•
Rating:
If there were a camera, it would look like a scene from a movie. The slow direction would pass over me as I press the keys on the pc while my eyes look up to the right in a desperate search for inspiration. I'm in the good living room of my parents' house; there's no one around and I allow myself to soil their immense audio system with the notes of my favorite album. The volume is loud, but for 200 meters, there are only vineyards. I enjoy the situation and write.
PROTAGONISTS
Gamma Ray is one of the most famous bands in the power metal scene, and I am a fan of theirs. I believe, unlike most, that they offered their best in the early part of their career with original albums like "Insanity & Genius," "Sigh No More," and "Heading For Tomorrow." I also greatly respect the later "Somewhere Out In Space" and "Powerplant," but there you can already see more skill, great skill, in presenting a consolidated sound that's unfortunately increasingly stereotypical. "Land Of The Free" is in the midst of their evolutionary journey: it's a case apart. A wonderful case apart that deserves to be analyzed.
APEX
Gamma Ray means Kai Hansen. The former founder of Helloween, when he left the pumpkins in '88, wanted to create a band with him, only him, at the center. "Land Of The Free" is Kai Hansen at his very best, and for those who know the early Helloween even minimally, know that this means dizzying levels. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that with this album, he outdid himself.
It's not just a matter of individual songs. "Land Of the Free" is a utopia that Gamma Ray makes us live with a colorful product to savor in a continuum, without breaks or distractions. It starts with an elegant arpeggio in the epic and surprising mid-tempo titled "Rebellion In Dreamland" and continues with the sum of speed metal "Man On A Mission." Complex songs without any lapse that do not repeat themselves but grow and divert in original breakdowns capable of making the return to the verses and choruses even more delicious. That the inspiration is at its peak is evident from the instrumental interludes of the ephemeral duration of one minute: now pure adrenaline, now perfect glue between the tracks. Uncompromising heavy metal ("Gods Of Deliverance," "Salvation's Calling") and melodic and changeable metal ("All Of The Damned") follow one after the other between heartfelt solos by the twin guitar pair and an extraordinary rhythm section for how it tames the continuous restarts. The slow "Farewell" is enriched by the presence of Hansi Kursch, capable of putting a bit of grit and dirt into so much melodic goodness. It's a setlist free of dips, and at the end, there are still many shots in the barrel. The hypnotic intro of the title track is pure genius, making the bridge/chorus devastatingly impactful on the listener. With "Abyss Of The Void," launched by an epic intro, unimaginable heights are reached. Hansen/Schlachter show us what amalgam means during the solo phase, and throughout the song, we're surrounded by backing vocals, syncopations, pompous choirs, pauses, and crescendos highlighted by passionate and heartfelt virtuosity. The CD, after a return to the past with Kiske in "Time To Break Free," concludes with "Afterlife." In 1993, Ingo Schwichtenberg, drummer and founder of Helloween along with his friend Hansen, committed suicide by throwing himself under a moving train. Only knowing this can you feel something different while singing the almost shouted and full of suffering verses in which Kai bids farewell to his friend and sets an appointment after death.
From a technical point of view, unless you want to judge without listening, and just for the sake of it, I believe there's little to say. I'd like to underline Jan Rubach's performance. An almost forgotten bassist of undisputed talent who puts his signature on this CD with constant precision and forms, with Thomas Nack, an applause-worthy rhythm section. Hansen returns to the microphone after Walls Of Jericho and sings with incredible passion. He's not a talent, but compared to '86, his pronunciation has improved, and he doesn't only attempt high notes but interprets the songs showing various tones and wisely relies on the backing vocals, which were meticulously prepared for this album. I've already spoken about the guitars: a twin pair that shares more or less fast solos with ease and total sound clarity. The songs are very varied and are alternated perfectly through the use of interludes that break monotony. All that's left is to praise the sober and distinctive cover (the only shirt I've bought) in symbiosis with lyrics full of hope/fear and without any reference to Satanism/fantasy stories: the extremes that many ignorant people believe are the only themes used in metal.
FUNERAL
In 1995, power metal was already a well-known genre but still niche. "Land Of the Free" unveiled (alongside "Visions" and "Imaginations From the Other Side") this branch of metal to the general public. The result was devastating: pure exaltation for many young people who formed countless clone bands without having the technical and compositional abilities of the masters. Yes, based on my over 250 original CDs of the agonizingly bought genre, I can say that "Land Of The Free" was both the apex and the funeral of this musical genre. A simply indispensable CD for every rocker. An extraordinary example of power metal that never was and never will be in the future. I thank the user "mista" who recommended purchasing the CD.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Rebellion in Dreamland (08:44)
Voices are calling from somewhere bellow
melting on the eastern shore
Rain is falling down on me,
been waiting for eternity...
I'll be there!
Freedom for us all!
And I wonder why, why my heart still yearns
and I wonder why, why the earth still turns
and I wonder why, why the sky turns black
Still I wonder why, but there is no turning back
For all eternity, for all the world to see
we're riding high across the wind
and when the storm begins, to wash away all sins
we'll find a place where we'll begin
There's something wrong with the world today,
only the people that are fighting for...
...a better place in the world today,
they don't believe that they gone too far,
...they're falling down.
By moonlight there's a way... for rebellion
here, the world has gone astray... revolution
Now, the time has come to pray... hallelujah
deep, inside our minds we wait... for rebellion
Here in dreamland we will not obey the masters
... and the earth still turns but I'm on my way,
he is on the way, as my heart still yearns
... I'm on my way, now he is on the way,
and I cry for more
Yes I'm on my way, now he is on the way,
gonna find the secret wall
I have seen the secret dreams
of those who know eternity
and makes me feel like a shadow sneaking in
In my sleep I'm searching for a way to find
the open door leading me to where it all begins
There's nothing wrong with the world today...
By moonlight there's a way... for rebellion
here, the world has gone astray... revolution
Now, the time has come to pray... hallelujah
deep, inside our minds we wait... for rebellion
Here in dreamland we will not obey the masters
SOLO: Kai
Now I'm riding through the air
going to where no one dares
on the way I'll cross the line forevermore.
For once in life, I do not care
nothing matters, now I dare
On the ride I'll cross the line
forever to be free
Have no fear, Rebellion is here!
02 Man on a Mission (05:48)
I'm a man on a mission
And my deligence won't wait
There are supersonic killers in the sky
Everything you do will be analyzed,
They control every step of your life
Well, mankind has gone to a high extreme
To the dark side on the way
All I see is a masquerade
And the termination waits
Oh, I've seen the faces of a million leaving here
Abandoned times and places of a world
Built out of fear
The quest is drawing near
The mystery of fear is just about to clear
What we need right now, is a miracle on earth
Let out hearts cry out, so our voices can be heard
Let us walk away together
From the never ending rain,
'Til the sun will shine for all of us again
So we travel on at the speed of light
And the gods will light our way
Gotta change our part in the masterplan
For another break in the race
And the trumpet sound will soon be heard
As the dead in mind awake
And the joyful saints will guide us
On the onward fight that we take
Oh, I've seen a million
Leaving right away from here
Abandoned times and places of a world
Built out of fear
The quest is drawing near
The mystery of fear is just about to clear
What we need right now, is a miracle on earth
Let out hearts cry out, so our voices can be heard
Let us walk away together
From the never ending rain,
'Til the sun will shine for all of us again
Take my hand and you will see
The mirror of your destiny
So many came to read the signs,
To understand their meaning
Now I see it's you and me,
So try to understand
And we will walk the road of life
Together hand in hand
I do not dare, I do not dare
But something's calling me
For those who dared could not break free
The one who will succeed,
I wonder, is it me?
Give us a chance to live
Give us a chance to die
Give us a chance to be free
Without fire from the sky
Give us a chance to love
Give us a chance to hate
Give us a chance, before you kill us all
Before you kill us, kill us all
Before you kill us, before you kill us all
Before you kill us
03 Fairytale (00:49)
Now my friend it's time for you
To break the spell
Your heart was torn in two
And somebody revealed the wall...
Now we stand together
Our fight is to be free
We never will surrender
We ride across the fields
Now it's time to break the silence
And the truth shall be revealed
Take the question mark from your head...
Let the fairytale be real
Let the fairytale be real!
06 Gods of Deliverance (05:01)
The sun goes down in the western sky
The shadows are gonna return
I wander alone through the back of my mind
The twilight of moon starts to run
How can I see beyond existence?
I'm leaving in to the unknown
I wander around as I hear someone scream
A voice that is never my own
Oh, how can you dare to dwell
All alone in the back of your head
As we struggle for life in this emotional hell
We wait for for the gods to be there
Gods of deliverance, how can I set free...
Souls in the underworld
Calling out for me... They're in my head!
Wherever you'll roam in your dreams
You'll have to remember your name
So many are trapped - down in the abyss
They're waiting for you and they say:
How can you dare to stand alone
On this side of the wall
As we struggle for life in this emotional hell
We wait for salvation to call
Gods of deliverance, how can I set free...
Souls in the underworld
Calling out for me... They're in my head!
Morning comes around again
Shadows are leaving the night
Now there's a sense for existence
I've seen it with my own two eyes
The vision is getting clearer
Now that I've seen the unknown
The voices are yearning to live again
The gods will guiding us home
And you still dare to dwell all alone
In the back of you head
Still we struggle for life
In this emotional hell
Salvation will one day be there
Don't you be misled
By the illusions in your head
Then the gods of deliverance will say:
'No more illusions, we're leaving today...'
Don't you be misled
By the illusions in your head
Then the gods of deliverance will say:
'No more illusions, we're leaving today...
We're in your head - They're in my head
'We're in your head - In my head...
07 Farewell (05:11)
Do you remember
How we used to play like kids in the sun
Nowadays, there's no light to see
And we're feeling cold
So the time has come
To say farewell my friends
My fate is calling loud
Now I know - it can get tough
And I don't you know where I'll be tomorrow
Do you - do you wanna know it
I don't care about it
Somebody said that we could never ever die
Oh what a lie
You will see the light again
We'll all be free someday:
I know - 'cause united we stand
Goodbye my friends, I'm leaving you today
My quest is hard, but I must be on my way
Now, don't ask why
Goodbye dear friends
Don't you try and stop me
All I know is: I have to go!
There'll be no sense in my life at all
If I stay
You will never see it - you will never find it
Oh yes I will!
Someone will take my place if I DIE!
An old man said:
Some years ago; they've tried it all before
Some men of honour left
And searched for that land
They did not return. Now it's up to you
To play a better game - remember
When you're out there
Don't look back at all
Goodbye my friends, I'm leaving you today
The quest is hard,
I hope I'll find a way home one day
Goodbye my friends, I'm leaving you today
The quest is hard
I know I find a way home one day
You will see the light of day
We'll all be free again
All that's left to say is FAREWELL
08 Salvation's Calling (04:35)
Hello my name is Mr. Know-It-All
My sweet home is deep down in your soul
Let me introduce you to the final call
Salvation is calling for you
Life is just a fairytale
Narrated by a lunatic for man
The hope is clouded by eternal haze
Tell me what you mean?
Do you think about ambition?
Why don't you scream? - oh yeah
Don't you realize - what you criticize
Now remove yourself - away from here
Salvation's calling - salvation's calling
The walls are falling - salvation's calling now!
Hey, you think that you blown it all
Your life, you can't enjoy it to the full
When all your dreams are fading
To eternal black
You're lost in the twilight
Now, what d'you mean
What do you think about ambition?
Go out and scream, oh yeah
Realize not criticize
Remove yourself away from here
Remove yourself away from here
Salvation's calling - salvation's calling
The walls are falling - salvation's calling now!
Follow you instinct
Never follow your illusions
Just remember from all your troubles
There is a way out
Turn around and see yourself
Beyond your horizons
There's an outcry in the void
There is a way out from here
Goodbye my friend
It's time to leave you on your own
Get going to find out your own way
Believe in what you're doing
Cos I'm in your head
You can't hesitate anymore
Don't think about existence
Just move your ass - be yourself
Now realize - not criticize
Now move yourself - take your chance
Salvation's calling - salvation's calling
The walls are falling - salvation's calling now!
11 Abyss of the Void (06:03)
Somewhere in the desert of the void
Beyond the wall
We're the last survivors
We're the ones who'll never fall
Men inside the circle leave the night!
Darkness all around us
Not a single beam of light
All we have is our faith
Waiting for the fight
The time has come to break the outer wall
Grab your heart I'll show you the way
Hold you head up high
High above at the edge of the world
We're searching for glory and peace
When the time has come, you will see
Our return to the land of the free
Men inside the circle
Tell me what you feel and see
Delusions of reality
The mirror of your dreams
Hold you ground
And I'll show you the way
Now hold your head up high
High above at the edge of the world
We're searching for glory and peace
When the time has come, you will see
Our return to the land of the free
And when the cracks appear upon the wall
We know the moments here to see it fall
and as the sunlight appears again in our sky
no wall, no more, no more will darken our life
High above at the edge of the world
We're searching for glory and peace
When the time has come, you will see
Our return to the land of the free
Now I must go
I'll wait for you to follow
No turning back
But there's a light
I've seen it all
Riding through never fall
When all is done
We must be one
I will return
The saviour is calling
He's riding through the night
The only, the holy
Returning from the light
We fall to the ground and we pray
'Cause he's the only one
No demons left in this world
Since he has won
Oh hear what I say...
All men come
To see the king of the world
The time has come for everyone
The saviour stands for all of us
Now praise the one who'll destroy
The evil abyss of the void
His armour
Still shining
Though it's torn from fight
The brave man, redeemer
He brought us back to life
Oh yes he did
Now fall to the ground and pray
'Cause he will come
No demons left in this world
Since he has won
Now, listen to what I say...
All men come
To see the land of the free
The time has come for everyone
The saviour stands for all of us
Now praise the one who'll destroy
The evil abyss of the void
His armour, still shining
Though it's torn from fight
The brave man, he battled
On through the night
His eyes they were gleaming like fire
And he's prepared he's the one
The young man
He raises his head
Up to the land
In the sun
Wherever my spirit may fly
Up to this heavenly fight
I know
That I will return from a mission
Beyond our skies - now
The saviour is calling
He's riding through the night
The only, the holy
Returning from the light
We fall to the ground and we pray
'Cause he's the only one
No demons left in this world
Since he has won
Oh hear what I say...
All men come
To see the king of the world
The time has come for everyone
The saviour stands for all of us
Now praise the one who'll destroy
The evil abyss of the void
13 Afterlife (04:46)
Do you believe in the afterworld
Or the afterlife?
Do you agree there's a place for us
Beyond our life
Where the timeless call for life
Is lost and you will see
The forgotten dreams
That you once had become reality
They will be set free - another day
You cannot leave if you do not want to stay
In the afterlife - in the afterlife
Life's a dream that you will forget
In the endless space
And the scars you got on planet Earth
Will be erased
You were blind until your eyes have stopped to see
And your powers unfold by the moment
You hit eternity
You will be set free
But you'll never return
That's the price you have to pay
In the afterlife - in the afterlife
Now you're gone without a word
You didn't say goodbye
I miss you here where are you now
An angel in the sky?
Your visit here has been so short
You left to be set free
But I believe we'll meet again
And together we will stay
In the afterlife - in the afterlife
In the afterlife - in the afterlife
Loading comments slowly
