Gamma Ray To The Metal
by John Kindred
Staff Writer
Studio album No. 10 for Gamma Ray lends very little originality when comes to its title, To The Metal. Although, being the band’s 10th studio album in 21 years, does say something about the band’s longevity and fan base. Band founder, Kai Hansen, continues to write, record and tour. Performing a genre of music that he helped shape into what is known today as Power Metal. Together, with his band mates, Dirk Schlächter (b), Henjo Richter (g) and Daniel Zimmermann (d), Gamma Ray continue to forge ahead delivering their brand of Metal.
To The Metal is a simplified expression to whatever Metal God or Gods the band bows their heads to. Their new album pays tribute with 10 songs that are part traditional Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal and Power Metal. The music also displays the band’s own Metal influences.
Gamma Ray seems to face criticism from their fans and especially media outlets covering the band’s most recent albums. Quite often, Kai Hansen’s voice is under fire for lacking the quality of some of Metal’s highly regarded singers. And fans have called for Hansen to pass the microphone off to a legitimate contender. Through all the critique, more often then not, his vocals fit the style of the band and the music. He is not going to win the American Idol competition any time soon, even the majority of his peers would lack the ability to win that award alone on stage, without the music or their band behind them.
To The Metal fits the mold of all we know and love about Gamma Ray. Their bombastic approach is loud, energetic and full of bone-crushing rhythms with some of the finest guitar solos of the modern age of Metal. Yeah, the song To The Metal steals much from Judas Priest, but is it theft or a tipping of the hat to their own heroes? After all these years, originality isn’t as important as skill and the ability to write great songs. There are only so many different ways to play power chords.
There is a lot of personality throughout the CD. The closing track “No Need to Cry,” a song written by Dirk Schlächter, is an introspective look at his personal loss of his father. The chorus is uplifting and very powerful. “All You Need to Know” features another Helloween alumnus, Michael Kiske, sharing vocal duties with Hansen. Several songs provide a strong Thrash Metal groove such as “Shine Forever,” “All You Need to Know,” while others lean heavily on traditional metal arrangements like “Mother Angel” and “Chasing Shadows,” while all songs include their Power Metal influences.
To The Metal truly is product of Gamma Ray. It was co-produced by Hansen and Schlächter, who also recorded the album, and let’s not forget the contributions of Henjo Richter and Zimmermann. Both deliver phenomenal guitar solos and keyboard melodies (Richter) and furious, thunderous drumming (Zimmermann). To The Metal is a complete album that awaits head bangers to simply put the CD in their player and hit play. Very metal, To The Metal, is an enjoyable listen, featuring all the elements that make the genre of music special to diehard fans.
Label: earMusic
Band:
Kai Hansen (v)(g)
Henjo Richter (g)(k)
Dirk Schlächter (b)
Dan Zimmermann (d)
Track Listing:
1. Empathy
2. All You Need To Know
3. Time To Live
4. To The Metal
5. Rise
6. Mother Angel
7. Shine Forever
8. Deadlands
9. Chasing Shadows
10. No Need To Cry
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10