After four years, Gamma Ray return with 'Majestic', their 8th studio work (if not counting re-recorded stuff). It's been a long wait, so how they can respond to fans' expectations? At least Fangface is grinning on the cover, so...

As a fan, I can say Gamma Ray have released a fine piece of German metal. I bought 'Sigh no More' back in 1991, when it was released and after that, it was mighty 'Powerplant' (1999) I got next. It was great to discover the band for the second time. 'No World Order' from 2001 is another gem. I find 'Majestic' is a mixture between the two previous studio albums. The band have returned to more diverse song writing again. Actually, at first this album sounded too huge and left me a bit baffled. Subsequent listenings have proved that 'Majestic' is a grower and it has grown into a massive pleasure trip. But when compared to 'No World Order', this grew on me faster like 'Powerplant' did. Gamma Ray's melodic heavy/power metal is the work of geniuses. 7 out of 10 songs are "perfect" in my opinion. A very good percentage on any album, eh?! Only multi-parted 'Revelation' is a song I rarely listen to, as I find it uninteresting for some reason(s) that's not clear to me. Gamma Ray do not renew metal, not really even their own sound, but the way it is, I'm not complaining.

It is wrong to call Gamma Ray a power metal band, because they happen to have a huge amount of heavy metal in their music. Plus bits of speed metal, hard rock, symphonic song writing, even pop music. Even if they haven't renewed metal, they have individuality and edge, the x-factor. Maybe it's the catchniness of the music that made me mention "pop". When talking about catchy, even the bloody guitar solos are incredibly catchy, each and everyone of 'em. The band seem to have forgotten all those "humorous" songs they recorded in the past and that suits me. If there's something, it must be that 'Black Sabbath' bit on the first song, but I think it should be taken as a tribute. But the Käse factor is way less smaller than usually in metal of this ilk.

The band is in the top form. Feels like it's 1985 again actually, thanks to huge amount of energy the band submits. Kai Hansen rips it up (as are his band mates, this is really the definite line-up), both vocally and on guitar. His vocals are pretty venomous at times. Lyrics are darker than usually in the past, but so is the world! The lyrics are okay, at times quite cheesy, but what the heck, it's part of this all. Choruses are usually sung by a choir, as you might have guessed, and these are memorable. Sound-wise this is loud, powerful and clean, but not too polished.

In short: 'Majestic' is what its title says. The danger of infection from ultra-catchy music is extremely high here. "Grab yer air guitar, bang yer fist and shout out loud those words" type stuff, you love it or you don't. Fucking powerful German metal from Gamma Ray again, that should be enough to you all. One of the best of 2005 and now I'm wondering, if this is the best ever Gamma Ray album!

Rating: 9 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
10/21/2005 11:57