Gamma Ray-Land Of The Free (1995)

Taking inspiration from the iconic 1970s German progressive rock song Birth Control, guitarist and composer Kai Hansen formed Gamma Ray, a band that followed the same musical principles as his previous band, Helloween. After three albums of tremendous power metal, in 1995 they released one of the cornerstones of epic and grandiose metal with "Land of the Free." On this album, Hansen himself took over vocals from former vocalist Ralf Scheepers, while the rest of the lineup consisted of Dirk Schlächter (guitar), Jan Rubach (bass), Thomas Nack (drums), and Sascha Paeth (keyboards), in addition to a guest appearance by his former Helloween bandmate, Michael Kiske. Composed of a series of extensive compositions full of dynamism, power and epicness, here are cuts such as the thrilling "Rebellion In Dreamland", the incisive "Man on A Mission", the emotional "Farewell" or the brilliant "Time To Break Free", resulting in an essential album within the epic heavy metal of the nineties.