Led by former Helloween guitarist Kai Hanson, Gamma Ray are at the forefront of the power metal scene, with touches of melodic speed metal that make the music so enjoyable.

So after seven studio albums, not all hitting the mark, we get a double live CD and a DVD package too that really does hit the mark. The roots are clearly in the realms of Iron Maiden, with plenty of dual guitar interplay and a wide range to both the rhythms and vocals, but all with more a power metal feel. This is an album to challenge the likes of Freedom Call and Rhapsody Of Fire, bands Gamma Ray were in serious danger of being usurped by.

Taken from the recent North American tour, the band are on form, Kai clearly a good frontman and the crowd enthusiastic.

This is the kind of live album that rarely allows you to pause for breath, the music ranging from melodic Maiden to the machine gun drums with vocal harmonies of 'Man On A Mission'. Melodic speed metal indeed.

The 2CD features 22 tracks, over 2 hours of music, covering tracks like 'Gardens Of The Sinner', New World Order', 'From The Ashes' and 'Real World'. Even the guitar solos are sing-along.

This is as extreme as trad-metal gets without being extreme metal, unrelenting, and thoroughly enjoyable too.

****½

Review by Joe Geesin

www.joegeesin.com