Gamma Ray

[1928]

All right, what's everyone's opinion on these legends of power metal?

Even though they're one of the staple power metal bands to listen to and one of the first bands I ever heard, I never really got into them until recently. I own Land of the Free II which was my first Gamma Ray album, but Fight and Heading for Tomorrow were the first songs I ever listened to, years and years ago. I've been looking at other albums to pick up, and I'm leaning towards Land of the Free, Somewhere Out In Space, Power Plant, and Majestic.

This topic brought to you by the Gamma Ray concert Laura and I are attending next week. RedFox is going to be there too - maybe we'll get a group photo with Kai

edit: I hear they play covers of Kai-era Helloween songs... I'm really looking forward to those!

 

[moleSG]

The only Gamma Ray CD I have is No World Order, which is good, I'd definitely recommend it if you haven't got it already - check out the tracks Heaven or Hell, Damn the Machine, and maybe Dethrone Tyranny to get a sample of what it's like.

I was looking into getting another Gamma Ray CD when I ordered Helloween, but the restriction on cash means I can't buy anything I want at a whim.

 

[fraserwatt1990]

I have literally been meaning to buy Power Plant for several years - should probably get on that soon!

 

[Philomelle]

I've been listening to Gamma Ray exclusively for the past couple days so I can learn the lyrics in time for the show.

 

[1928]

I've been listening to Gamma Ray exclusively for the past couple days so I can learn the lyrics in time for the show.

Yea, I've been trying to learn the songs I don't know, too. I'm a little disappointed that they haven't played anything from Land of the Free 2 in their most recent shows, but oh well..

 

[dreamchaser]

Gamma Ray is cool although I haven't listened to them lately.

 

[Indestructible]

I've heard a few Gamma Ray songs, but to be honest I prefer other power metal bands over Gamma Ray.

 

[Symphony]

I've been a Kai Hansen fan since I first heard Helloween's "Walls of Jericho" back in '85!

Gamma Ray....I really like the "No World Order" "Powerplant" and "Majestic" albums......but I think "Somewhere out in Space" may be my favourite. "To the Metal" wasn't bad either!

 

[Power_Metal_Dom]

I've done Gamma Ray an injustice by only really giving my attention to No World Order and their latest release, To the Metal (which is brilliant). Kai Hansen is a legend and I've adored what he does since Walls of Jericho and of course both the Keepers. His guest spots are fantastic as well with BG and Avantasia. I owe it to check out Gamma Ray's back catalogue more closely...Powerplant seems to be getting a lot of praise. If you get a photo with Kai I would explode with jealousy!

 

[mr NOT]

Been a fan since Kai left Helloween; despite the fact he is a great musician, very nice guy.

Heading for tomorrow with Ralf Scheepers (lead singer of Primal Fear) is definetely one to recommend. Although it is not a representation of how gammaray sounds right now.

Their known best albums are Somewhere out in space & Powerplant, although my alltime favourite is land of the free (pt 1) get those 3 and you're good to go
And if you can get your hands on alive '95 you got one of the best live albums ever made on your hands.

 

[Symphony]

Hey mr NOT! Welcome to the PQ forum brother!

 

[mr NOT]

thx ! you guys rock

Get your asses to the Netherlands !

 

[Kingface]

Glad I don't feel alone in being someone who really likes what they've heard from Gamma Ray so far but unfortunately hasn't done enough exploring of their back catologue yet!

I've got and listened to Land of the Free and To The Metal, of which I'm very impressed by both.

 

[Cronopio]

Land of the Free, Somewhere Out In Space, Power Plant.

Those three are my favorite Gamma Ray albums and thus very good choices. Not only because I love them, but because I think they represent the bands sound pretty well. And they've all got some of their greatest material. If I had to pick but one it would be Somewhere Out In Space, which may be an odd choice for some, but to me it's got so many good songs ("Beyond The Black Hole", "No Stranger (Another Day In Life)", "Guardians Of Mankind" (killer song!), "Pray", "The Winged Horse" and "Rising Star/Shine On".)

The last couple of albums haven't retained that stellar quality they late 90's albums had, but they're still very good.

Also get Heading For Tomorrow if you have the opportunity. as mr NOT said, they don't really sound like that now, and I think the only song they play from that album nowadays is "The Silence", but it has some great tunes ("Heaven Can Wait" comes to mind, the chorus is pure Germanometallia). Oh and the album cover is so damn cheesy it's worth owning solely because of that.

On a side note: Kai Hansen seems to be such a swell dude too. Have only seen them live once, but it looked like he was enjoying the hell out of the evening.

 

[Andiferum]

Ramma Gay are made of awesome.

 

[Indestructible]

Ramma Gay

 

[Cronopio]

Why the popcorn?

 

[Indestructible]

Why you ask?

 

[Cronopio]

Because I want to know. How hard could it really be?

 

[Indestructible]

I also want to know many things dude, and I don't ask people, because if I did, they would think I'm ignorant.

Edit: PMed you why man.