If you're asking yourself why this review is a comparison between these two awesome bands, understand that this is not exactly the type of metal I listen to. But these solid releases have dominated my stereo for weeks, and I keep thinking these two together would be a hell of a show.
Their music tracks a very natural progression of classic metal becoming more extreme. Being a death/black/ thrash metal head, it took me a few listens to get used to these "real" vocalists who actually sing. Once I got past that, I have to admit these records are nothing short of astonishing. Incredible music, captured perfectly by the recording engineers.
This is going to be one long review so get yourself a frosty beverage, some popcorn or whatever, and read on. These bands absolutely deserve some attention.
I'm going to have slap the label "power metal" on both Annihilator and Gamma Ray. Going through high school as an Iron Maiden addict had a big influence on my life. Unfortunately hair metal and ultra cheesy rock n roll metal bands got all the glory....and the head bangers were as isolated as hardcore punks. We had no problem with this. Those were the days!
To have lost faith in Maiden as I did when
Somewhere in Time came out did not ruin the classics. But Gamma Ray is SO fucking Maiden it's ridiculous. What rules is they took that classic style and made it more technical, and faster. The one element of metal Maiden never used is double bass drumming. Gamma Ray however has plenty of it which really makes their Maiden-esque music have more balls. In other words, if you love Iron Maiden and have not checked out Gamma Ray, you will probably shit yourself when you do. Even the cover art on their CDs is done by Derek Riggs who is the guy who did some of Iron Maiden's CD art. They are not some sort of rip off; they have unique elements, especially in the vocal department. But if you're like me and you always hoped Maiden had released some faster, thrashier songs, Gamma Ray will deliver it for you instead.
Now Annihilator. The man....Jeff Waters. Un FUCKING-believable guitar player. I remember him being praised way back in '89 when
Alice in Hell was released. I was already into heavier metal, but since I love guitar solos, it was obvious to me this guy was something special. I love metal. I always have and I always will but when it is of a genre I am not exactly crazy about I will still listen to it because fuckin A....it's metal! I'd ignore the things I was not into and patiently wait for that solo to start. Jeff's guitar work was just too good to ignore. I guess for people into this type of metal, the vocals I prefer -- a bunch of guttural growling and insane screaming -- is as annoying to them as melodic singers are to me. Still, when I got METAL in my mailbox I was stoked and could not wait to hear the guitars and as expected....they're nothing short of impressive.
All of the guest musicians on this record have me confused as to who is doing what where, but this may be a good thing. I'm familiar with most of the bands and the members who appear on METAL but for those who may not know them...this record should inspire them to check out all those other bands and that is what the metal "scene" is all about! Spreading metal like a fucking plague!
Track one begins on the Annihilator....the guitar in mono throws me for a second until it kicks in in stereo. The kick drum sound is on the best I have heard in years! I was enraged with jealousy! It is not all click.....not over electronic-y....it has BALLS. Mike Mangini was a guy I was not familiar with so I looked into him online and apparently he is one of the, if not THE, fastest drummer on Earth. Not only with speed; he is basically a drumming GOD. By the middle of the record on the first listen I was wondering if this was a machine. I honestly did not know. If it’s that damn hard to tell, well then you know this guy is simply way above average. I figured Jeff did both bass and guitars, which explains the absolute flawless execution. These two guys are just so incredibly in sync it's maddening. Any tempo, any style; these guys played as one.
The same can be said for Gamma Ray. However, the style is much different, and the production is far more huge as opposed to compressed and tight. Both the engineers who captured these bands should be commended, though I do wish the guitar was a bit louder on the Annihilator.
If you make me compare what is different about these bands most simply put think of it this way:
Annihilator is like a happier Anthrax, but can be heavier and faster. Actually more melodic, too, but the guitar work is far superior. Light years ahead, actually. The solos usually get any guitarist interested in the band as he is just that fucking good. An absolute master. This band apparently has a soft side which I am not crazy about, but to each his own.
Gamma Ray is like taking all the best elements of Iron Maiden and creating a speed metal version of the music and vocals in a far grander range. The thing about Kai Hansen's vocals is that they can take time getting used to. He is a great vocalist, but guys like him are few and far between. Before they became huge some people, found Megadeth's music awesome, but hated the vocals. Years later that same style seemed not much different than others, but Dave Mustaine has a very unique voice. Kai Hansen is like this for me. It took some time for me to get used to him, but when I did I found his voice to perfectly complement their music. Take the killer melody, the incredible harmonies and phenomenal song writing of Maiden and give it some fast double bass, and you can imagine Gamma Ray.
The bad news.
Track two on METAL is called Couple Suicide – feat. Danko Jones (Danko Jones) & Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy)
In general I found the song to be the weak point of the record. The lyrics and vocal delivery seemed ridiculous and I find myself unable to even listen to the song anymore. To amplify the cheese factor by a million have Angela sing on it……. Man, I just can not stand this! And not to be out of the loop here but who in the fuck is Danko Jones?!?!?!
Now once or twice on the Gamma Ray, I was struck by the same kind of thoughts. I am just not used to these types of lyrics which are not doom and gloom with murder blasphemy and mayhem. However if I had to guess, I’d say it’s Gamma Ray who are going for the gold and really going for the hugest fan base, hoping to be like Maiden selling millions of records. So for them, these brief moments where a song has me thinking why the fuck would they play or sing something like that? I have to let them slide.
I think anyone who enjoys one of these records will actually like the other one, too. The musicianship is outstanding. You cover the entire spectrum of aggressive and progressive metal with true vocalists. Damn good ones too! I think it’s safe to say these records will gain both of these bands new fans who will look into their older releases as well. For Gamma Ray many will discover Kai Hansen used to command the ultra popular Helloween. For people who hear the Annihilator they will see this when they look at the track listing:
1. Clown Parade – feat. Jeff Loomis (Nevermore)
2. Couple Suicide – feat. Danko Jones (Danko Jones) & Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy)
3. Army Of One – feat. Steve ´Lips` Kudlow (Anvil)
4. Downright Dominate – feat. Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom)
5. Smothered – feat. Anders Bjørler (The Haunted)
6. Operation Annihilation – feat. Michael Amott (Arch Enemy)
7. Haunted – feat. Jesper Str ö mblad (In Flames)
8. Kicked – feat. Corey Beaulieu (Trivium)
9 . Detonation – feat. Jacob Lynam (Lynam)
10. Chasing The High – feat. Willie Adler (Lamb Of God)
If you like METAL you will want to hear the rest of these bands whose members made their contribution to this incredible historic record. How fucking cool was that of Jeff to do this? Seriously! This guy could have made this record with just the drummer and I have no doubts it would have been every bit as incredible. He is a very well respected guy who is apparently a hero to many people who have been into this music since the '80s.
My advice is buy both of these records. Then look into the history of the people who made them. Their stories are astonishing. Remember people, it is a huge fucking world out there and though we concentrate on what’s here in the US there’s a whole lot of things happening everywhere. These bands are only so popular here. In other parts of the world they are giants. These two brilliant records have the kind of undeniable magnetism to make more of what this fucking planet needs. MORE METALHEADS!!!!!!!!!!
My vote goes to Annihilator as the better record. It only took me a few months to make up my mind. I listened to both CDs so many times I could probably sing and play every song for you. My next review will be back to the much heavier genres of metal but it was a privilege to be asked my opinion on two of the greatest metal records I have heard in a long long time.