II” is the ninth album of his band and the sequel of their greatest success so far. A title like that normally could hold great dangers for a band, since it implies to us all that it’s the natural continuation of their first successful album, but as Kai told us, in the interview he gave to our webzine, he and the other guys from Gamma Ray, love challenges and that’s exactly what this album is for the band. But since we’re talking about Gamma Ray, it’s hard to set a great goal and not achieve it.
Of course the band has made albums that disappointed me a lot, like those that followed the first “Land Of The Free”, but I never lost my faith in their abilities to create great albums, and that’s exactly what this album is. I’ve been waiting for a long time to hear something worth buying from the band and that’s the case. I have to admit, when I first heard they would name this album like that, I didn’t like the idea at all. But now that the album has been released and of course after attending their great show in Athens (along with Helloween), I thought I should give it a second try with a mind clear from all doubts and preconceptions.
After listening to songs like “Real world”, “Empress” or “Insurrection”, I got the feeling that this album is worthy of the heavy responsibility a title like that carries. I believe the band has achieved to create something that reminds a lot the glorious days of the past and of course a record worth listening. I think it was about time to get an album like that from the band, an album that will last in time and probably bring more attention to the band. If there’s something I really loved here, that’s the acoustic parts on some songs followed by the classic electric tunes of Kai and of course his pitching screams that brought to my mind the “Walls of Jericho” era... But unfortunately, at some points the album awfully reminds me of Iron Maiden and not just in the bass lines or the twin guitars sound, but in the compositions as well. Yeah, I did like the album, but I can’t help it; for instance check the song “Opportunity” and tell me if it doesn’t bear resemblance to “Flash Of The Blade” by Iron Maiden. I noticed that in other songs too and that brings negative feelings to me, because in moments like these, the sound loses its originality and that’s not good...
Last but not least, I couldn’t forget the great artwork. The yin-yang symbol and the pyramids are back in the game, creating a great concept that I could easily buy as poster for my room. All in all, this is a great album that should please any fan of the band, with its fast and slower parts and of course with its playing time overcoming one hour. A great come back for the band from something what I would call as “stone years”... If there wasn’t this lack of originality, I could speak about a second masterpiece, but nobody is perfect.
Constantinos Alexakos
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01. Into The Storm
02. From The Ashes
03. Rising Again
04. To Mother Earth
05. Rain
06. Leaving Hell
07. Empress
08. When The World
09. Opportunity
10. Real World
11. Hear Me Calling
12. Insurrection
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 Read also: Gamma Ray - Majestic, Gamma Ray - Interview - Kai Hansen
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