Power Plant [EXTRA TRACKS] [IMPORT]

Gamma Ray

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 1999)
• Original Release Date: April 5, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Jvc Japan
• ASIN: B00000IPM4
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #715,851 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Anywhere in the Galaxy

2. Razorblade Sigh

3. Send Me a Sign

4. Strangers in the Night

5. Gardens of the Sinner

6. Short as Hell

7. It's a Sin

8. Heavy Metal Universe

9. Wings of Destiny

10. Hand of Fate

11. Armageddon

12. Long Live Rock 'N' Roll [*]

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Japanese edition of the veteran heavy metal act's 1999 album featuring the bonus track 'Long Live Rock'N'Roll' and a full color, CD-sized sticker of the cover art limited to the initial pressing only. 12 tracks total. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Great melodic speed metal with an homage to the masters, May 27, 2001

By	Mark R. Guglielmo "markgugs" (Wood Ridge, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow! I can't believe this album hasn't been reviewed yet...huh. Well, I didn't actually purchase the $30+ import version; my local record store had the regular old one. Anyway, this was my first exposure to Gamma Ray and as a longtime Helloween fan, I was dying with anticipation to hear the band Kai Hansen formed when he left the German metal masters.

Now that I have, I can say with 100% certainty that Kai left because Helloween was moving more toward a progressive melodic sound and further away from the "Walls of Jericho" melodic super-speed anthem metal that is so prevalent here. The album kicks off with "Anywhere in the Galaxy," which just rips along, not unlike "Ride the Sky" from "Jericho." Gamma Ray revisits this proven formula again with "Wings of Destiny," which ironically brings up the band's second important influence: Judas Priest.

I also heard lots of tributary musical statements on this album that clearly paid some homage to Judas Priest, especially "Strangers in the Night." Kai's vocals here are entirely reminiscent of Halford, right around the "Ram it Down" and "Painkiller" albums. Gamma does a great job though of mixing up the tempos and melodies and not just ramming pure speed down your throat. The same "Strangers..." song also uses the great anthemic big choruses and melodies that bring the best of Blind Guardian to mind. Another classic metal sound is seen with "Heavy Metal Universe," so if you don't like your metal cheesy, pass this one by. It's got all those great "metal rules forever" type of lyrics, but the song itself would fit perfectly in a 1982 NWOBHM world.

Midway through the album is really the only misfire in my mind. "Short as Hell" reminds me of uninspired Motley Crue (is that redundant?), as there must be 1,000 songs exactly like this. The band does attempt to redeem themselves by getting all Gamma Ray again in the middle of the tune, but I had already lost interest. Aside from that though, there's precious little wasted space on this 50+ minute disc. I was completely in love with "Send Me a Sign" and well on my way to giving this 5 stars at that point (a few downpoints prevented that), and "Armageddon" is a fittingly epic closer, a barrage of rapidfire double-bass drumming, ripping melodic speed metal guitars and tight, precise tempo changes.

As an introduction, I'm thrilled with Gamma Ray, and will be seeking out their other albums. If you're already a fan, I imagine this review was nothing new to you. However, if you're a self-respecting power metalhead and you don't have this happen, you need to get it. Now.