Released: Jan 29, 2010
Genre: Power Metal, Speed Metal, Heavy Metal
Label: earMUSIC
Number Of Tracks: 10
Gamma Ray is back with a brand new pure metal album to blast through the stereos of any metal fan in the world.
To The MetalFeatured review by: UG Team, on january 29, 2010 1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Sound: German metal band Gamma Ray is back with a brand new pure metal album to blast through the stereos of any metal fan in the world. After gaining great success with Land of the Free II, Gamma Ray comes back to the classic heavy power metal created so long ago. The band has come back stronger than ever with the album To The Metal. The music put into this creation is very admirable with catchy melodies and even catchier riffs. Every chord change was thought of with great accuracy as to what sounds the best, rather than just making a song for a song. The keyboard lines were put to great use in the song Deadlands, which then turns into a very remarkable song with head-banging drum beats that bring the listener awe-struck immediately. The keyboards also allow for a great use of melodies to be further established into the song. Enough with the catchy melodies though, and take it to songs such as Time To Live, or Shine Forever. These songs are purely riff driven with heavy distortion and fast riffs that make any guitar player want to pick up the guitar automatically. Their even appear to be softer songs in this album, these include Empathy and No Need To Cry, which both sound very ballad like.
Hansen and Richter combine their ideas perfectly yet again, like every album. They play in sync perfectly, like any other great guitar duo, but better. They even play two different riffs altogether as seen on Shine Forever, where one guitar is playing the main and lead riff, while the other is playing a more simplified version of it. This give the listener a more interesting appeal and this is why Gamma Ray has to be the catchiest, if not best Power Metal band on the scene today. Solos are extensive and perfectly executed, as seen in probably the best solo on the album, Mother Angel. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Vocals are done to a great extent by Kai Hansen, with many different styles thrown into the album. No Need To Cry reminded me of a better Axl Rose in the song Don’t Cry. Certain vocal styles remind the listener of King Diamond and his ecstatic vocal abilities. Sometimes Hansen even sounds like Stratovarius lead singer Timo Kotipelto. Lyrically all songs are beautiful with songs of regret, the angels, and overall a happier tone to the lyrics then the past couple albums. To The Metal is a song about the genre of metal, as the title of the album and song hint at. // 8
Impression: Gamma Ray has been critically acclaimed around the world, and now the praise is just about to contort to higher levels than before. Every song on To The Metal is a creation that emancipates itself from any other song on the album. The flow from song to song is perfect, and the listener never gets bored of any song, no matter when or what time it is. 2010 has started with a hopeful look into the this year’s metal with Gamma Ray already soaring above expectations, and straight to the metal. // 8
To The Metal
Reviewed by:
SpaceEater1000, on june 24, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: When I heard Land Of The Free 2, it was quite possibly the best album I have ever heard. Which is saying alot, as cliche as it may sound. Amazing melody, hard and heavy riffing, soloing that is second to none and a Huge feeling of heart and soul. When creating a master piece such as this, I was intrigued to see what these guys put in front of us. I was not disappointed.
This album has everything any metal fan could want, melodic genius, epic vocal lines, prominent in verses, pre choruses and choruses. Not to mention the guitar... Some of Gamma Ray's finest and well structured songs to date. For lack of a better English word... The solos are insane! I mean I've always known that Kai and Henjo are really great shredders, but I've found that they (mainly Kai) tends to focus more on writing Good solos instead of fast ones. This record has both of those qualities.
Empathy: A typical Gamma Ray opener. Fast double bass, hard riffing and great vocal lines. The chorus, however is not typical GR. If you listen very closely you can hear the heavy, almost death metal like over dubs. A very good song. 5/5
All You Need To Know: Epic intro, verse is heavy and powerful as hell. The chorus, the first time I heard it, I thought to myself "Ah, what an anti climax" as it's so happy and joyful... BUT after about two or three listens to the song, it grew on me, and with Michael Kiske's voice it only adds to the whole point. 5/5
Time To Live: This is Gamma Ray at it's finest. Totally mind blowing intro, the verse is also heavy and kicks your ass, the chorus blows you away, with pure genius melodic lines. Solos are excellent and and the drumming is technical as hell. 5/5
To The Metal: A hard, "I'll kick your ass" metal anthem. The riff may be seen as a little predictable, but it sure gets the point across! Lightning solos from Kai and Henjo. 5/5
Rise: Genius intro, clean guitar into the hard distortion sound. The verse is fast and has double bass that'll make a guitarist play Air Drums... I did. Great chorus, great solos very fast and a killer track. 5/5
Mother Angel: You must be getting pissed off here, but I gotta say it... EPIC intro. Very 80's style. The song is slower and has an eerie, melancholic sound to it which is really cool. These guys know how to mix up the happy, uplifting songs with the lower sadder ones. Solo is outstanding. 4/5
Shine Forever: This is my least favorite song on the album. The verses have those Primal Fear/Priest style high screeching. Don't get me wrong, I love that kinda thing, but I don't think it's very Gamma Ray... The chorus is a little too corny for my taste. Once again, don't misunderstand me I know it's a great song, but the happy tune and the lyrics are too much. 4/5
Deadlands: Great song. Very good chorus, and even better verses. Solos are second to none. 5/5
Chasing Shaddows: Okay, solos: Amazing. The guitar work is great, and the vocals are perfect, and you hear the emotion and Kai's voice and playing. 5/5
No Need To Cry: This is the ballad of the album written by Dirk in memory of his father. If this doesn't shout emotion, I don't know what does. Very good vocals, and melodic line. 5/5
The two Japanese Bonus tracks: Great songs, but I don't think they are really part of the album. I hate unreleased tracks. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are overall very good. Some corny lines hear and there, but hey what power metal band doesn't have that every now and then. There is so much heart and soul in these lyrics, I think that Kai Hansen is one of the worlds best, and most versatile singers. Listen closely to what is happening in the vocal section of this album... The words are very well written and fit Perfectly with the music. // 10
Impression: Gamma Ray Are the godfathers of power metal, and if you try to tell me otherwise you're an idiot wrapped in a morron. This is epic stuff, they deserve all the credit and success they have achieved over the years. Very few bands are as consistent as these guys. Unlike so many other bands, they've kept their style and only improved on it.
Most impressive songs? I don't know, they all have unique styles and all catch a different side of emotion.
What do I love about it? Everything, great music, solos, vocals, drums, bass, keyboards, over dubs, album cover is really effective as well.
If it were stolen/lost? Very simple: It wouldn't. // 9
Not written very well, but I'll still check out the album. I remember Gamma Ray along with the likes of Kamelot, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian. Pretty pumped on a metal album about metal!!
Not written very well, but I'll still check out the album. I remember Gamma Ray along with the likes of Kamelot, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian. Pretty pumped on a metal album about metal!!
Crazy person. Kamelot are far superior to any of those bands.
Not written very well, but I'll still check out the album. I remember Gamma Ray along with the likes of Kamelot, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian. Pretty pumped on a metal album about metal!!
Crazy person. Kamelot are far superior to any of those bands.
Not written very well, but I'll still check out the album. I remember Gamma Ray along with the likes of Kamelot, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian. Pretty pumped on a metal album about metal!!
Crazy person. Kamelot are far superior to any of those bands.
strat07 wrote:
Conception >>> Kamelot
Read some stuff
I'm totaly against artist making songs/albums with the world metal in the title. It's just plain stupid.
Will give it a listen. Sadly Gama Ray didnt do anything good since Somewhere Out In Space
Whoot! Always have pretty much enjoyed everything Gamma ray have put out..... Hansen and Co are very talented people, hope to see them live at some point....
Oh and btw, whoever was talking about blind guardian earlier I've gotta say they must be an accuired taste. I saw them live recently and I thought they were boring to the point of mind melting.....hmmm underwhelmed to the max.
Not written very well, but I'll still check out the album. I remember Gamma Ray along with the likes of Kamelot, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian. Pretty pumped on a metal album about metal!!
Crazy person. Kamelot are far superior to any of those bands.
Gamma Ray >>>>> Blind Guardian >>>>> Hammerfall >> Kamelot
Not written very well, but I'll still check out the album. I remember Gamma Ray along with the likes of Kamelot, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian. Pretty pumped on a metal album about metal!!
Except that Hammerfall existed because of Gamma Ray, and that Blind Guardian and Kamelot a have a sound of their very owns ^^
It's only released on Feb 1st here .. I'll get it =)
Also, this review IS written really weirdly. It's like
"This album is awesome and every song is perfect and everything is awesome" and the reviewer gives it an average of 8.3?!
This was written kinda poorly.. if it was a staff writer..can I have his job now?
When it comes to power metal I don't like to compare whos greater than who. I love it all and different bands do different things differently. (yeah it makes complete sense)
But I gotta agree metal songs/albums with "metal" in the title is kiinda corny.
Not written very well, but I'll still check out the album. I remember Gamma Ray along with the likes of Kamelot, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian. Pretty pumped on a metal album about metal!!
Crazy person. Kamelot are far superior to any of those bands.
Gamma Ray >>>>> Blind Guardian >>>>> Hammerfall >> Kamelot
Honestly I've always thought Blind Guardian is the most over rated power metal band in history and I've heard all of Blind Guardian's albums.
Although I would have to agree Kamelot is truly awesome.
Not written very well, but I'll still check out the album. I remember Gamma Ray along with the likes of Kamelot, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian. Pretty pumped on a metal album about metal!!
Crazy person. Kamelot are far superior to any of those bands.
Absolutely correct. I guess it IS opinion, but really, the singers' talents between Gamma Ray and Kamelot really don't match up at all. Same goes for Blind Guardian and Hammerfall. I like Hammerfall quite a bit, but I realize their singer isn't that talented. Whoever writes their songs is talented though, and they perform well. I don't like Blind Guardian at all. Just my opinion.
And by the way, UG Team needs to check their grammar.
I've also never been a fan of Symphony X. Their music just makes me want to wear ear plugs, just like Blind Guardian. Manowarrior, how can you possibly put Kamelot on the bottom of that list? Although Kamelot is kind of acquired taste, they still rock way more than Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, Symphony X, Dragonforce (ewww...) or any other band you want to throw into this conversation.
Whoever produced the album should be fired. It's awesome material, but it got butchered. Hahahaha, they should release a 'Remastered' version in 2011 =]
Not written very well, but I'll still check out the album. I remember Gamma Ray along with the likes of Kamelot, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian. Pretty pumped on a metal album about metal!!
Crazy person. Kamelot are far superior to any of those bands.
Absolutely correct. I guess it IS opinion, but really, the singers' talents between Gamma Ray and Kamelot really don't match up at all. Same goes for Blind Guardian and Hammerfall. I like Hammerfall quite a bit, but I realize their singer isn't that talented. Whoever writes their songs is talented though, and they perform well. I don't like Blind Guardian at all. Just my opinion.
And by the way, UG Team needs to check their grammar.
Lol blind guardian rapes all those bands, you people smoke entirely too much crack - not a single one of those bands has achieved nearly as much as blind guardian, sorry.
Though I am not the biggest fan of power I must say that Blind Guardian is the best band in the genre,And anyone that says otherwise most probably has not heard a single Blind Guardian song in his/her life
Though I am not the biggest fan of power I must say that Blind Guardian is the best band in the genre,And anyone that says otherwise most probably has not heard a single Blind Guardian song in his/her life
Actually, you're wrong. Thats YOUR opinion of whats the best. Don't go telling us that band X is the best. I think Gamma Ray is untouchable in power metal, but thats my opinion. Learn what an opinion is please... versus fact.
They really kicked ass with this album!!!
But why the article says that song "Empathy" is like a ballad. It's actually very heavy song, although it has a short ballad intro.
Hit me like a gamma ray
Standing in a hurricane
And I'm pulling
Out thorns
Smokestack lightning
Out my window
I want to know
What I've lost today
Win.
I just listened to this album, sounds like someone added cheesy keyboards to a terrible Iron Maiden cover band. I can only stand so much tapping before I want to hear some creativity. But I guess you can't get very creative when every song is an attempt to get hair metal to sound "epic."
Also, the reviews were really awkward. I was expecting to read YES A GAMMA RAY GUITAR SOLO at any moment.
Hit me like a gamma ray
Standing in a hurricane
And I'm pulling
Out thorns
Smokestack lightning
Out my window
I want to know
What I've lost today
Win.
I just listened to this album, sounds like someone added cheesy keyboards to a terrible Iron Maiden cover band. I can only stand so much tapping before I want to hear some creativity. But I guess you can't get very creative when every song is an attempt to get hair metal to sound "epic."
Also, the reviews were really awkward. I was expecting to read YES A GAMMA RAY GUITAR SOLO at any moment.
(end rant)
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA!!!
No, seriously, respect your opinion and stuff, but can't disagree more. BTW it's power metal not hair metal, you may puke on this genre but it's easy to tell they don't sound anything like Poison or White Lion :P.
As for TTM, I think it's a good album, better than LOTF II and Majestic ("iuk" to this last one). It has several great songs, though as all albums since No World Order!, can't be considered a MASTERPIECE. I fin the Title track quite boring, as Hansen's need to ripoff/tribute Priest in every album xD But Time To Live, Empathy, Shine Forever and No Need To Cry are AWESOME.
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