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Formed
by ex-Helloween founder Kai Hanson in 1989, Gamma Ray deliver a package
of melodic power metal that seems only European countries are still able
to produce in such high quality. Not surprising then to see the fans
still flock to hear this type of metal.
Skeleton’s is an album full of quality tracks that Gamma Ray rarely or
never play live and the final track listing was voted for by the fans
themselves via the net. A subsequent tour was put together to promote
the idea.
The album was then recorded live on the Skelton’s in the Closet tour
in 2002 at Barcelona’s Razzmatazz 1 on 31st October and then also at
La Laiterie in Strasbourg on 2nd November. The album was then mixed and
mastered by Kai Hansen and Dirk Schlachter at Hansen Studios, Hamburg
and produced by the band themselves.
If you’re not familiar with Gamma Ray you are missing out on a great
deal. Skeleton’s delivers metal at its best with ripping guitars, ear
piercing vocals and manic drum beats. The album opens up with the crowd
chanting over the intro welcome. Then comes the ‘Garden of the
Sinner’ which just blows you away. Fast guitars, a pounding drum beat,
basically metal as it was meant to be played. None of this nu-metal
wishy washy stuff. Just good old fashioned metal as it was intended.
‘Rich and Famous’ is more of the same (Thank You!). Things slow down
a little with ‘All of the Damned’ but just for the intro then its
back to the ripping guitar licks and power vocals.
As I said before, the album is pure class even some of the longer tracks
such as ‘Armageddon’, ‘Heavy Metal Universe’, and ‘Victim of
Fate’ still keep you hooked even the drum solo by Dan Zimmermann which
lasts over five minutes is impressive.
‘Skelton’s in the Closet’ is a joy to listen to. If you are a fan
of Iron Maiden, or Judas Priest, then I would highly recommend you catch
a listen to this gem of a live album. It will surely have you raising
your fist and making the horns in salute to these metal gods - Gamma
Ray.
A limited edition of "Skeletons In The Closet" will come as 2
CD Digi-Pack, containing the exclusive video bonus tracks 'Gardens Of
The Sinner' and 'Razorblade Sigh', plus backstage footage in an enhanced
section. Both the limited edition and the regular double CD will come
with a 32 page booklet containing many photographs taken on stage, off
stage, backstage and elsewhere during the tour.
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Tracklisting:
CD One
1. Welcome
2. Gardens of the Sinner
3. Rich and Famous
4. All of the Damned
5. No Return
6. Armageddon
7. Heavy metal Universe
8. One with the World
9. Dan’s Solo
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Tracklisting:
CD Two
1. Razorblade Sigh
2. Heart of the Unicorn
3. Last before the Storm
4. Victim of Fate
5. Rising Star/Shine On
6. The Silence
7. Heaven or Hell
8. Guardians of Mankind
9. New world Order
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