Reviewed by Mohsen Fayyazi

Artist: GAMMA RAY

EP: Master Of Confusion

Label: EARMUSIC

Year: 2013

Tracklist:

A Side
1. Empire Of The Undead
2. Master Of Confusion
B Side
3. Death Or Glory
4. Lost Angels
C Side*
5. The Spirit
6. Wings Of Destiny
7. Gamma Ray
8. Farewell
9. Time To Break Free
10. Insurrection
*Recorded live in Bochum.

No matter where I’m going
And anywhere I roam         
I am the master of confusion…

Do you think you really know the meaning of powerful heavy metal? When the hammer pounds a real steel anvil, when the heart beats faster and adrenalin pumps through the veins, when the speedometer of a super sports car goes out of control? If so, you should know the remarkable metal music of Kai Hansen’s GAMMA RAY. A band which seems to be unstoppable in producing outstanding power metal. Since Kai parted ways from the legendary HELLOWEEN and formed a rayzed band, it became a legend. Kai continued in the exact same way of writing pure melodic power metal, just like before with HELLOWEEN in the 80’s era, with such masterpieces as “Keepers Of The Seven Keys” Part I and II. I hope you understand that I am talking about true heavy metal.

Rayz are going to release a new EP, “Master Of Confusion”, which I can call a unique one. 10 tracks and 60 minutes in length made this EP unusual, or in other words the longest EP I have ever seen. “Master Of Confusion” is set to be released on March 15th, 2013 via EarMUSIC. “Empire Of The Undead” is really a stormy intro, which starts with a fast guitar riff with exactly GAMMA RAY ‘s power metal formula. I can tell you that the main riff of this track reminds me a little of HELLOWEEN‘s “Ride the Sky.” The band also used a fast and short guitar riff on a chromatic scale as a bridge, which reminds me of the beginning of MANOWAR‘s masterpiece “Kings Of Metal.” The second track is the title track. It’s a pure power metal song with heavy power chords, fast riffs and a great guitar solo which will beam the gamma rays into your head. The big fans of GAMMA RAY (I don’t mean Linkin Park or Limp Bizkit’s fans at all) will love Kai’s singing style in both new songs, as much as they did before, with the tracks like “Salvations Calling,” “Heavy Metal Universe,” or “Ride the Sky.” He sang in both high and deep notes, exactly as we know him, I must confess that sometimes I prefer Kai ‘s distorted voice even more than Michael Kiske, as it gives a heavier feeling.

The third track is “Death Or Glory.” It is a great choice to cover and honestly our Rayz did it very well. I must confess again that I couldn’t believe my ears at the first time listening. If you love NWOBHM like me and if you like the 80’s band HOLOCAUST, then you will love Kai Hansen’s version of this wonderful track as well. I should mention here that also previously, GAMMA RAY covered another song by HOLOCAUST – “Heavy Metal Mania” on their 1996 live album “Alive ’95” as well. This EP includes another cover song, which is “Lost Angels” by SWEET. You will find this track a little power metal-ish rock ‘n’ roll and the band used keyboards more than usual. After “Lost Angels” there are six live tracks which were recorded in Bochum.

I am sure my friend Dennis Jarman who is not a big fan of  GAMMA RAY, would agree with me that the band are very good at performing live. In fact, sometimes if you couldn’t hear the sound of the crowd, you wouldn’t believe it’s a live song. All the live tracks on this EP sound excellent, guitars, bass, drums and of course vocals, were played and recorded with very good quality. You can feel the same energy and power when you are listening to the live versions of “Wings Of Destiny” and “Gamma Ray,” just as you did with the studio ones before. You can have a peaceful moment by listening to the power ballad track “Farewell” from the “Land Of The Free” album. This track could even make your hair stand on end when Kai sings with power “You will see the light again, we’ll all be free someday…” Can you tell me which word is more precious than freedom?! The seventh track is “Time To Break Free,” which featured Michael Kiske on vocals. I’m not a big fan of him but there is no doubt that any melodic power metal song could be made even better with him as the singer. The last track is “Insurrection,” which is an epic option as the final song.

The artwork of this EP is another masterpiece, just like the others before. Five moons in a cloudy sky, a volcano on the left side, ten magical dices with some symbols such as a skull, 666, wizard, 13, yin yang, pentagram … and a flaming monster in the middle of the picture, with three pyramids in the background. They are all painting another fantasy view which may help you to get a good taste of GAMMA RAY ‘s “Master Of Confusion.”

“Master Of Confusion,” which includes two brand new songs from the legendary GAMMA RAY, may be the longest EP that you have seen and it is again more true power metal from them. I recommend buying a hard copy of this EP to all the big fans of the band. My rating for the “Master Of Confusion” EP is 9/10. Also I believe metalheads who are going to go to the Hellish Rock Tour – Part 2 will have awesome moments with GAMMA RAY ‘s “Master of Confusion,” along with HELLOWEEN ‘s latest album, “Straight Out Of Hell.”