| CD review: Gamma Ray - Majestic |
| Mayan Records, 2005 | Review published: 2007/12/24 |
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Gamma Ray, led by power metal phantom Kai Hansen, has over the years become one of the most important bands in its genre and when one's listening to an album like "Majestic" it isn't hard to understand why. The music on this disc tells of a band with tons of experience, fully aware of all the traps.
Its 2001 album "No World Order" divided the fans into two groups, pretty much. Those who appreciated it and those who considered it to be pretty medicore. Roughly speaking, that is. I definitely belong to the former as I failed to see the averageness in it. For me, "No World Order" is simply an awesome metal package with only three fillers or something like that.
"My Temple" is a really solid opener and the fact that it doesn't remind me of anything from the back catalogue is kind of cool, I think. The sing-along factor is high and the chorus is surprisingly mellow for being Gamma Ray. I can't think of much more to add, really. An excellent song, all in all.
"Fight" is a pretty uninspiring and boring song title, I know, but the song itself is in my opinion the best on the entire disc. The somewhat symphony-like (!) intro, the formidable lead guitar work, the memorable verse, the tremendous pre-chorus and above all - the wonderful refrain. Everything comes together so well, just listen to it and you'll hear what I mean! Allow me to put it this way: "Fight" has all the qualities needed in order to become a future Gamma Ray classic! Some people will probably be annoyed by the simplicity of it, but I'm definitely not one of those. Faith is the key to inspiration.
"Strange World" is simply another great track. No, I'm not getting paid off by Mayan Records for writing this - "Majestic" really has a wonderful trio of opening songs. A little more about the song in question: it doesn't exactly leave me breathless, so to speak, even if I like everything about it. The relaxed chorus might not be the best on the album, but the change in tempo almost midway through just feels so right. Recommended.
"Hell Is Thy Home" begins with a slightly anonymous speed metal-like riff (after an equally anonymous sampled intro) but the rest of the song (impressive chorus line, by the way) is kind of nice, which makes it more than just good in the end. It's not in pair with "Fight" though.
"Blood Religion" has a beginning that is very reminiscent of Iron Maiden, and I don't see anything wrong with that. The real problem is the rest of the song. Not that it's bad or anything, but it never really engages in any greater degree. The riffing feels too simple, too boring. I don't know.
"Condemned To Hell" is a bit better, but it could've been so much more. A bit more speed and power is introduced here in comparison to its predecessor, but not enough to impress me.
"Spiritual Dictator" is the third song in a row to disturb the flow of the album. The same weakness spotted in "Blood Religion" is present here as well, sadly enough. The song title indicates some heaviness, but instead we get a standard power metal tune.
"Majesty" is (many people are probably not going to believe this, but it's the truth, I swear!) an Egyptian-influenced doom metal tune! Well, at least more or less. Just listen to the chorus - doom metal-tinged pace or what? This is also the kind of song that will leave a few fans disappointed, due to it breaking the pattern, or how I should put it. But I think it's a really strong number. I mean, seriously, how interesting would Gamma Ray be, as a band, if they never ever abandoned the oh so typical power metal formula? Not particularly interesting, no, and that's why I see "Majesty" as a great addition to the disc.
"How Long" is where Gamma Ray goes eighties, at least that's the way I feel about it. The song, penned by Kai, itself is like one huge display of excellent songwriting. If you're looking for epic or progressive metal with many twists and turns then look someplace else. A simple song with splendid melodies and a superb chorus is what you'll be getting here. Even the solo is worth paying attention to and that should say quite a bit.
"Revelation" is to "Majestic" what "Armageddon" was, and still is, to 1999's "Power Plant", so to speak. In other words, something out of the ordinary. Clocking in at eight minutes and thirty seconds, the final trip of the album is an emotionally charged one with plenty of shifts in mood. Phenomenal! It doesn't really reach the same level of greatness as "Armageddon" (very few songs of this type do) but I have to point out that it's still one hell of a fascinating journey - making it one of my favourites off the album.
I've deliberately avoided to mention anything concerning Kai's vocals above, mainly because I wanted to express everything in one paragraph. The thing is that I've never seen Kai as a particularly good vocalist. Of course, a new Gamma Ray record without his vocals would be unthinkable, since he's been holding on to that position for so many years now. Still, almost everytime I listen to Gamma Ray I can't help thinking that there are so many better vocalists out there. But, as I implied, I've come to get used to his voice.
To sum things up nicely, the rays did a wonderful work on this, their eight full-length album - in spite of a few minor issues. Only beaten by Masterplan's "Aeronautics" in 2005 when it comes to power metal.
Peter Eliasson
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01. My Temple
02. Fight
03. Strange World
04. Hell Is Thy Home
05. Blood Religion
06. Condemned To Hell
07. Spiritual Dictator
08. Majesty
09. How Long
10. Revelation
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 Read also: Gamma Ray - Land Of The Free II, Gamma Ray - Interview - Kai Hansen
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