Gamma Ray's Reviews

Somewhere Out In Space

(Average Rating: 8.42 out of 10)

Take it if you like power metal, but GR has some better CDs.

(Rated this album with 6 out of 10)
Reviewed by cartonpiedra from Montreal, Canada

This album is not so bad, but Gamma Ray (GR) is repeating and repeating and repeating the same formula again and again and again... While Kai Hansen playing skills are notable, his solos and riffs are not very different from piece to piece, and even from album to album. Musically speaking, this CD has nothing new to offer. I own "Heading For Tomorrow", "Land Of The Free" and "Blast From The Past"; and I should say that at least these three albums are far better than "Somewhere Out In Space" in every aspect. I'd say that this album is some kind of part II of the "Land Of The Free", but with a weaker songwriting, since melodies are not so powerful and lyrics are rather silly and puerile.

One positive point, however: though Hansen's voice doesn't match the Ralf Scheepers' one, again he (and the production!) gets the job fairly well done. Nevertheless, I really missed Ralf this time in the power ballad "Pray": I understand now why Kai Hansen likes to put the microphone in the hands of someone else! In spite of this, Hansen sounds great in "Beyond The Black Hole", "Valley Of The Kings" and "Shine On", which are the more fortunate pieces contained in this release. The cover "Return To Fantasy" is also a nice present to our ears.

I see this album as a not transcendent one in the GR history, but good enough to please their fans and those that are unconditional to the power metal style. Three stars is a fair score, I think. Go on, GR!

Buy this album on Amazon at $12.98