GAMMA RAY „Majestic”

Music: Power Metal
Country: Germany
Website: http://www.gamma-ray.com
Duration: 54.21
Cool Songs: My Temple, Strange World, Blood Religion, Majesty, How Long

First a comment on this promo: It’s interesting to note the lengths that Record label go to in order to discourage MP3 ripping and burning of their product. Clearly there are the desperate few who hock promo copies on the net months before their official release, so any deterrent is worth putting in place. Sanctuary records certainly think so. Take this new Gamma Ray promo I’ve been slung. So protective of its contents are Sanctuary that it won’t even play in my lap top. And just to make sure there’s no sneaky transfer from external sources, Sanctuary have ‘sonically’ warped this new Gamma Ray promo at regular intervals throughout its entire length.

In the past we’ve had ‘voice over’ sections where someone informs you of just what the hell you are listening to; we’ve had intermittent squeals and beeps interrupting playback; we’ve had splicing of individual tracks so that rather than a regular 10-12 tracks affair, we get like 99!! We’ve also had (and this is the worst in my opinion) the ‘fade out’ promo, where each track is deliberately cut short by up to 1 minute. Sanctuary has introduced a new deterrent by distorting parts of each Gamma Ray song, providing a sort of ‘white noise’ effect you would get when you turn your radio dial too far in and out of frequency. It’s nothing too lengthy, but by Christ is it annoying. I should refuse to review this album in protest. Now, I’m no expert on this technological phenomenon, but isn’t there any easy way to get around this sort of thing anyway? Are these MP3 deterrents all a waste of time for record labels? Someone comment or email with the answer please.

The fact that this IS the new Gamma Ray album – their first in four years since 2001’s ‘New World Order’ – is the only reason why I’m going any further with this review. Gamma Ray are one of the most revered Power Metal bands to come out of Europe. Incredibly professional throughout, the production and musicianship of ‘Majestic’ is easily the equal, if not better than anything they’ve achieved before. And while I do concur with the naysayers than they possibly take themselves just a little too seriously at times, it is hard to go past the song writing consistency of this new disc. Still, if you’re expecting some sort of musical and stylistically progression after four years, then it’s possible that ‘Majestic’ might disappoint.

For all intents and purposes, ‘Majestic’ stands as rather standard fare Gamma Ray material – remembering that the hundreds of like minded Euro Power Metal clones would sacrifice their left limb to write something as professional as this – but for Kai Hansen, ‘Majestic’ is simply another killer run through of what he and his band does best; Speedy metal riffage, double kick overload, and catchy anthemic song choruses. There’s not a whole lot to dislike really – it pushes all the right buttons and steams along in true Gamma Ray style. But standard it is. In a way, Gamma Ray are hamstrung by their intolerably high standards of expectation. It’s possible that Kai wrote some of this in his sleep, such is his proficiency as writing this sort of music – not that ‘Majestic’ sounds tired and uninspired – it has their dynamic and individual personality all over it, it just doesn’t push the song writing envelope, so to speak.

Getting over the fact that ‘Majestic’ is nothing but pure Gamma Ray, I’m sure 95% of their fan base will be mightily satisfied. Hell, such is their adoration for this band the Japanese will erect a Kai Hansen monument the next they visit their shores. Superbly produced and graced with another stunning piece of cover art, ‘Majestic’ is quality Euro Power Metal. It’s still exudes song writing integrity and an energetic enthusiasm that the genre needs. Without it, this form of music very quickly becomes a cringe worthy parody. Yes, ‘Majestic’ doesn’t quite hit the heights of ‘Somewhere out in Space’ and it does revert to type a bit too often, however, it is nevertheless another quality Gamma Ray album that current fans can approach with complete confidence.

note: 8

Tracklist

My Temple
Fight
Strange World
Hell Is Thy Home
Blood Religion
Condemned To Hell
Spiritual Dictator
Majesty
How Long
Revelation