GAMMA RAY: Powerplant (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

As the 6th album of Gamma Ray, "Powerplant" keeps the same guideline established for two albums, that is to say a melodic speed metal tinged with heavy-metal with a darker aspect a little more present. The superb cover by Derek Riggs, reminds the one of Iron Maiden's "Powerslave", and gives the record an additional strength, its warm colors bringing him a kind of benevolent aura.

It all starts with "Anywhere In The Galaxy", an excellent speed metal track, very direct as the band knows how to do it, quite dark and with an unstoppable and very well brought chorus. Then comes one of the great tracks of the disc, namely "Razorblade Sigh", which evolves in a rather speed vein but a little less fast and very varied. The track is reinforced by a rather different vocal, more composed especially on the chorus. The result is excellent and gives the track an irresistible aspect. With "Send Me A Sign", we have to deal with the easy and direct hit, written by the guitarist Henjo Richter, with an unforgettable melody and a well highlighted bass line.

With "Strangers In The Night" and "Gardens Of The Sinner", the band, and mainly drummer Dan Zimmermann who wrote almost all of them, offers darker and heavier tracks. The first one is a perfect mix between aggressiveness (the vocals on the verses are very fast and violent), and melody with a very aerial and epic chorus and central break. "Gardens Of The Sinner" is a more mid-tempo track, less immediate than the previous ones, but very fresh and nice, highlighting again the vocals of Kai Hansen.

Gamma Ray then offers an excellent replay of "It's A Sin", one of the Pet Shop Boys' hits. The title is little modified and Hansen shows himself very comfortable. Then, the band doesn't give up for a second and offers us first an excellent "Heavy Metal Universe", close to Manowar, then "Wings Of Destiny" and "Hand Of Fate", two very good speed metal tracks, very varied musically, dark and epic. The album ends with "Armaggedon", a great track of more than eight minutes, very varied and powerful with an unstoppable chorus and an epic versus in its second part.

"Powerplant" is the album of the consecration for Gamma Ray and without any doubt one of his best records if not the best of all his career. It is also a jewel of heavy speed metal called to sit with the best records of the genre, and in any case an essential for any fan of the genre. - Official website

GAMMA RAY

POWERPLANT

NOISE

HEAVY METAL