### Gamma Ray: Land of the free II

#### 19/11/07 || Euthanatos

Coming home from work on Friday (I write this on Saturday evening), knowing I was to review “Land of the Free II” from Gamma Ray, I put on the original “Land of the Free”, blasting it from my car stereo, to get in the right mood and aptly review the sequel. Just to shine some light on what I think of “Land of the Free”, to me it’s one of the most amazing heavy metal albums ever created, Kai Hansen’s pinnacle of genius and all that shit.

After “Land of the Free” came “Somewhere Out In Space”, which was really different and a truly awesome metal album as well. “Powerplant” came next, with some amazing moments, but not as good as the previous efforts, and everything after that just fell to complete shit. Gamma Ray seemed to have gone into creative limbo, repeating formulas, but in a terrible manner, nothing enticed the listener, it was boring song after boring song.

One started to helplessly wonder what had happened. After all, this was the man who had created Helloween (the good era of the band), and some of the most memorable riffs ever.

Announcing a “Land of the Free II” was bold, I’ll give him that. Should he have done it? Fuck no. I couldn’t give two fucks if Helloween decided to release a third part for their “Keeper” albums, because frankly, I never cared much for Helloween. But daring to release a part II to “Land of the Free”, well, now you’re stepping on my toes, fucker.

Now, to the album at hand. It’s one big disappointment. That, naturally, if you’re a fan of the old Gamma Ray days as I am. Because if you have half a brain, you could obviously predict doom even before listening to any track. After all, it’s highly unlikely that following a world of crap in the previous albums, Hansen would simply “click” and release something as historical as “Land of the Free”.

He sure tries, though, and I’ll give him a pat in the back for the effort, right before I shoot him between the eyes and kick him in the balls, not necessarily in that order.

Hansen fills his album with “majestic” moments (oh, the irony), choirs, heavy riffs, orchestral keyboards, you name it. It’s one desperate man’s attempt to become relevant again, and it’s sad to see, because I know he really is talented. Since I’m not, I can’t really understand what it feels to have the power to move multitudes and then lose it. Must be devastating, I guess. Asswipes like you and me will never know. So all we can do is bash the artists we care about.

“Into the Storm”, a semi-intro-half-song is actually one of the better moments of the album and it’s a shame it is so short. Maybe Hansen ran out of good ideas half-way through this song, which probably was quite frustrating. “Shit, I still have a full album to write! Help!”.

“To Mother Earth” has some good moments, the heavier and faster side of Gamma Ray presents itself, and it’s nice to see the boys still have it in them to make quality stuff.

“Rain” is slower-paced, with a more modern approach to things, reminds me of stuff from “Somewhere out in Space”. The chorus is catchy.

Apart from those songs, there’s only a few interesting moments here and there on the rest of the album and the final epic “Insurrection” is a good summary of the effort as a whole; Too long, with very little to be worth actually listening to.

I’m going to do something I never do in reviews. I’m grading it according just to the overall spite these bastards had of naming this album “Land of the Free II”. Assholes. But yes, I will be honest, it’s the best thing that they’ve released since “Powerplant”. Not that that’s saying much, of course.

The cover: Bah.

1 stop making sequels to classics already out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2007
- Label: Steamhammer/SPV
- Website: www.gamma-ray.com
- Band
- Kai Hansen: vocals, guitars, bad ideas
- Henjo Ritcher: guitars, keyboards
- Dirk Schlächter: bass
- Dan Zimmermann: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Into The Storm
- 02. From The Ashes
- 03. Rising Agai
- 04. To Mother Earth
- 05. Rain
- 06. Leaving Hell
- 07. Empress
- 08. When The World
- 09. Opportunity
- 10. Real World
- 11. Hear Me Calling
- 12. Insurrection