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If Gamma Ray's rousing power metal sounds a little dated in 2005, well, it is. But with metal's ever-increasing hybridization, it's almost comforting to hear a band standing so proudly outside that fusionist circle. Majestic changes little from 2001's No World Order, or the albums before that. This is power metal through and through, with Kai Hansen's high-pitched wail leading his band at a double bass gallop through songs about Hell, spiritual dictators, and dark destinies. Opener "My Temple" features some great rapid-fire sections alongside a chorus intoning, "Evil comes, evil's done," and "Hell Is Thy Home" -- besides its terrifically antiquated title -- features lines like "Into oblivion you take their lives." Hansen, of course, pronounces it "lyyy-EEEEVes!" This isn't to poke fun at Gamma Ray. Yes, their lyrics seem torn from fantasy literature. Yes, they're posed with a hairy, cloaked nether-beast in Majestic's liner notes. But it's refreshing to hear and see this, because it gives the music a classicist feel. "Blood Religion," for example, begins as a righteous dirge before switching into a Judas Priest strut. At the four-minute mark everything suddenly drops out; the scary choir is back to stoically sing the song's title, and a tempo change sets up the flailing solos that fill its final minutes. You can't ask for power metal more committed than this in 2005, when bands are either too busy layering wordless screams over chunky hardcore riffs or playing a game of "having a laugh or aren't we?" like the Darkness. With Majestic Gamma Ray prove that, even in their excess, they are nothing but genuine. ~ Johnny Loftus
Awesome! The music sounds sensational. Very focused and clear. This CD is sure to delight! Submitted by Carmella (Indianapolis, IN) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
The Power Of Metal! When you think of German Power Metal, the first name you should think of is Helloween. The second name you should think of better be Gamma Ray. As we all know, Gamma Ray features former Helloween lead man Kai Hansen. Since Kai has started putting out albums under the Gamma Ray name, I cannot recall one bad album in the bunch. Sure, you could say some albums are deffinately better that others, but there isn't one album in the Gamma Ray catalogue that is truely bad. With 'Majestic,' Gamma Ray returns with another quality Power Metal masterpiece. There even seems to be some re-newed energy injected into the songwriting. Most bands as they get older tend to slow down, but not Gamma Ray. Listen to 'Fight' and tell me that these ol' chaps are slowing down. As with the last few albums, Gamma Ray also includes a couple of tracks that mixes Queen's bombastic orchestrated arrangements with pure Power Metal. With repeated listens, this album only gets better. Though I cannot say that this is absolutely Gamma Rays best album, I cannot recall any other that I have enjoyed listening to more. Submitted by chevdaddy1 (Gwinn, MI) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great CD This is the best CD Gamma Ray has released in many years. I't doesn't quite match up with their classic early/mid era material, but it's a strong release which most heavy/power metal fans should like. Submitted by Rick (Zionsville, PA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
intense wow the one word that sums this up.another crushing disc.great guitars and great evrything as far as powermetal goes it don't get no better than majestic. it flat out kicks you in the throat with boots on.skip everything else and just go for it.the whole cd is just amazing here.even the cd cover uis great.if you like great metal get this no matter the cost it delivers!!!! i'll have another beer while playing some rays!!!rock on. Submitted by RELJED2112 (jd in la la land) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
The Greatest Metal Band Ever Has Done It Again After Gamma Ray's exceptional "No World Order", fans waited four years for this album; it was well worth it. Notably darker in lyrical content and feel, "Majestic" lives up to its moniker as well as any album in recent memory. The opening track starts the set list with a bang, followed by what could be the most concentrated song in Gamma Ray's history, simply titled "Fight". "Strange World" rivals any of the band's offerings (Blood Religion would up the ante two songs later), and "Hell is Thy Home" is all the adrenaline and more that you could expect from this band, or any band for that batter. The rest of the album (tracks 6-9) are far from filler, but none stands out in particular as a great song, until the tour de force, "Revelation", which stands along side "Heading for Tomorrow" and "Rebellion in Dreamland" as the pinnacle of Gamma Ray's library and power metal in general. Submitted by alex_newton (Pomfret, CT) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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