Helloween in so many ways define what Power Metal is all about; speed, melody, energy and heavy song structures. Keeper II is one of the biggest classics of the genre and became something to measure up to after its release in 1988. Years later it still stands out as something unique.
Much of the album's charm comes from an easygoing and sick humoured vibe,
Dr. Stein is both silly and completely catchy. It hasn't got the most exciting main rhythm, but the refrain is bound to influence your mood positively.
Helloween has always been able to balance playfulness and seriousness in their own remarkable way.
Some of these lyrics are notoriously weird and at the same time quite funny, standing up for your rights and living life to the full are more identifiable issues.
Eagle Fly Free is a perfect powerful opener; an elevating chorus line and some chunky bass chords are a few of many great elements found in this forceful tune.
You Always Walk Alone offers some clever guitar arrangements but overall I don't think this track really comes together. It kind of passes you by without leaving much of an impression; I miss a tighter structure and a more distinct idea with the whole thing.
The before mentioned easygoing aspect is present from the start of
Rise And Fall, there is at least some substance behind the term happy happy
Helloween. I just can't get enough of this song with its wonderful melodic flow and tight riffing.
Michael Kiske's impressive vocal range enhances the whole record and in
We Got The Right he really shines bright. The high-pitched screams sound phenomenal. This is a less typical mid-tempo
Helloween song and it adds an interesting dimension to the album, the jamming approach gives it a loose and rather fitting structure.
March Of Time is a speedy Metal hymn with a great sing-a-long chorus pushing it forth, the singing is once again marvellous.
I Want Out has been given that ultra memorable guitar lick that stays in your head a long time after, surely this is one of the catchiest songs coming out of the eighties Metal scene.
The harmonious guitar solo is divided into two complimenting parts making way for a minor break right before the ending section, all in all a fantastic song.
When talking about Metal epics there is no way around
Keeper Of The Seven Keys, the grand scope of this creation becomes apparent right from the first soft acoustic chords, setting the scene for the atmospheric vocals and soaring keys to work their charm.
Thunderous solo spots, ingenious bass lines, intriguing drumming and the smooth way the songs very different passages are tied together make this an excellent opus.
Overall the execution is high class on every front; it's a joy to listen to any instrument you pick out, and the production is immensely well-balanced and clear, one of the coolest bass sounds I can think of.
Through a march of time this one still manages to fascinate.
Written by
Tommy Monday, June 13, 2005
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