Year : 2013
Style : Melodic Power Metal
Country : Germany
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 200 mb
Bio:
Gamma Ray is a power metal band from Hamburg, northern Germany, founded and fronted by Kai Hansen after his departure from the German power metal band Helloween. Hansen is the current lead vocalist, guitarist as well as the chief songwriter of Gamma Ray. The band is known as one of the most prominent bands of the German heavy metal scene.In 1988, after four years with the German power metal band Helloween, guitarist and songwriter Kai Hansen decided, for reasons that are still the subject of much debate, to leave the group. Hansen claimed that Helloween had become too big for him to handle, although the group's troubles with financial issues and their record company, Noise Records, most likely played a part as well. He proceeded to do some studio work with German power metal band Blind Guardian and in 1989 decided to form his own project with long-time friend Ralf Scheepers, former vocalist of the band Tyran Pace. This two-man project grew into a four-man band with the addition of Uwe Wessel on bass and Mathias Burchardt on drums. This was the first line-up of Gamma Ray, bearing a sound understandably close to that of Helloween of that period.
Album:
Gamma Ray released their latest EP, Master of Confusion on March 15, 2013. While hearing little to no buzz about this EP, I was unsure of what to expect after the three years of relative silence, outside of the Skeletons and Majesties live CD and DVD release recorded in Switzerland. Hearing that release proved that the band still had it in them, even after the near 25 years of bouncing between the road and the studio. Master of Confusion however, is a couple new tracks, some cover songs, and additional live recordings of some of their classic tunes recorded in Bochum, Germany.Original track Empire of the Undead begins with a rough scream and some drum and guitar collaboration that is sure to knock you off your feet. Michael Ehre on drums is a relatively new member to the band, and with this track being my first impression of his work, I am quite excited to hear more from him. Straight of out a lost 80's thrash record, the song is in your face, fast paced, and an all around suprisingly heavy track for what classic GR fans would expect. Hansen's vocals are as sharp and classic as ever, never hesitant, never faltering. The guitar work from the band's trio of guitarists, Hansen, Dirk Schlacter, and Henjo Richter, is quick and dense, with great lead licks harmonized within.Master of Confusion, a sharp contrast to the first track, as it demonstrates a definite tempo cut, with traditional power metal drums and bass lines. The vocal work is lower pitched, with few exemptions in the chorus. The song's message is a definite stadium like anthem, an ode to Gamma Ray if you will, as they claim to be the masters of their craft, which I doubt anyone would deny. The EP also features two cover songs, Death or Glory (Holocaust) and Lost Angels (Sweet) which are two very severely contrastive songs. This isn't the first time Gamma Ray has covered Holocaust, as their cover of Heavy Metal Mania is found on Land of the Free. Death or Glory is one of those dark and angry, short-sweet-to the point kind of metal tunes, as Holocaust was well known for, and is perfectly executed by Gamma Ray. Sweet however, is a more lighthearted pop-rock band, however they were still a very influential band of the 1970's. This song has a more traditional power metal vibe when covered by GR, but still sounds very close to the original.The live tracks on the EP were recorded in Germany (because Germany gets everything of course) and as what is typically expected with GR, they are as strong and sharp as ever. The balance in the mixing is clear, and had I not been told these were live, I would have assumed they were some long lost rough studio mix, because they are so perfect. Michael Kiske is featured on track 9, Time to Break Free, which plays back to the fact that Germany gets to see everything, as if Wacken wasn't enough (I'm not a bitter American at all). All of the live tracks are beautiful, perfectly executed, and a great tease into the GR live experience for those of you that missed the Skeletons and Majesties live release.This EP is a good look into a possible new album from the power metal kings. The new material is exciting, and truly makes a Gamma Ray fan smile to see that they're not burning out and certainly not fading away.
Line Up:
Kai Hansen - Guitars, Vocals
Dirk Schlächter - Bass
Henjo Richter - Guitars, Keyboards
Michael Ehré - Drums (tracks 1-3)
Dan Zimmermann - Drums (tracks 4-10)
Tracklist:
01. Empire of the Undead 04:25
02. Master of Confusion 04:55
03. Death or Glory (Holocaust cover) 03:46
04. Lost Angels (Sweet cover) 04:00
05. The Spirit (live) 04:22
06. Wings of Destiny (live) 06:18
07. Gamma Ray (live) 04:44
08. Farewell (live) 05:45
09. Time to Break Free (live) 04:55
10. Insurrection (live) 12:11
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
