Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Gamma Ray “Heading For The East” Sanctuary Visual Ent. 2003 Reviewed by: Ken Pierce

Track Listing1. Lust For Life 2. Heaven Can Wait 3. Space Eater 4. Freetime 5. Who Do You Think You Are 6. The Silence 7. Save Us 8. I Want Out 9. Ride The Sky 10. Hold Your Ground 11. Money 12. Heading For Tomorrow

My first exposure to the music of Gamma Ray was back in 1991 when Kai Hansen had left Helloween to start this side project of power metal. I really liked the first CD entitled “Heading For Tomorrow” and fortunately for me the core of the material comes from this release. Power metal was slowly becoming my music of choice since the States was being consumed with the Grunge movement. Now, I liked most of the bands that came out from this movement, but I preferred the majesty and drive that European Power Metal had to offer.

This review will be a short one, since the DVD is such a straight forward live video essentially. The angles are not complex nor all that creative (yet it was shot in 1990). My rating, while not that high is by no means a reflection on the band performance. The sound is full of power and tight. Not much of a difference to the CD that I mentioned earlier. Kai sings a song called “Ride The Sky” showing what a great vocalist he actually is. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the classic Helloween tune “I Want Out”. Ralf Scheepers does not disappoint on this one. The rest of the lineup for the DVD is Kai Hansen (Guitar), Dirk Schlachter (guitars, bass), Uli Kusch (drums), Uwe Wenzel (bass, guitars), and Jom Ellerbrock (keyboards).

I recommend this DVD for the die-hard fan mainly. Newcomers might enjoy it, but the lack of any real features besides the concert might disappoint some viewers.

Rating: 6/10

Bonus Features:
Nothing to speak of on this except the track by track audio comment by journalist Malcolm Dome and members of the band.

Gamma Ray Homepage: www.gamma-ray.com


--Ken Pierce 06.22.04