Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Gamma Ray
Label: Noise Records
Released: 1995
Rating: 4/5
Apparently the band hit a particularly springy rock bottom of music-making with “Insanity And Genius”, because “Land Of The Free” in 1995 was a complete turning point for them and catapulted them out of hell and straight into heaven. The guys obviously realized you don’t get far dancing to notes dictated by somebody else. Chasing trends was finally behind them. On top of that, one more important thing happened. Ralf Scheppers went his own way, and to the great approval of the band’s followers, none other than Kai Hansen himself took over the vocals. The band became a quartet again.
For most people, probably still one of the most beloved and most respected Gamma Ray records to this day, it put the band back on the old tracks of flawless power metal. With it, Gamma Ray earned, with bloody hands, the status of one of the finest power metal bands of our time on European soil. And what’s so stunning about it? Bombs of the noblest riffing follow one after another. In the songs they’ve found that fantastic balance again, the one that adorned the debut too. Complicated, but just enough not to come off as overcomplicated. That’s the key. And once again, killer choruses. So yes, the real Hansen high-voltage riffing was born again. The guitarist stepped back into the brightest light and shredded out his solos the way only Kai can. Tasteful and one of a kind, they sit right in the songs. Every single track features those recognizable three-part harmonies that are a staple of the band even today. The riffs are mostly peppered with notes, just like Hansen used to do in Helloween. In short, Gamma Ray speed, speed, and nothing but speed. Of course, Kai can’t possibly compete with Ralf when it comes to vocal power, but anyone who knows “Walls Of Jericho” knows what Kai brings to the music on vocals. A special feel. Rage, pure rage. So the polished melodies, flowing perfectly through constantly shifting motifs, got a touch of anger, fury, a fateful hand nobody escapes. The vibe of the good old walls of Jericho is somehow with us again. Hansen’s performance on vocals is lived-in and aggressive. The guy really wins us over with his calls to rebellion in the verses. On top of that, he’s saved by a distinctive, instantly recognizable voice.
Gamma Ray changed the lyrics too. They carry the message that life isn’t just what we understand and perceive with our senses, but so much more. Just look at the original cover. A devastated, lifeless landscape wrapped in darkness largely stands for the present, while above it swirl the forces of universal truth, the forces of beings of pre-information, whose revelation is shielded by an impenetrable armor forged from human fear (the red glow with Fangface). And the line: “Have No Fear, Rebellion Is Here!” Really, who’s afraid of us, who? You can only win freedom for yourself!
The only (rhythm-wise) stumbling track, “Time To Break Free”, sung by M. Kiske, doesn’t quite belong on this album structurally. Otherwise, this is where classics saw the light of day, ennobled by the superlatives of Gamma Ray’s music listed above, like “Rebbelion In Dreamland”, “Man On A Mission” or the title track, which the gamma rays still have to play at gigs today.
Lineup
Kai Hansen – vocals, guitar
Dirk Schlachter – rhythm guitar, keyboards
Thomas Nack – drums, backing vocals
Jan Rubach – bass guitar
Guest musicians:
Hansi Kürsch – backing vocals on tracks 1, 7 & 9
Hacky Hackmann – backing vocals on all tracks
Catharina Boutari – backing vocals on tracks 1, 2, 4 & 11
Axel Naschke – backing vocals on tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, & 11
Thomas Nack – backing vocals on all tracks
Kai Hansen – backing vocals on tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, & 11
Michael Kiske – backing vocals on track 9, lead vocals on “Time To Break Free”
Production
Charlie Bauerfeind, Kai Hansen & Dirk Schlachter
Track List
1. Rebellion In Dreamland
2. Men On A Mission
3. Fairytale
4. All Of The Damned
5. Rising Of The Damned
6. Gods Of Deliverance
7. Farewell
8. Salvation’s Calling
9. Land Of The Free
10. The Saviour
11. Abyss Of The Void
12. Time To Break Free
13. Afterlife
