 GAMMA
RAY
Skeletons in the Closet
Noise Records 2004
www.gamma-ray.com
What's the 4-1-1?
Special double live album by the German power metal legends. The set list
was picked exclusively by their fans via their official website. The track
listing represents songs that have rarely or never been performed live
during the band's thirteen year career.
Genre
Heavy metal / power metal
The Good
Whether it's the nine minute epic "Armageddon" with its lightning
quick dual guitar attack, the Queen-like power ballad "The Silence",
or the power metal blues riffing on "New World Order", one thing
is clear about Gamma Ray, they always present consistent and enjoyable heavy
metal music. Sure they have some strange topic to sing about, mostly sci-fi
stuff, but that's the genre. Only in power metal could you get away with
the title "Heart of the Unicorn". Frontman Kai Hansen vocals are
so gritty and the music is so frantic, you can forgive him for the subject
matter. Gamma Ray packs all their songs with plenty of chugga-chugga riffing
on the low E string, melodic vocals, powerful choruses, movie epic harmonies,
rapid guitar solos, and double kick drums. You'd think that this formula
would get kind of old after a while, but each song is unique and never boring. "Rich
and Famous" was a b-side from one of their earlier albums. The high
pitched opening riff is sure to stick with you. Gamma Ray rallies the crowd
with "Heavy Metal Universe". You can hear the crowd feed off the
group’s energy as they sing along. Be sure to listen to the fluid solo
work "Razor blade Sigh" and "Rising Star/Shine On". Also
included in the double CD set are video clips for two of the songs performed
live.
The Bad
This album was released a year and a half ago overseas. Please save the drum
solos for the show, keep them off the CD. I'm sure the fans didn't vote
for it.
The Verdict
When you let your fans pick the set list, you know it's going to be made
up of songs not normally played live of heard on the radio. This is always
a treat for the fans. If you’re not a fan, don't let this discourage
you. Skeletons in the Closet is a great collection of songs by one of the
best power metal groups out there. What else can you say about a group
who’s rare and B material is just as great as their A material?
Did you know?
Guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen originally played lead guitar for fellow power-metallers
Helloween.
Rating:  out
of 5
--George Dionne
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