GiGinJapan Artwork of Japanese CDs (mostly) Gamma Ray / Osaka 1999 / 2CDR / Shades
Live at Umeda Heat Beat, Osaka, Japan 23rd June 1999
Play sample :
Finally, we entered the countdown state until the sighting of HELLOWEEN’s “PUMPKIN UNITED”. This week, two powerful original masters will be released. This work is one of them, GAMMA RAY’s “June 23, 1999: Umeda HEAT BEAT” performance recording of the best audience. Melodic Power Metal’s treasure trilogy “LAND OF THE FREE” “SOMEWHERE OUT IN SPACE” “POWER PLANT” is a live album of Tokuno concentrated and reduced into one show.
The biggest point of this work is in the ultimate Melopower Paradise, but first of all, the position of the show. Let’s check the tour schedule at that time.
・ June 23: Umeda HEAT BEAT [this work]
・ June 24: Nagoya Bottom Line
・ June 26: Shibuya ON AIR EAST
・ June 27: Club Citta Kawasaki
Above, all 4 performances. HELLOWEEN “OSAKA 2001 (Shades 878)” released at the same time this week was also the first day of coming to Japan, but GAMMA RAY was also the first day of the performance in Osaka. The quality is just the best. It is clear that the venue is swirling with a large chorus unique to GAMMA RAY, but the thick performance sound overwhelms the enthusiasm. The sound of the bass drum sounds like an audience recording, so it’s not the type that is mistaken for a sound board, but the straightness and clearness of the performance and singing voice is a masterpiece recording that makes you forget that it is a guest recording. That should be it, this work is a masterpiece that has been firing masterpieces in Osaka since the late 90’s. Even in our shop, you are familiar with the masterpieces of MEGADETH, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, and HALFORD, but this week, HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY editions have appeared from the treasured collection.
What is drawn with that quality is the rich melodic power metal Taoyuan Township. After all, that wonderful trilogy is condensed into one show, so there’s nothing wrong with it. The set is centered around the new work “POWER PLANT”, and the large-scale behavior of 7 out of 11 songs on the album. There are 3 songs each from “LAND OF THE FREE” and “SOMEWHERE OUT IN SPACE” and “I Want Out”. There is no number in the Ralf Scheepers era, it is a show where Kai Hansen’s vocals shine reasonably.
The balance is exactly the sequel to “ALIVE ’95”. Since “SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET” was a live version aimed at rare songs, counting the songs that could not be heard even with both works, “Anywhere In The Galaxy” “Short As Hell” “It’s A Sin” “Send” “Me A Sign”, “Beyond The Black Hole”, “Somewhere Out In Space”, “Valley Of The Kings” and other famous songs of the Yodare class. The concentration in the latter half of “HELL YEAH!” Is one of the special features that penetrates the entire full show.
And the ambition of the golden age is more than that. GAMMA RAY, whose members have been constantly changing, has finally settled on the lineup of “This is it!” It is full of single-minded performances without hesitation. Even with Kai’s vocals, which have been said to be various, the dignified appearance exceeds “ALIVE ’95”, and the taste that only he can sing is fully open. The audience who witnessed it also responded to the ultimate music of the founder of Melopawa with all their might. After “Rebellion In Dreamland”, there is a unique falsetto call and response, but the audience’s voices are very enjoyable and mellow. A sprint that drags around the thick chorus corps of “Beyond The Black Hole” that rushes from there. It is the ultimate in melopawa whose voice seems to die just by listening.
After this, GAMMA RAY goes in a strong direction. What is packed in this area is the essence of “Melodic Power Metal” with 100% purity just before that. Well, if you study so far, you have no choice but to do other things … It’s a rich, hot, ultimate paradise that you can’t help but think so. It is a masterpiece of a live album where you can fully enjoy the moment with the best sound.
The orthodox school is also cool, and the slash is refreshing. However, it is a brand that is packed with the real thrill of Melopawa. Now that “PUMPKIN UNITED” is realized, please enjoy the heyday of the founder Kai Hansen!
遂にHELLOWEENの“PUMPKIN UNITED”の目撃までカウントダウン状態に突入。そんな今週は、強力なオリジナル・マスター２連作が登場です。本作はそのうちの一作、GAMMA RAYの「1999年６月23日：梅田HEAT BEAT」公演の極上オーディエンス録音。メロディック・パワーメタル至宝の三部作『LAND OF THE FREE』『SOMEWHERE OUT IN SPACE』『POWER PLANT』が１つのショウに濃縮還元した特濃のライヴアルバムです。
本作最大のポイントは究極的なメロパワ・パラダイスにあるわけですが、まずはショウのポジション。当時のツアー・スケジュールで確認しておきましょう。
・６月23日：梅田HEAT BEAT 【本作】
・６月24日：名古屋ボトムライン
・６月26日：渋谷ON AIR EAST
・６月27日：クラブチッタ川崎
以上、全４公演。今週同時リリースのHELLOWEEN『OSAKA 2001（Shades 878）』も来日初日ですが、GAMMA RAYも大阪公演が初日でした。そのクオリティは、まさに極上。GAMMA RAYならではの大合唱が渦巻く会場なのはハッキリと分かるものの、極太な演奏音が熱狂をねじ伏せ、圧倒しきる。バスドラの鳴りにオーディエンス録音らしさがあるのでサウンドボードと間違えるタイプではありませんが、演奏と歌声の直球感とクリアさは客録なのを忘れるほどの名録音です。それもそのはず、本作は90年代後期から大阪で名作を連発している名手の作。当店でもMEGADETHやIRON MAIDEN、JUDAS PRIEST、HALFORDの傑作群でお馴染みの方ですが、今週はその秘蔵コレクションからHELLOWEEN編とGAMMA RAY編が登場したわけです。
そのクオリティで描かれるのは、濃厚なるメロディック・パワーメタルの桃源郷。何しろ、あの素晴らしき三部作が１つのショウに凝縮しているのですから、悪かろうハズがない。セットは新作『POWER PLANT』が軸となり、アルバム全11曲中７曲の大盤振る舞い。そこに『LAND OF THE FREE』『SOMEWHERE OUT IN SPACE』から３曲ずつと「I Want Out」。ラルフ・シーパース時代のナンバーは一切なく、カイ・ハンセンのヴォーカルが無理なく輝きまくるショウなのです。
そのバランスはまさに『ALIVE ’95』の続編たる趣き。『SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET』がレア曲狙いなライヴ盤だったこともあり、両作併せても聴けない曲を数えていくと「Anywhere In The Galaxy」「Short As Hell」「It’s A Sin」「Send Me A Sign」「Beyond The Black Hole」「Somewhere Out In Space」「Valley Of The Kings」とヨダレ級の名曲がてんこ盛り。『HELL YEAH!』後半の濃度がフルショウ全編を貫いてしまうような特濃の１本なのです。
そして、黄金時代の覇気はそれ以上。メンバー・チェンジの絶えなかったGAMMA RAYが遂に「コレだ！」というラインナップに落ち着き、２枚の超名盤を重ねた。その迷いのないひたむきな演奏に溢れ返っている。いろいろと言われてきたカイのヴォーカルにしても、堂々とした佇まいは『ALIVE ’95』を超え、彼にしか歌えない味わいが全開。それを目の当たりにした観客達も、究極に到達したメロパワ創始者の音楽に全力の唱和で応える。「Rebellion In Dreamland」の後には独特なファルセットのコール＆レスポンスが起こりますが、観客の声はもの凄く楽しげながらえらくビシッと揃っている。そこから突入する「Beyond The Black Hole」のぶ厚いコーラス隊を引きずり回す激疾走……。聴いているだけで声が枯れそうなメロパワの至極です。
この後、ストロングな方向へ進むGAMMA RAY。本区に詰まっているのは、その直前となる純度100％な“メロディック・パワーメタル”の粋です。そりゃあ、ここまで究めたら他の事もやるしかないわな……そう思わざるを得ないほど濃厚で熱く、究極的なパラダイス。その刹那を極上サウンドで味わい尽くせるライヴアルバムの大傑作です。
正統派もカッコイイし、スラッシュも爽快。でも、それだけじゃないメロパワだけの醍醐味が詰まりに詰まった銘品。“PUMPKIN UNITED”が実現する今だからこそ、創始者カイ・ハンセンの全盛期も存分にお楽しみください！
Disc 1(57:24)
1. Intro 2. Anywhere in the Galaxy 3. Gardens of the Sinner 4. Short As Hell 5. Man on a Mission
6. Heavy Metal Universe 7. The Saviour / Rebellion in Dreamland 8. Beyond the Black Hole
9. Bass & Drum Solo
Disc 2(56:23)
1. Somewhere Out in Space 2. It’s a Sin 3. Valley of the Kings 4. Armageddon
5. Send Me a Sign 6. Land of the Free 7. Henjo Richter Guitar Solo 8. I Want Out
Kai Hansen – Gitars, Vocals Henjo Richter – Guitars
Dirk Schlachter – Bass Dan Zimmermann – Drums
Shades 877
