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I know the story about Kai Hansen's love for both Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.  I recently got Gamma Ray's Land of the Free II album and realized how close so many of their songs are to either Priest or Maiden.  If you go to Youtube, you can find clips of comparisons and see where Gamma Ray is almost doing note-for-note copying.

Although I tend to dislike people who copy, I will give credit to Gamma Ray.  Someone said it best when they mentioned how "Land of the Free II was the best Iron Maiden/Priest album in years!"  In many ways, this is true.  Gamma Ray had upgraded the sounds and style both bands have done over the years and added some fierce licks to the solos and harmonies.  Also, the lyrics are extremely (excuse the pun) powerful, focusing on less mythical issues and attempting to re-do what some of the more socially aware bands like Anthrax and Queensryche started in the 80's.

Some additional touches that I really like from Gamma Ray are the powerful use of synthesizers.  The 80's might have panned synths until the later parts, but many power metal bands have managed to incorporate synthesizers and super charge their music with classical overtures that befit epic movies.

Considering the band had put out this album in 2007, I have to really tip my hat in their direction, despite the obvious points where they "paid tribute" to their (and my) favorite bands.