Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Gamma Ray
Label: Noise Records
Release: 1999
Rating: 5/5
That’s it. Everything that could possibly come together on one record does. A perfect ten on the exam. If “Somewhere Out In Space” was a fantastic predecessor that radiated chemistry between the band members, “Powerplant” goes even further. The sound production is improved, Kai sings even better, and the music combined with the poetry is even more cohesive and impressive. In short, the overall impression the record leaves is even stronger than its predecessor’s. No beating around the bush: it deserves the superlative “masterpiece”.
Why is it stronger than its predecessor? First, Kai’s vocals. That distinctive tone, that distinctive singing – this time more colorful than ever before. Full of sadness, despair, pain and anger. How colorful? Just compare the songs “Heavy Metal Universe”, “Send Me A Sign” and “Short As Hell”. And listen to how passionately he announces “Armaggedon”. It’s easily the most fascinating creation on the disc, packing in all of Gamma Ray’s virtues and the best possible version of the musical balance the band develops. The trademark picking between the guitars’ basic riffing, the signature layered backing vocal lines and the impressive keyboards, together with the cohesive, constantly shifting rhythms and melodies, create a rich atmospheric mood that stays perfectly balanced the whole way through. Kai brings ice into the music with his voice. Picture hell freezing over. Flawless musical melody and the icy chill of Hansen’s singing, fused together. The poetry comes alive. The poetry of Judgment Day, of the day of enlightenment, telling us that life lived in lies, in fear and in boundless malice is nearing its end, reflected in the final madness of Earthlings and leading to the inevitable armageddon.
“Anywhere In The Galaxy” is the embodiment of this perfection and a proper opening “headbanger”. It’s followed by the melancholic mid-tempo songs “Razorblade Sigh” and “Send Me A Sign”. A fantastic combination of keyboards, riffing that eases off in places (even that is meant as a positive, since there’s hardly a moment on the record where they don’t pick something to pieces) and, of course, the all-pervading melancholic feeling they leave behind. “Sad Wings Of Destiny” with Russian-sounding melodies in the chorus, the furious “Gardens Of The Sinner”, or the perfect cover of techno-dance legends Pet Shop Boys (“It’s A Sin”). All of this proves that “Powerplant” is a constantly dynamic and varied puzzle across the board. So with the instantly recognizable sound they carry as a band, Gamma Ray have exceeded expectations after just two years.
Lineup
Kai Hansen – vocals, guitar
Henjo Richter – guitar, keyboards
Dirk Schlächter – bass guitar
Dan Zimmermann – drums
Production
Kai Hansen & Dirk Schlächter
Track list
1. Anywhere In The Galaxy (6:35)
2. Razorblade Sigh (5:00)
3. Send Me A Sign (4:05)
4. Strangers In The Night (6:04)
5. Gardens Of The Sinner (5:55)
6. Short As Hell (3:55)
7. It’s A Sin (4:57)
8. Heavy Metal Universe (5:23)
9. Wings Of Destiny (6:24)
10. Hand Of Fate (6:07)
11. Armageddon (8:44)
