Gamma Ray are pretty much an institution in power metal terms, many albums are considered classics right from their debut to some of their material released during the difficult 90’s (or so some bands call it). ‘Empire of the Undead’ is the latest opus from them with Kai Hansen’s vocals being especially stronger for this release; they are certainly powerful and have a good range. Some tracks take on influences as far reaching as Queen (vocal harmonies on ‘Time for Deliverance’ for example), there are touches of Deep Purple and of course Accept and other German metal monsters.
However, there is something missing with this album, it is good for what it is but it doesn’t jump out and grab me, it sounds understated, a little too easy for this group of musicians perhaps which could be related to the production more than anything. Whilst I wouldn’t go as far as saying it’s a safe release, there are plenty of bits and bobs of everything included far removed from their first album material I grant you that, I simply expected more, it’s too mature if you take my meaning. Based on other countrymen’s releases in the same genre lately and last year, I feel this should show more dominance, and it doesn’t but it grows on their last couple of efforts to the bands credit after a recharge of their batteries.
The opening track is rather long at over 9 minutes, that’s ‘Avalon’, but a track like ‘Seven’ quickly pulls matters back to a more palatable power metal fix. The album title track is also pretty cool musically but the vocals or rather the melody of the vocals during the chorus again screams understatement and I know this is good, this is my conundrum.
This is not a bad album, but I expected more, it misses a massive in your face spark of energy. It’s still not going to lower the overall quality control standards of Gamma Ray, but I find the album somewhat disappointing for a band of this stature, whilst some peers may revel in its merit, I am not totally convinced.
(6.5/10 Paul Maddison)
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