Gamma Ray
Land of the Free II

December 2007
Released: 2007, SPV/Steamhammer/Border Music
Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewer: Anders Sandvall

Kai Hansen and Co. are back with a new studio album. Just like other major acts, Gamma Ray is following up an old album - in this case LAND OF THE FREE from 1995. Hansen says “We said to ourselves, why not write part II seeing that people keep comparing our releases to Land I anyway.”

If you’ve heard Gamma Ray before you probably know what you’re going to get. The music is fast and dynamic melodic power metal loaded with energy, electricity and passion. This time the band doesn’t use any keyboards; instead they’ve increased the use of guitars, which I’m really glad about. Hansen’s lead vocals and sharp, fast guitar riffs are in focus and he’s backed up by a brilliant rhythm section that knows exactly how to deliver rock-hard beats.

The album contains 12 tracks and the final song clocks in at almost 12 minutes. The other songs are extremely solid and it’s really hard to find anything negative about the album at all. This is what melodic power metal ought to sound like. The production made by the band is just as strong as the material and all the proper components are in place. The musical landscape sounds solid and the band has done an amazing job getting the album in such great shape.

LAND OF THE FREE II is an excellent album and a great follow up to the first album; all fans are gonna love this and I’ll bet Gamma Ray is gonna win a lot of new fans with this disc. This is one of those albums you have to own - it’s the perfect Christmas gift for every metalhead. The band hit the road at the end of November on a tour with Helloween and Axxis.