|
Far from a suitable sequel, but still an alright effort.-
|
| Gamma Ray: Land of the Free II |
Power Metal, Speed Metal
SPV Records
November 19th, 2007
- Into The Storm - 3:47
- From The Ashes - 5:26
- Rising Again - 0:27
- To Mother Earth - 5:11
- Rain - 5:16
- Leaving Hell - 4:20
- Empress - 6:22
- When The World - 5:44
- Opportunity - 7:14
- Real World - 5:42
- Hear Me Calling - 4:14
- Insurrection - 11:33
|
| Links |
| Review Information |
Release length: 1:05:16
Review posted on May 2nd, 2009
- |
|
| | Original Score: 3/5 |
 |
| Overall Score: 5.5/10 |
 |
|
|
| Discography |
Discography covers all information available up to day of review and is updated if future albums are reviewed. |
| Full-Length(s): |
Heading for Tomorrow (1990) • Sigh No More (1991) • Insanity and Genius (1993) • Land of the Free (1995)
Somewhere Out in Space (1997) • Power Plant (1999) • No World Order (2001) • Majestic (2005) • Land of the Free II (2007)
To the Metal! (2010)
|
| EP(s): |
Heading for Tomorrow (1989) • Heaven Can Wait (1990) • Silent Miracles (1996) • No World Order (Promo CD) (2001)
Skeletons and Majesties (2011)
|
| Split(s): |
Lisa Dominique (1990) • Power of Metal (1993) •
|
| Single(s): |
Space Eater (1989) • Heaven Can Wait/Mr. Outlaw (1989) • Who Do You Think You Are? (1990) • Heaven Can Wait (Flexi Disc) (1990)
The Spirit (1991) • Sigh No More (1991) • One with the World/Father and Son (1991) • Insanity and Genius (1993)
Future Madhouse (1993) • Rebellion in Dreamland (1995) • Somewhere Out in Space (1997) • Valley of the Kings (1997)
t's a Sin (1999) • Heaven or Hell (2001) • To the Metal! (2010)
|
| Compilation(s): |
The Karaoke Album (1997) • Blast from the Past (2000) • The Ultimate Collection (Box Set) (2002)
Hell Yeah! The Awesome Foursome (Box Set) (2008) • Alright! 20 Years of Universe (2010)
|
| Live CD(s): |
Alive '95 (1996) • Skeletons in the Closet (2003) • Hell Yeah! The Awesome Foursome (2008)
|
| DVD(s): |
Heading for the East (VHS) (1990) • Lust for Live (VHS) (1993) • Into the Storm (VHS) (2007)
Hell Yeah! The Awesome Foursome (2008) • Wacken Open Air 2009) (2009)
|
|
| - |
| Review |
Gamma Ray has decided to revist the days of their hit album Land Of The Free with this release, properly named Land Of The Free II. Many who have heard the first disc in this now little mini-series will know what to expect, but be aware that this happen to fall in the rather generic column as far as the music on this one goes.
Much of the album is just your typical power metal release, but at least it's done right. "Into The Storm" is a killer track comprised of riffs you probably heard before. But you also get songs like that blended with some speed metal, such as "To Mother Earth" which may remind you of Rhapsody, especially with the semi-chanted and sung chorus in unison with the keyboards, and the deep, somewhat off key royalty-esque vocals prior to it. The vocals on this song, as well as other tracks, may even remind you of the band Symphorce, especially the higher pitched ones that sound a bit forced.
But there are some good moments on the release aside the aforementioned tracks, and the absolutely pointless "Rising Again" track, and they pretty much hit all at once. The next clump of songs, from "Rain" to "Empress", are just heavier and darker tracks that sound great, and not like every other freakin' band out there every second of the song. "When The World" falls into the group of the aforementioned songs, but, while still a killer track, is not all that dark a song. But the real stand out song on this release is the extremely slow paced "Opportunity", which is more of a ballad track then anything. You'll either love it, or hate it. It does, however, seem a bit drawn out a while, and changes between slow paced ballad to upbeat power metal more times then you can count on one hand.
All in all, the album is pretty good. One wouldn't go so far to say it is a suitable "sequel", though. Much of the music on here does sound really great, it's just that much of it sounds like something you've heard in the past, and the first four tracks are perhaps the worst out of the entire album, and the two longest tracks on here just sound drawn out after a while. If you're a fan of the band, you'll probably enjoy this release. It's fast, it's heavy, and it definitely has it's darker moments, but much of it is as generic as can possibly be.
|
| - |
|
|
Physical review copy of this release provided by:
personal funds.
| Submit to Social Networks |
|
|
|
