I think I know what’s going on here now. Mr. Cummings opens his post, sees German power metal and then sends it to me. Fair enough, for in many ways, that is indeed the bag that I’m into. I have to say though that Gamma Ray have never found themselves on my play lists with the regularity of some of their compatriots and when I saw Kai Hansen play with Stormwarrior at Bloodstock in 2005 I was somewhat under whelmed. Land of the Free Pt. II however has a certain cheeky charm to it and, perhaps most importantly, some cracking tunes. Quite a lot of cracking tunes actually.
 
My personal fave is Empress written by stickman Dan Zimmermann who also plays with Freedom Call and I could easily see this one fitting onto a Freedom Call record. That’s right it’s happy power metal time with a side order of cheese. Look away now if you don’t want to see the result. From the Ashes is just soooooooooo Iron Maiden it’s untrue but you know what? It doesn’t matter because the whole thing is done with such panache it’s difficult to dislike this record unless a) you don’t like power metal or b) you do like power metal but you’d like Gamma Ray to suddenly turn into Dream Theater.
 
Yes, Kai Hansen isn’t the best vocalist around by any stretch of the imagination but the tunes are excellent, Zimmermann must have two-stroke motor attached to his feet and in the epic, twelve minute Insurrection Gamma Ray have produced one of the most erm, epic pieces of metal of 2007. It’s not quite as good as Helloween’s newie but it more than satisfies and when Hansen utters the immortal line, “and where the fuck is my Superman outfit?” one can’t help but smile.
 
Land of the Free II clocks in at over sixty-five minutes but doesn’t feel flabby. It feels lean, well built and powerful. Hansen almost plagiarizes himself on I Want Out, sorry The Real World but let us be honest here, originality has never been the key feature in this genre has it? The record sounds great as well it should being mixed by Tommy Newton (hey, he mastered it as well) and if you feel that you haven’t had your fill of Helloween related metal in 2007 buy and enjoy.

Let us know your views on Land Of The Free Pt. II

Track Listing

Into The Storm
From The Ashes
Rising Again
To Mother Earth
Rain
Leaving Hell
Empress
When The World
Opportunity
Real World
Hear Me Calling
Insurrection

Line Up

Henjo Richter - Guitars
Kai Hansen - Guitars/Vocals
Daniel Zimmermann - Drums
Dirk Schlächter - Bass