Artist: Gamma Ray
Title: Skeletons & Majesties
Genre: Power Metal/ Heavy Metal
Release Date: 30th November 2012
Label: earMusic
Album Review
"Gamma Ray will have top priority in 2013," comments Hansen, "and 'Skeletons & Majesties Live' is the perfect harbinger of this!"
Thus this release has been heralded earlier on. Obviously then this live show from Pratteln (Switzerland) has a purpose like any other release of such kind: to whet the interest for what is to come and to keep the connection between the band and fans alive, let alone to provide an introduction to new fans. Apart from the well-known/ well-loved songs it takes us through few cover songs, rare, and acoustic songs and a guest appearance of HELLOWEEN’s Michael Kiske (‘Time To Break Free’, ‘A While In Dreamland’ and ‘Future World’). All of these elements provide a mixture that is sure to make their fans pleased. The CD part of the ‘Skeletons & Majesties’ is nearly two hours long Heavy Metal bonanza.
Though it’s taken from a live show the production of it turned it into an affair played only for you rather than for the fans then present – you hardly hear them, just in few faint echoes – so the chemistry between the fans and the band is reduced to the question of its existence between the band and the individual listener of this release. If you’re a die-hard fan of course you will love it. If not, if you lean towards a more classical Heavy Metal it’ll be there for you as well for sure, if not, there’ll be time when it’ll lose you along the way with few peaks along here and there to still keep it. The acoustic songs certainly represent one of such peaks and ‘A While In Dreamland’ are another in terms of an interesting duet between Kiske and Hansen. However even some belters had warmed up the blood such as ‘Insurrection’ or ‘Time To Break Free’ with its rocky edge between the lukewarm interludes.
Tracklist
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CD1 |
CD2 |
Line-up
Kai Hansen – rhythm & lead guitar, vocals
Henjo Richter – lead & rhythm guitar, keyboards
Dirk Schlächter – bass
Michael Ehré – drums
Websites
http://www.gammaray.org / https://www.facebook.com/gammarayofficial
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Total: 7.5 / 10
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