'No World Order' is Gamma Ray's take on 1980s, Judas Priest -style, rolling metal, but not just that alone. Kai Hansen's last work with Iron Savior is 'Dark Assault' from 2000. This here record sounds like a mixture between 'Powerplant' (1999) and Iron Savior's more straight metal ethics, so it makes me wonder whether Mr. Hansen misses his contribution in that other band of his.

The songs on offer aren't as twisting as previously (well, not on 'Powerplant' [1999] anyway, but more twisting than on the older ones anyway) and they don't include quite as many parts any more. The most of the songs are very solid and full-on metal pieces. A lot of mid-paced double kick drum work can be heard and the band sounds, well, German... Drive of the music is very important and some of these ten pieces ('Induction' is an intro) are like prime examples of this, e.g. 'The Heart of the Unicorn', 'Heaven or Hell', 'Solid' etc. The band's hit potential is huge, but they do not wander off into "overly sweet", or rather "overly melodic" in this case, territory for the biggest part of the album. During all this listening in the 12 months or so my favourite track changes every now and then. A sign of a great album, I think. If these songs won't stick to your brain, I'm baffled! Riffs, solos (12 fucking minutes of them, count 'em!!!), melodies, vocals, everything is simply the work of geniuses. Even though that this is infectious and clearly somewhat hit material, it is heavier than many of the bands in same genre. Gamma Ray keep synth out of their music for a big part. A clever thing to do.

One thing that puzzles me is that why on earth there must be a ballad-esque song included on every bloody German power metal album?!?! 'Lake of Tears' is this album's closer and a slow song. Now here is a good example of the band going into that "overly sweet" stuff. And Gamma Ray have this kind of mishaps in their previous works, too (such as 'Pray' on 'Somewhere out in Space' from 1997, but this isn't that bad, not even close). But, as +90% of the album is simply bloody great metal music, I can forgive the band. 'Lake...' is the only weaker song in my ears on this record, but it's not a weak one either. But some parts might be too familiar and a good example of this is the chorus of 'Follow Me'.

'No World Order' is a theme album about world-wide conspiracies. The story never interested me very much, I must confess. What is more important with the lyrics are very memorable and great choruses. Gamma Ray possesses an ability to create those for their every album. They are usually sung in a choir, which is another characteristic of the German power metal. Mr. Hansen's voice is very high and at first, I had first some trouble to get used to his "helium vocals"! 'Powerplant' was my first GR record after many years since I bought 'Sigh no More' in 1991 when it was released and as you might know, Ralf Scheepers sings of it (Primal Fear etc.). But, sometimes Kai's voice soars so high it still annoys me a bit. Maybe I'll never get used to it... My problem. Playing is professional, but never self-admiring. Sound is clear with every instrument audible in the mix, even though it could be a tad more punchy. However, as it was made by the band members, it is a fantastic achievement. This has also the best cover artwork of all Gamma Ray stuff, ever, painted by Hervé Monjeaud.

I don't listen to German power metal much, so it is easy to say that this album climbs very high in a list of my favourite records in this genre. Metal with great drive and definitely one of the best GR albums!

Still in aftershock! (January 29th 2005): This review was written in 29th of August 2003. Now, over a year later, I've noticed how much I love this album. This is classic-grade metal music. But as AM grants classic stamp only 5 year-old stuff, this gets an honourable mention! 'No World Order' seems to get better and better with time.

Rating: 9 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
01/29/2005 20:27