Science Resources RSS Feeds
|
 |
 |
 |
| View Larger Image | Land of the Free | MP3 DownloadGamma Ray (Primary Contributor)
| 1 New starting at: | $7.99 |
| |
| | Binding: | MP3 Download | | Studio: | Noise | | Release Date: | May 21, 2002 | | Genre: | pop-music | | Sales Rank: | 11,849th |
|
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 16 reviews)
|
Gamma Ray's Magnum Opus....? by Jorge Ruben (West Hempstead, NY United States)  5 Stars
June 22, 2009
What can I say that already hasn't been said by everyone else? This is quite possibly Gamma Ray's magnum opus, and no other GR album has really come close to matching it.
Like another reviewer, I was a bit wary when word came out that Kai would take over on vocal duties from the leather-lunged Ralf Scheepers. It wasn't so much that Kai was bad; he wasn't, but it would have been as if Helloween had started with Michael Kiske and then went to Kai. However, it's obvious than in the years between "Walls of Jericho/Judas" to "Land of the Free", Kai has learned quite a bit about the art of singing.
Which is not to say that I don't miss Ralf Scheepers, but the fact of the matter is "Land of the Free" is one of those albums where everything just comes together perfectly and as a result there is nothing that you can pick on and say "I wish this would have been different". Dirk Schlachter finally meshes perfectly with Kai as the second guitarst, Jan Rubach and Thomas Nack are in perfect harmony as the rhythm section, and Kai finally SINGS, something that he never really did as frontman for Helloween.
I also think that one of the things that helps immensely is that Kai seemingly took over the songwriting reins on this album after ceding much of it to Scheepers, Schlachter and Uwe Wessel on the previous Gamma Ray albums. In fact, if you think about it, "Heading For Tomorrow" was, prior to this, their most cohesive album, with all of its songs (save for ONE by Scheepers) written by Kai. "Sigh No More" was a weak sophomore effort, with a mix of songs from Kai, Scheepers, Schalachter, Wessel, and even Pete Sielck making the cut on the album. "Insanity and Genius" would have been quite possibly their strongest album except for the fact that now you had Ralf, Kai and Schalchter each singing songs on the album.
It's as if Kai said "enough is enough" for "Land of the Free", and singlehandedly turned out his masterpiece. Of the 13 songs, Kai penned 9 of them, and assisted on two others. As a result, every song flows into the next, with a logical progression from "Rebellion in Dreamland" to "Afterlife" with no duds and no fillers in between. Plus there are appearances from Michael Kiske and Hansi Kürsch thrown in for good measure. How can you go wrong with that?
Unlike most bands where you would recommend picking up a compilation album to get an idea of what the band sounds like, I would recommend "Land of the Free" to someone who wants to hear power metal at its finest and Gamma Ray at its peak.
| |
Excellent Song Writing & Musicianship, But... by Andre Wade (Las Vegas, NV United States)  4 Stars
April 15, 2009
I agree that Kai Hansen is a pioneer in the world of Euro Power Metal and he is an excellent song writer and guitarist. However, I still can't get into his vocals. He's adequate but lacking, I could only imagine how this album would sound with Michael Kiske (who does vocal duties on the track "Time To Break Free" BTW; what a difference it makes), Andy Deris, Tobias Sammett, Timo Kotipelto or original vocalist Ralf Sheepers?!!!!! This excellent material deserves a stronger vocalist. Walls of Jericho is my least favorite Helloween album for this very reason. Sorry guys, I would have given it my highest rating if not for the weak lead vocals.
| |
Gamma Ray's Best by Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) 5 Stars
September 02, 2006
The crown jewel in the Gamma Ray catalog is undoubtedly 1995's Land of the Free.
After the departure of vocalist Ralf Scheepers (now in Primal Fear), Gamma Ray founder Kai Hansen assumed vocal duties, which he hadn't tried in quite some time. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed his vocals here as much as Scheepers' performance. It didn't hurt that Hansen's vocal return happened to occur on what is probably the strongest album he has written since the legendary Keeper of the Seven Keys albums. Land of the Free is a powerful album from start to finish, and while it is still very much in the melodic power metal style that Kai Hansen practically invented, it is unique enough to truly break free of Helloween's shadow. Even without the concept tying the songs together, they have a very cohesive feel. There isn't any sense of unevenness like you might find on earlier Gamma Ray albums. Standout tracks include...well, all of them really. There are no duds here. The album's highlights are the guest appearances by former Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske and Blind Guardian's Hansi Kurisch, who was returning the favor for Hansen's string of guest appearances on Blind Guardian's early albums.
I suppose it goes without saying that Gamma Ray would appeal to Helloween fans. Fans of the more recent power metal bands like Sonata Arctica, Freedom Call, Edguy and Hammerfall also owe it to themselves to check out Gamma Ray, and Land of the Free is the perfect album to start with.
| |
A true masterpiece! Considered by many Keeper part III by John (Greece) 4 Stars
January 05, 2005
Gamma Ray's finest hour! One more milestone of Power Metal after Helloween's Keeper albums! Hansen blows all his competition and Helloween's clones to the water with this one.
Kai Hansen returns with his majestic reefing, crazy leads, insane-fast solos and he is also back on vocals! Don't think for a second that this is a drawback, he has learned a lot since he recorded Walls Of Jericho, his vocals are more worked, clearer but still possess the strength to produce high pitched screams! The rest of the band is in really great form especially the drummer, who almost never lifts his foot off the double bass and pounds his tombs like crazy.
The arrangements are of epic proportions reminding of past glories and at some parts even surpassing them. The guest appearances of Michael Kiske and Hansi Kursch on 2 tracks also add to the brilliance of this release and remind you of the Keeper Of The Seven Keys albums!
"Rebellion In Dreamland" starts of the album picking up speed as it continues, mind blowing riffs and solos and really smart choruses make this track a masterpiece and the most epic song that Gamma Ray ever put out! "Man On A Mission" comes next, reaching insane speeds which bring to mind good old speed metal. It comprises of fantasy lyrics, a smart chorus and fast soloing (the song reminds me of 'Save Us' from Keeper II). Onwards comes "Fairytale", an incredible pounding track which only lasts for 50 seconds and leaves you wanting more! After a short instrumental "Gods Of Deliverance" follows which is mainly maintained by it's catchy chorus and Kai's vocals, a nice track. The next two tracks are nothing special as one of them is a ballad; a field were Gamma Ray were never really good at and the other being a faster track but with nothing special to give. "Land Of The Free" follows, which is definitely the second best masterpiece of the album after Rebellion In Dreamland. Great riffs, one of the best choruses Hansen has ever written and the quest appearance of both Kiske and Kursch on the chorus will surely make you shiver! After another short instrumental comes "Abyss Of The Void", another strong track with nice vocals by Kai, followed by "Time To Break Free" which is sang entirely by Kiske and it is a catchy heavy metal track, not bad but nothing special either. "Afterlife" is the last track, a power ballad type song dedicated to Ingo Schwichtenberg (Helloween's drummer 1985-1993), a strange track with deep lyrics.
In my opinion this album together with Helloween's Keeper albums are a must have concerning European power metal and they are also linked together musically and lyric wise. These records paved the way for all the rest of the bands that followed and their glory and musical perfection has never been reached.
Will be love by Helloween, Blind Guardian, Stratovarius and power metal fans in general.
| |
Best Gamma Ray album by M. D. Fonseca (Thunder) 4 Stars
November 05, 2003
LAND OF THE FREE is the best Gamma Ray album ever. They had never recorded something so good before, nor they did something so good after. Maybe, excited by the challenge of singing lead vocals again after a long time, Kai Hansen did his best.This concept album is top of the game in the power / melodic metal genre. All the songs flow in a natural way, with speed, wight, force, dynamism, great lyrics, great solos, great drumming by Thomas Nack. The high points are the opener "Rebellion In Dreamland", followed by "Man On A Mission" and the title track. MIchael Kiske, ex-Helloween, appears as guest vocalist for "Time To Break Free". There's also a "requiem" song called "Afterlife", dedicated to ex-Helloween drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg, who comitted suicide in Germany by jumping ahead of a train.This is pretty obvious the work of an inspired band at the top of their form. Both the drummer and the bass player are no longer in the band. Kai Hansen pal and guitarist / producer Dirk Schlachter gave up on guitars and assumed bass guitar, giving room to the hiring of guitarist Henjo Richter, a very good player.LAND OF THE FREE is metal at its best, no matter the genre inside metal.
| |
SIMILAR PRODUCTS |
|
|
|
