Gamma Ray

Much like 1997's Somewhere out in Space, this is a concept album. This time out, former Helloween leader Kai Hansen's band buys into the themes presented by author Mark Brauneis, a conspiracy nut whose tales of the all-powerful Illuminati go directly into No World Order. Musically, the band gets back to Hansen's NWOBHM roots a shade more than in the past, eschewing ornate prog metal for basic riffing and songwriting that evokes ancient Queensrÿche and primal Judas Priest ("Solid" is a virtual reworking of "Rapid Fire"). It's a step back that works for the band, one that's sure to please old school metal fans who have not had new material of this quality and ilk in some time. ~ Brian O'Neill, All Music Guide