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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
They grew strong power metal , February 7, 2006
I?m not sure if Hansen took the inspiration for the album?s name because it spreads power metal ( same as melodic)....
I can hardly understand these negative reviews. Here I am again to correct these evil comments:
There's one that said an absurd, that the double bass drums prevails in this 1999 release. Daniel Zimmermman is no Stratovarius's Jorg Michael before 2005.Actually, where it appears, it's not in 100% of the track:
Anywhere in galaxy -> This song is high-flown, where melodic consorts with weight. The intro riff ( with Henjo's keyboards help) is very cool. The bridge , especially the 2nd ( " anywhere in the galaxy, we will will fight for our destiny... Anywhere in the galaxy, anywhere in the galaxy... )is one of the best and catchy ever composed for a Gamma Ray song. Its vocal harmony is magnificent. The guitar solos are feature too. The lyrics are residues of the previous album Somewhere out in space talking about science fiction, outer space.
Wings of destiny -> One of my favourites. Good melody.
Strangers in the night -> The title refers to the aliens like Kai Hansen stated in an interview I read in internet. The only thing I don't like here is the squeak like voice before the bridge. After 3:47 in clock, " we lay our souls...", the vocal harmonies and guitar solo are indiscribably beautiful. Impressive.
Armageddon -> It was included in greatest hits compilation.
In the following, no double bass:
Razorblade Sigh -> The most original to me. I like riff speed up when the drum starts. It gave a great effect. There is a tempo change in 2:26 with very well peformed guitar harmonies. Razorblade!
Send me a sign - > It has videoclip and it's a fan favourite. Outstanding.Don't be deceived with the distorted solo in 2:22 it's Henjo Hichter not Kai.
Short as hell -> The heaviest and darkest. As a reviewer said,in the beggining, Hansen sounds like Metallica's Hetfield. Another good and beautiful vocal harmony in 2:35 after a speedy guitar.
It's a sin -> I'm no cover lover, but I assure you that in particular,that it was well constructed. Gamma managed to turn a Pet shop boys pop hit into metal. That keyboard and orchestra were transfered to guitar.
Heavy metal universe -> It has a video too. Actually , the song I like less, but not bad. Hansen praises his life passion again.
It cheered the spectators in the concert that resulted in the live album Skeletons in the Closet.
Hands of fate -> The melody here is terrific and it deserves the repeat button. Spetacular.
Gardens of the sinner -> great twin guitars work! (4:25)
Needn?t to say that it's a masterpiece. This cd and Land of the free are the best Gamma efforts with Kai Hansen's lead vocals. Forget these people who are complaining with full stomach...
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Keeper Of The Seven Keys part............ ?, February 13, 2002
Gamma Ray's 1999 album Powerplant picks up where classic speed-power metal albums like Helloween's Keeper Of The Seven Keys 1&2 and Gamma Ray's own Somewhere Out In Space left off. No surprise, since GR vocalist/guitarist/mastermind Kai Hansen was instrumental in the Keeper classics with his songwriting and guitar genius when he was with Helloween in the 80's. This time around, and since the landmark Land Of The Free album, he has also returned to lead vocals for the first time since the Helloween EP and Walls Of Jericho days, and with outstanding results, as he makes a full on return to his trademark bombastic, passionate, power metal roots with Powerplant. From the scorching opener 'Anywhere In The Galaxy' to the last epic track 'Armageddon', complete with strong spiritual theme, Powerplant is a prime example of everything German power/speed metal is and is about, displaying ultra catchy choruses, heavy riffs, lightning fast neoclassical solos, thunderous drumming, and virtuosoic song structures with the kind of magic quality we haven't seen since the Keeper days, or, well, the last Gamma Ray album. Gamma Ray blazes on this one, the new lineup is superbly tight, there are classic moments abound (solo in Strangers In The Night, vocals in Armageddon, second bridge of Anywhere In The Galaxy, et al) One note of caution, however; this is a METAL album through and through, and for sure Gamma Ray's heaviest album..unlike their previous releases, there's not a real ballad to be seen here, and depending on your taste that can be a good or bad thing. Personally I feel Gamma Ray makes EXCEPTIONALLY strong ballads (Pray, The Silence, One With The World, etc) and the addition of one would have balanced this album out a bit more and make it more accessible, but even as it's lacking one, the point of the matter is this is a scorching, colorful, passionate metal release, one of the best overall of 1999, and will satisfy anyone who even remotely likes Gamma Ray or their basic style shown throughout this album. There are also some weak spots in a few tracks (Short As Hell, Heavy Metal Universe, Wings Of Destiny) that holds them back from reaching the overall high quality of the rest of the songs, but all are listenable, and definitely enjoyable, as the songwriting, vocals, guitars, drums, bass, and production are top-notch overall. If you're a Gamma Ray fan, Helloween fan, or just a fan of passionate and/or heavy music in general, you simply can't go wrong picking this one up. Standout tracks include Armageddon, Strangers In The Night, the Pet Shop Boys cover It's A Sin, and Anywhere In The Galaxy.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerplant doesn't disappoint!, April 17, 2001
I was more than a bit reluctant to give POWERPLANT a listen to. SOIS was such a great cd I didn't think they could do it again. Boy was I wrong! I can't say one is better than the other because they are both amazing. Songs like ANYWHERE IN THE GALAXY and ARMAGEDDON are brillant! Pure GR! But I enjoyed every song on POWERPLANT. If you are a fan of Gamma Ray's more recent work like LAND OF THE FREE & SOIS then there's no reason why you shouldn't love POWERPLANT.
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