Empire of the Undead isn't going to raise any eyebrows with its innovativeness, but given Gamma Ray's place near the top of the power metal family tree, the album's tight writing and expert execution make it easy to cut the band some slack. All in all, Empire of the Undead is a fine entry in the group's expansive catalog, and since the album's very existence is a minor miracle, longtime fans of the band should have few complaints.