Review of Gamma Ray : Insanity & Genius
Asian remastered reissue of the power metal act's 1993 album includes three bonus tracks, 'Gamma Ray' (Long Version), 'Exciter' & 'Save Us' (Live). Sanctuary. 2002.

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Your latest reviews - Gamma Ray : A true masterpiece! Considered by many Keeper part III
Gamma Ray's finest hour! One more milestone of Power Metal after Helloween's Keeper albums! Hansen blows all his competition and Helloween's clones to the water with this one.

Kai Hansen returns with his majestic reefing, crazy leads, insane-fast solos and he is also back on vocals! Don't think for a second that this is a drawback, he has learned a lot and practised a lot since he recorded Walls Of Jericho, his vocals are clearer but still possess the strength to produce high pitched screams! The rest of the band is in really great form especially the drummer, who almost never lifts his foot off the double bass and pounds his tombs like crazy.

The arrangements are of epic proportions reminding of past glories and at some parts even surpassing them. The guest appearances of Michael Kiske and Hansi Kursch on 2 tracks also add to the glory of this album and remind you of the Keeper Of The Seven Keys albums!

"Rebellion In Dreamland" starts of the album picking up speed as it continues, mind blowing reefs and solos and really smart choruses make this track a masterpiece and the most epic song that Gamma Ray ever put out! "Man On A Mission" comes next, reaching insane speeds which remind of good old speed metal. Comprising of fantasy lyrics, a smart chorus and fast soloing (the song reminds me of 'Save Us' from Keeper II). Onwards comes "Fairytale", an incredible pounding track which only lasts for 50 seconds and leaves you waiting for more! After a short instrumental "Gods Of Deliverance" follows which is mainly maintained by it's catchy chorus and Kai's vocals, a nice track. The next two tracks are nothing special as one of them is a ballad; a field were Gamma Ray were never really good at and the other being a faster track but with nothing special to give. "Land Of The Free" follows, which is definitely the second best masterpiece of the album after Rebellion In Dreamland. Great reefs, smart lyrics, one of the best choruses Hansen has ever written and the quest appearance of both Kiske and Kursch on the chorus will surely make you shiver! After another short instrumental comes "Abyss Of The Void", another strong track with nice vocals by Kai, followed by "Time To Break Free" which is sang entirely by Kiske and it is a catchy heavy metal track, not bad but nothing special either. "Afterlife" is the last track, a power ballad type song dedicated to Ingo Schwichtenberg (Helloween's drummer 1985-93), a strange track with deep lyrics. This version of the album is also remastered giving more power to the tracks and includes "The Silence" remixed with Kai on vocals, a really great track!

In my opinion this album together with Helloween's Keeper albums are a must have concerning European power metal and they are also linked together musically and lyric wise. These 3 records paved the way for all the rest of the bands that followed and their glory and musical perfection has never been reached.

Will be love by Helloween, Blind Guardian, Stratovarius and power metal fans in general.