The Summary Judgment Reviews:
Title: Blast From the Past
Artist: Gamma Ray
Label: Noise Records
Release Date: 7/11/00

Rating: 5 Skulls
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    • Pestilence's Review:
    Just for starters, this album is 100% the power metal that you would expect it to be. I will not be describing the sound that is achieved, as the power metal labeling should take care of that for you. Kai and crew have compiled a track listing that includes 3 songs from each studio album (plus one bonus track from an EP), using fan voting to make the selections. Having said this; it is not so much the band's greatest hits, but that of the fans', which is very cool to begin with. The older material has been redone much like what Iced Earth accomplished on Days Of Purgatory, and it is very well done. This material is no less than that of the mighty Blind Guardian (choral voices and all), who Kai spent some time with on their first couple of albums, except it is not quite as full of the elves and the dwarves (and the fairies of course).

    I must admit that I know very little of Gamma Ray's material from the full studio albums except for the amazing Somewhere Out In Space. To keep with the honesty, I don't know Helloween at all either. What I do know is that G.R. (along with new Nocturnal Rites – which you should also purchase) has put together a compilation that, just when I thought I had enough, has dragged me right back down to the grave…yeah right! What the hell are these guys singing about anyway? It sounds awful happy.

    You the reader will notice some negative references in this review, which I do not apologize for at all because it is truly what I feel. I mean even these guys themselves must recognize the inherent silliness of much of the song material. If you are continuing to read this, you probably are a fan of this power metal music and, quite possibly, you take it way too seriously. In some instances how could you not? I mean this is metalhead, upbeat theme music all the way. Not at all dark or evil, it is very uplifting and triumphant in a way that only power metal can be. As a matter of fact, if you are a complete dork, you can actually picture yourself (on a boat, on a river… on drugs) hacking and slaying and holding your sword high above your head in victory, grasping the ring of power… but I digress. What this music absolutely gives you is excellent song writing, musicianship, arrangement and, of course, plenty of sick crazy solos! I can make lots of fun of many of the less important elements, but this does not detract from the overall quality of the music for me. This is one double-CD power metal album all fans of this genre should embrace. It really makes you proud to be a metalhead; the talent, the sound, the metal…its fucking amazing!

    Some of the track highlights include the first 4 tracks on CD 1, which are all redone versions of tunes from the debut. "Heading for Tomorrow" is probably my favorite, blasting you through a 15 minute epic showing you tomorrow, all bright and shiny. Other goodies on CD 1 are "Dream Healer" and "Last Before The Storm". CD 2 is by far the best because it includes material from SOIS, which is the greatest on the entire compilation. If you are not familiar with this band at all, check out "Beyond The Black Hole" and "Somewhere Out In Space", and be prepared to be completely blown away. "The Silence" is another great track, except for the untimely resurrection of Freddy Mercury right in the middle. "Man On A Mission" almost sounds like something out of Gothenburg with the vocals mixed a little higher than they should be… a stretch? Maybe, but its still cool except for the falsetto hand-holding crap near the end. "Anywhere In The Galaxy" smashes you in the face about 5 minutes in, highly reminiscent of the best material off Judas Priest's classic Pain Killer. I would also highly recommend that final track, "Armageddon". It sounds so-so for the first 6 minutes, but then slams into your head and beats you down for a good couple of minutes to the end.

    In short, this compilation encapsulates everything that metal stands for in 2 little CD's, and will make you proud to bear the flag of the metal warrior you have always envisioned yourself to be.
    5 out of 5
    Pestilence

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