by -Rakuyou Mitsukai-

Created on: May 15, 2008   Last Updated: May 16, 2008

Gamma Ray: Land of the Free II (2007-2008)

Let me say this about Gamma Ray's newest album "Land of the Free II"... It is nothing short of incredible...

A power metal band from Germany, Gamma Ray released the follow-up album to the 1995 smash album "Land of the Free", which was Kai Hansen's first album as lead vocalist for the band. After over a decade Land of the Free II proves to be just as impressive, if not more, than its predecessor...

Band Members:
Kai Hansen - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Henjo Richter - Guitar/Keyboard
Dirk Schlachter - Bass
Dan Zimmerman - Drums

Track Listing:

1. Into the Storm (3:47)
2. From the Ashes (5:26)
3. Rising Again (0:27)
4. To Mother Earth (5:11)
5. Rain (5:16)
6. Leaving Hell (4:20)
7. Empress (6:22)
8. When the World (5:44)
9. Opportunity (7:14)
10. Real World (5:42)
11. Hear Me Calling (4:14)
12. Insurrection (11:33)

Breakdown:

The first thing that probably grabs your attention is that last song "Insurrection" being eleven and a half minutes long... who do they think they are? Lynyrd Skynyrd? Well I have news for you, this isn't your grandpa's "Freebird", this is even better...
The transitions and styles used in this song are smooth and flowing, not to mention the incredible dual guitar work that just takes over the middle of the song... The first time I listened to this song I had no idea it was 11 minutes long because it flew by... pure genius...

Songs like "Rain" and "Into the Storm" offer more fast paced tempos and that authentic shredding feel from the guitars while "Empress" and "Opportunity" go for the heavier riffs and slower pace, and also, the song on this CD have some incredibly catchy lyrics and verses... Look at the titles of the songs, if you think the titles are cool, the lyrics and vocal work are even better... plain and simple this album covers all the bases...

The real upside to this album though is that the band maintains an incredible balance throughout the album... no one instrument outshines the others whereas in other bands like Primus and Dragonforce the band is built around one central instrument (bass and guitars respectively)... Again, some of the songs have different focuses or styles, but Gamma Ray does an incredible job with each instrument and the mix of each instrument provides for a great quality of sound...

Final Verdict: Since I got this album, I've found it very difficult to listen to anything else... if a band can nail an eleven minute song, you better believe that they can get you hooked on anything shorter... Go out and listen to "Land of the Free II", out now in the U.S. and in Europe....

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