Somewhere Out In Space

1) Beyond the Black Hole
2) Men, Martians and Machines
3) No Stranger
4) Somewhere Out In Space
5) The Guardians of Mankind
6) The Landing
7) Valley of the Kings
8) Pray
9) The Winged Horse
10) Cosmic Chaos
11) Lost In The Future
12) Watcher In The Sky
13) Rising Star
14) Shine On

Holy Shit!!!  What is this!!!!  Well its a little band called Gamma Ray! Be prepared...this is speed metal...meaning...if you listen to this, you will quickly start feeling violent...just don't trash too much stuff in the area while listening to this, the damages could really get up there.  This cd starts with a huge BANG and keeps the frenetic pace throughout the entire cd, the band only slows the tornadic whirlwind pace down just a notch for a couple of songs, but that notch is so miniscule you probably won't even notice.  Headbangers beware, you will probably throw your neck out and have to be hospitilized after banging to this stuff.  Gamma Ray is a very talented band, and truly perform music that is a powerful burst of pure energy.  And they can definitely play!  The drums put the thunder gods to shame, and the guitar is scorching, the bass booms angrily and the vocals are just perfect, with very aggressive tones sometimes....but mostly very melodic, which can be quite strange since the music is so purely pounding.    For those into the wussy Springfield/Journey hard rock stuff, and who worship Jack Blades of Night Ranger, those hard rockers better stay away from this, because Gamma Ray does NOT perform hard rock, this is HEAVY, BOMBASTIC, HUGE SOUNDING SPEED METAL.   You got that?  But I like Night Ranger okay and really enjoyed this unleash of pure energy...so I suggest giving it a listen, its very different. 

1)  Beyond the Black Hole ---I guarantee this will become a speed metal classic.  I'm not that familiar with the subgenre, and don't even particularly like it in general, but this blew me away the first time I heard it.  It sets the mood for the entire album and just kicks ass, the energy shown on this is phenomenal, and now I see why vocalist/guitarist/and bandleader Kai Hansen is practically worshipped in the power metal/progressive circles.  He is a killer song writer, guitarist AND vocalist.  His vocals fit perfectly with this assault of sound. 

2) Men, Martians and Machines---it took awhile for this to grow on me, but when it did, I was hooked permenantly.  The chanting of the title is enough to make any metal head attempt to chant along, and I know anyone that hears this will *not* be able to sit still for a second.  A very intense song that pounds along at a very quick pace, just like the first track.  During one of the final chantings of "man martians and machines"  the "gonna getcha" thing in the background just really just helps make this even better and more likely to stick in your head.

3) No Stranger---Ohhhh yeah, I love songs like this.  For some reason it reminds me of a Dio song, probably because of the huge epic sound, which is toned down just a little, and is more of a fist pumping anthem than a jump-around-the-room-like-a-nut speedy song.  The building guitars and soaring vocals that break into the song's solo in the middle of the tune is very nice, and just seems to echo the grand feeling created by this gem, which is sped up a bit to kickstart the song even more, before settling back into the anthem sound with guitar squealing along in the background. 

4) Somewhere Out In Space--- Very fast pounding guitar begin this song, which settles itself into a even speedier tempo, that gives the speakers a workout.  The chorus is more in the epic power metal sound, but as soon as it ends it breaks back into the speed sound, there is a nice part that includes some awesome shred action and some very headbangable drum rhythms.  This rounds out to be one of my favorite songs on the album, with its exchange between the addicting epic sounds and the absolutely destructive speed sound, makes it one of the best songs of 1997.

5) The Guardians of Mankind--- I really enjoyed this song...but after the first few listens.  It doesn't have anything that really sets it apart from the others, but makes a decent filler for the album...its not *really* quite filler material, however, because, trust me, alot of band pray every night that they could come up with something as good as this, but after hearing the groundbreaking and glass shattering first few cuts, this one comes as a disappointment, at least the first few listens....then you pick up all of the fantastic little guitar riffs and the super fast drumming...Dan Zimmerman is a very impressive drummer, and seems to add just what is needed to these songs. 

6) The Landing ---  this has that extra something that just makes you think "oh my this is soooo cool!!!!"  Metal fanatics will rejoice after hearing this, and randomly saying "They found a planet with perfect survival conditions, a lower lifeform called humans, consider them gods, from somewhere out of space" will really freak most everyone out.  Try it at a party sometime, or the next family get together.  The singing parts of this just rule...its SO addictive!!!!  Listen to it, you'll agree.   The vocal part gives way to speaking, which gives light to the storyline a bit...but be prepared....

7) Valley of the Kings--- If the last song didn't rise your adrenaline any, this definitely will get it going and the blood pumping through the veins.  Most any metal fan that appreciates awesome epic songs with an easily recognizable rhythm pierced by keyboards, will love this. It just screams greatness.  I love it!

8) Pray---This is the only song that made it to the final version of this album, that could be classified as a ballad.  Its a pure cry for hope in a situation that seems to just call out into the darkness for that ray of light.  The drums at the opening sound almost military like with keyboard softening it up and a bit of relaxing guitar, before Kai's vocals continue on with the story. 

9)  The Winged Horse---  I have listened to this many times and still don't consider it to be as good as the rest of the album, despite its Michael Schenker-esque meldoic guitar opening.   (eek don't flame me for that comparison!)  This song quickly dumps that approach for the more headbangable speed rhythms.  Good but I feel it could have been better. 

10) Cosmic Chaos--- In the lyrics with the cd the description is "drums from outerspace"  and that is exactly what it is.  It also serves as a bridge between cut 9 and the next little Gamma tune.

11)Lost In The Future--- HEADBANG time!!!!  The manical laughter at the beginning of this song draw you right into the feel of it, and the roughly delivered lines by Kai showcases a different tone to his voice.  It is a very solid sounding song, but just seems average UNTIL something absolutely insane happens, which makes you say "what in the hell?!?!"  the entire song is stalled so they can break into a guitar version of....Oh Suzanna..(!?!?!?!??!?)  yep, you can point at the speakers in disbelief all day, but that IS what they played and for some reason it fits! Maybe I'm losing my mind, maybe I have heard so many metal songs that this little brief dose of insanity catches my attention and holds it, but it certainly WILL make you remember this.  Cheers for adding that!!

12) Watcher In The Sky--- Watcher has its interesting moments but still sounds like standard Gamma fare.  It does sound better cranked all the way however, but by this far through the cd, I am sure the speakers are cranked all the way, and the neighbors have called several times begging and pleading for a reduce in volume.  Oh well, you know they are really enjoying it too and just won't admit it....

13) Rising Star --- Gentle yet ominous tinkering keyboard chiming tinker sounds are followed by heavier synthesizer plodding along in the background, only to be shattered by rolling drums and even more epic keyboard sounds which builds to guitar that spirals upward and upward until it breaks into the next song....simply a short intro to the final one.

14) Shine On--- It begins furiously with the standard...well you know...speedy sound...but then surprises the listener with a very melodic and wellpaced vocal track, that really showcases the difference between the pounding drums and the rich vocals. The sound that you get used to is replaced by a whispering and very sweet sounding vocal track and piano sounds so dramatic and unexpected.  then the chrous kicks in minus the galloping drums, it builds it up to a grand finish, with a huge background legion giving it an extra depth and contrasts against Kai's own voice, which seems to trade spotlights back and forth with the legions and then it all comes to an end, with a bit of feedback and a slight tap...and this journey has ended. 

The conclusion:  This is a very intense album, and a headbangers delight.  I have heard few albums that have made me feel such an urge to crank my speakers up than this one has.  It absolutely rocks.   If you are looking for something with speed, power, and an occasional moving song or two.  and I mean occasional! (yeah speed, but if you have heard this, or plan to, you will know what I mean! either now or eventually!)  I highly recommend this, *as I do with most albums I review lately*  It sounds like nothing else in my collection, and has earned instant classic status with me.  (I just love that part in the first track with the subconscious headbanging part, it just forces me to crank it all the way when that begins.  YES!) 

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