Gamma Ray’s latest offering Majestic is an uncompromising return to form for these German power metal legends and the performance they delivered was an equally majestic one. Kai Hansen’s band (formed in 1989 after he left fellow German power-metal outfit Helloween) had never visited Australia before so it was with great anticipation that hordes of metal fans, both old and new, packed the Hi-Fi Bar for what promised to be an awesome show which drew from over 18 years of the band’s history.

Melbourne’s accomplished Vanishing Point, having recently opened for Black Label Society, also had the honour of beginning proceedings for Gamma Ray and they treated their fans to a collection of hits before closing the show with Never Walk Alone. Vanishing Point set the scene for Germany’s finest, the band everyone had come to see. This however was not before a hand, who I assumed belonged to that of comical local radio host and German metal aficionado Peter Fundeis, emerged from behind the curtain calling for the crowd to make some noise. The fans in attendance did not disappoint as a chant of “Gamma Ray” was cheered loudly and proudly.

Eventually the lights went dim and out came Kai Hansen, Henjo Richter, Dan Zimmerman and the colourful Dirk Schlacter, ripping into the anthemic Gardens Of The Sinner from 1998’s Power Plant album. The band then fast-forwarded to the No World Order album to play the title track which was received by the crowd with a wave of raised fists. The look of elation on people’s faces was unlike what I have seen at any other show and indeed it was hard to believe that after 18 years the boys from Hamburg had finally made it to “Aussie land”. Kai was quick to remind the crowd of this fact before bursting into a chant of “Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi”, nailing it like a local! This was followed by 1996’s uplifting Miracle, before a couple of numbers from their latest album.

Fight and Blood Religion were instant classics from an album that has cemented Gamma Ray back on top of the power metal world. Perhaps, however, they would prefer the term Heavy Metal Universe, an exact declaration of defiance the band played next. Naturally, there was a drum and bass section mid song where Kai prompted the crowd to sing the title. The looks on the band’s faces following the crowd’s positive reaction suggested they did not regret the 24 hour flight one little bit. In fact, Kai decided to christen their Aussie followers “Gamma Roos”; gotta love that German humour!

“It’s time to do something from my past!” Kai’s eight simple words caused the Hi-Fi Bar to erupt even more as the band launched into a medley of Helloween classics, namely Ride The Sky, Future World and the timeless classic I Want Out. The band then slowed things down and cigarette lighters lit up the room as 1989’s The Silence gave fans the opportunity to just sit back and truly soak in the mastery of the band before them. Although it must be said that the band’s playing was to a tee, the sound at the Hi-Fi bar was not perfect and couldn’t match that as found on Gamma Ray’s heavily produced albums. However, the band’s energy and musicianship more than made up for it, doing justice to the entire set list. The crowd was then treated to another number from the debut album, this time opting for the epic title track Heading For Tomorrow. Land Of The Free and Valley Of The Kings followed soon after (was any song tonight not a classic?!), followed by the crowd being treated to not one but two encores, thanks to their relentless chanting after the band left the stage. The first of these was Somewhere Out In Space whilst Send Me A Sign closed what was an awesome show. The lads took a well deserved bow and announced that they would stick around to sign autographs and take photos, not a common feat these days with bands, especially not one of Gamma Ray’s statuses; truly power metal’s finest.