Rock Bands & Pop Stars
Gamma Ray Pictures
Band:
Gamma Ray
Origin:
Germany, HamburgGermany
Band Members:
Kai Hansen (vocals, guitar), Henjo Richter (guitar, keyboards), Dirk Schlächter (guitar, bass), and Dan Zimmermann (drums)
Gamma Ray Album: «Skeletons & Majesties»
Gamma Ray Album: «Skeletons & Majesties» (Front side)
    Album information
  • Title:Skeletons & Majesties
  • Release date:
  • Type:Audio CD
  • Label:
  • UPC:
Track listing
  • 1Hold Your Ground (originally on "Heading For Tomorrow")
  • 2Brothers (originally on "Insanity And Genius")
  • 3Send Me A Sign (originally on "Powerplant")
  • 4Rebellion In Dreamland (originally on "Land Of The Free")Bonustracks:
  • 5Wannabees (from album "To The Metal!" 7'' Vinyl never before on CD!)
  • 6Brothers (Extended Version)
  • 7Rebellion In Dreamland (Karaoke Version)
Review - Product Description
Sifting through some old material from previous albums, Gamma Ray found a heap of songs that had never really been heard live before from their audience. The band decided to kick off their upcoming 2011 tour with a bang and change their normal set list around a bit. Featuring more of their "Skeletons", they wanted to show another side and get the material to the fans.

The real twist comes with their "Majesties", taking some of their biggest, well-known hits and transforming them into new acoustic versions of themselves, showing their new chemistry and vibes. To shorten the fans waiting time and to give an impression of what's coming up in the next month, the band decided to release an exclusive 4 track Mini-Album with songs of classic albums re-recorded between November 2010 and February 2011with a new vibe.

To hype the awaited record even more, the band added a karaoke track to choose their new choir for their upcoming album! Fans can be a part of the competition by sending in a recording of their version of the song via tape, mp3 or other sound file. Be sure not to miss the beginning of a new part of the bands history with "Skeletons & Majesties".

This is by all means a real collector's item including "Wannabees" on CD for the very first time as well as an extended version of "Brothers" and the karaoke version of "Rebellion In Dreamland" bundled with the exclusive competition plus the outtakes after a 10 minute break - making it even more special.

Customer review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
- Interesting, but not essential, EP

Now this is an odd little "mini-album" from German power metal legends Gamma Ray. Skeletons & Majesties is an EP with some new material and some interesting takes on some Gamma Ray classics. Here's what you get:

1. Hold Your Ground - This is a new version of the Heading For Tomorrow song.

2. Brothers - This is a new version of the Insanity and Genius song.

3. Send Me a Sign - This is an acoustic version of the Powerplant song.

4. Rebellion in Dreamland - This is an acoustic version of the Land of the Free song.

5. Wannabees - This is a fairly rare b-side that is available on CD for the first time here.

6. Brothers (extended version) - This version is about a minute longer than the regular version.

7. Rebellion in Dreamland (karaoke version) - This is intended to be used in a contest the band is currently running. The terms "Gamma Ray" and "karaoke" never came together in my mind, but this is a neat idea.

Some of these songs are fairly interesting, but for the most part this EP just doesn't seem all that necessary. I don't see the point of the remakes of "Hold Your Ground" and "Brothers" and I'll probably never listen to the last two tracks again. That leaves "Wannabees," which isn't that great a song, and the acoustic tracks, which are quite good. In the end, if you're a die-hard Gamma Ray fan, you'll probably feel compelled to get this one (and even then it's not worth getting excited about). Casual fans should steer clear and wait for the next studio album.