Gamma Ray
"No World Order"
(Noise Records)

"Their ascent to the top of the class of German Power Metal bands was as graceful as it was swift. Their seventh, and most revealing work, "No World Order," speaks prophetically while upholding tradition and still exploring unique ambitions to extend their reach on a scene that's long since embraced them. As usual, Gamma Ray strives to be the BMW of Metal bands, with their high-powered, high mileage riffs, and classically inspired smooth-riding melodies, veteran leader Kai Hansen's long since developed the formula for bridging classic with current and yet another fine example in the art of speed, and syncopation, "No World Order" is quick to announce its arrival. And let's face it, could we come to expect anything less from a band that once made The Pet Shop Boys sound intimidating? "No World Order" embarks on a conceptually stunning journey that like many who've adopted the "us against them" ideal, tells the tale of evil intent and the forceful resistance called upon by us, the legions of followers who've seen through the darkness. A minute long introduction lifts the curtain, speaks of freedom, and then the battle is immediate, "Dethrone Tyranny," opens with the expected double-barrel firepower, wasting no time, throw you in the fire and you're quickly dodging a hail of bullets. For the next thirty minutes or so, covering roughly five tracks, the tempo stays consistently mid-range as we're ducking and covering styles from past and present-"The Heart Of The Unicorn," falls right out of a modern day Priest playbook, and in fact only until the trademark Gamma Ray chorus comes into play, are we even aware of the difference; "Heaven Or Hell" tears a page right out of Helloween's "I Want Out" past, Hansen's pre-Gamma Ray creation for those among the uninitiated; The title track reminds yet again of Priest, this time of the more classic vein where the opening riff draws you in and really throughout the rest of the song it's like a who's who of past greats assembled together and appearing at every conceivable angle to make for a highlight of allied Metal forces. Considering how "No World Order" follows up on Gamma Ray's last "Blast From The Past" recollections and covers album, there's little surprise to hear such a diverse range of classic Metal styles come into play on this record-"Solid," returns to the all out Speed Metal Thrash expected to appear now and again, and "Fire Below," takes another (downward) turn, down-tuning and employing a churning riff to mark the depth only fitting of a song lyricized by the likes of "Going down to nowhere, they take you to Hell, into the fire." Building on the function of styles last developed on "Powerplant," "No World Order" channels itself deeper into the Metal tradition utilizing a more collaborative and aggressive approach, seriously suggestive and marked with an eye toward an imperiled future, together rivaling and exceeding the work of their past.



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