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Events and Reports - Gamma Ray - Gamma Ray and special guests: Freedom Call - Live at Kulturbolaget, Malmö, Sweden - February 25th, 2010.
Being a very big fan of both Gamma Ray and Freedom Call and an admirer of the whole German Power Metal scene for years, I was looking tremendously forward to tonight's show.
Kulturbolaget is a cool venue, located in the center of Malmo, with a nice stage, usually good sound and fairly cheap beer. We arrived just after the doors opened, as the venue has been known to put bands on earlier than scheduled, and missing a few Freedom Call songs would be nothing short of disaster to yours truly!
Freedom Call
The German band with the ever changing line up went on a little later than announced, leaving room to hang out and chat a little with fellow Metalheads, getting a few beers and buying some merchandise.
Even though I have seen Freedom Call many, many times before (around 12 or 13), it seems I get ecstatic every time I stand in front of the stage, waiting for my heroes to appear. There's just something magical about the way these guys approach the melodic Metal style, that get's me each time.
So, with butterflies in my stomach, and the new excellent album Legend Of The Shadowking fresh in mind, I took a deep breath, as the light turned on and the guys finally appeared on stage.
Starting out with We Are One was an excellent choice , this song rules and reminds all how much Freedom Call are capable of, despite varying quality in some of their later albums. What a great Metal anthem, that got fists pumping right from the start!
When the band went into a perfect rendition of Tears Of Babylon from the new album, I went completely nuts! That song just has a majestic and captivating feel to it, and proves that sometimes it doesn't take more than just one recognizable keyboard riff to create that grand atmosphere. I think I broke my own record for jumping up and down manically, only to set a new record, when the band went into a convincing version of Land Of Light.
This was the first time I saw this line up perform live, with only Chris Bay left from the original line up. I must say the band seemed very tight, they worked well as a unit and seemed to have a lot of fun on stage. Chris Bay's performance has never been completely flawless live, but the energy and enthusiasm he exudes always make up for that, and make everyone forget about any tiny flaws and just get caught up in the show. I am not aware, if Daniel Zimmermann is still with Freedom Call or not, but tonight it was Klaus Sperling from Primal Fear handling the drums. The absence of a live keyboard player seemed a little awkward, as the keyboard plays such a prominent role in Freedom Call's music.
Unfortunately, the Swedes, an otherwise passionate audience, held back a bit during the support act. That was a shame, since the band did a magical show. At the front row I could see people standing completely still, relaxing their arms on the stage and seeming almost bored. For shame!
After the show, I was almost ready to go die, as I was sure, my life could never get any better!
Gamma Ray
As the time for headliner's entrance drew near, the audience gathered closer to the stage, and the atmosphere was almost electric. People were getting psyched and ready to rock!
Gamma Ray started out strong with the fantastic Gardens Of The Sinner from the great Powerplant album, a powerful and sing-a-long friendly opener.
The set turned out, not surprisingly, to be focused on the new album, To The Metal!
As I'm not really convinced about the splendor of that album, my emotions are mixed about the band playing so many new songs. Of course, catchy and melodic stuff like this always go down easier in a live situation, but some of the songs are if not boring, then at least a bit lackluster or lifeless for Gamma Ray standard. I'm talking about stuff like the unnecessary ballad No Need To Cry or the horrible titletrack, almost an exact replica of Judas Priest's Metal Gods added a half-baked chorus. I know the guys are capable of so much more. Nevertheless, in a live situation the songs worked a lot better than on record, as they were injected with that contagious live energy, the band is know and loved for.
I was taken with surprise about how good a live band Gamma Ray still is. It is clear that they believe 100 percent in their own vision, and in their company, you can't help but not being touched and grabbed by the intense display of emotion and passion. The guys are all excellent musicians as well. To be honest, I feared Kai Hansen's vocals would sound a little, how shall I say it, worn out, but he seriously delivered a great performance! Charismatic as performer as well as a singer, Mr. Hansen always come across as highly devoted, always with a huge smile on his face and some energetic talk to the crowd between songs.
Rebellion In Dreamland is a classic in the band's live shows, and always sends fists pumping into the air, and ensuring loud singing all over then place, and no matter how good or bad your singing sounds, it never fails to lift the spirit. And that's what Power Metal is all about! The song is the textbook example of heavy foundation meets melodic filling, it has everything a Power Metal fan can wish for, and really got the crowd moving!
The Saviour - Abyss Of The Void marked the only surprise of the show, as this song is certainly not a given at a Gamma Ray show, but an amazing song, nonetheless, and one that made me burst out in appreciative song!
The band's passionate rendition of Armageddon was pure bliss! A song this long sure demands something extra to keep the interest of the listener, as well as some "muscle" to pull off live, so you can say it is a testimony to Gammay Ray's talents, both as songwriters and live musicians.
As usual when the band performs, an old Helloween song was included in the end, taking the audience back to a time, where Kai himself helped shape the genre in its early stages, as a part of Helloween. I Want Out quenched the Metalheads' thirst for old school Power Metal.
The great performance was ended by the criminally catchy Send Me A Sign, that had the entire hall screaming along!
As said earlier, I was a little afraid Gamma Ray had gone downhill, since I find the new album to be quite dire, but one thing is for sure: live, these guys are still going strong and sweep away most of their peers! The new songs turned out to work better live than on record, and the old classics are always a pleasure. In conclusion, this was a splendid evening, with two of my favorite bands giving it all they got!
Freedom Call setlist:
1.We Are One
2. United Alliance
3. Thunder God
4. Tears Of Babylon
5. Hunting High And Low
6. Metal Invasion
7. Mr. Evil
8. Out Of The Ruins
9. Far Away
10. Warriors
11. Land Of Light
12. Freeom Call
Gamma Ray setlist:
1 Welcome
2. Gardens Of The Sinner
3. New World Order
4. Empathy
5. Deadlands
6. Fight
7. Mother Angel
8. No Need To Cry
9. The Saviour/ Abyss Of The Void
10. Drum Solo
11. Armageddon
12. Guitar Solo (Kai)
13. To The Metal
14. Rebellion In Dreamland
Encores
I Want Out (Helloween cover)
Send Me A Sign
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All photos taken by Lunah Lauridsen - www.metalmoments.com | Written by Nina
Sunday, May 2, 2010 |
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Steen (Staff) - Sunday, May 2, 2010 | 
View Profile
Comments: 518 | | Sounds like a great time!!
Posted by Steen (Staff)
Sunday, May 2, 2010 |
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| Comment by Stuart (Staff) - Monday, May 3, 2010 | 
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Comments: 116 | | You have seen Freedom Call 12-13 times??? You big show off ;)
I've sadly only seen them and Gamma Ray once :(
Posted by Stuart (Staff)
Monday, May 3, 2010 |
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| Comment by Craig (Member) - Tuesday, May 4, 2010 | 
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Comments: 134
Ratings: 29 | | As far as I know Dan is still a member of Freedom Call, I guess playing two shows a night is maybe just too much for him these days. The time I saw them it was definitely a little weird with no keyboard player onstage.
Posted by Craig
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 |
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| Comment by Nina (Staff) - Tuesday, May 4, 2010 | 
View Profile
Comments: 40 | |
Steen: Yeah, ít sure was!
Stuart: Yeah, I know! They are one of my favorite bands (hell, I'm even in the fan club), and I've just been in luck, as they were touring heavily in support of the first two albums, and have been playing a lot of festivals also. Funny thing is, I've never seen them play in Denmark!
Craig: Yes, Dan is still with the band, I found out. I guess you're right about the two shows in one night thing, would be pretty crazy hard for him! Oh, and yeah, in my oppinion they surely need to get a new live keyboarder.
Posted by Nina (Staff)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 |
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