Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys - Part II
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
Show all reviews by Tommy

Ratings

Tommy: 8/10

Members: 10/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



Member ratings

Profile picturenotrap

Rating: 10/10
No review was posted

This article has been shown 5755 times. Go to the complete list.



RevelationZ Comments


Comment by nihilist (Anonymous) - Tuesday, June 14, 2005
this is indeed one of the greatest power metal albums


Comment by TyleX (Anonymous) - Tuesday, June 14, 2005
10/10 enough said!!!!!!


Comment by Brian (Anonymous) - Wednesday, June 15, 2005
A true classic


Comment by Metalwittnes (Anonymous) - Sunday, June 19, 2005
You didn`t include save us in the review! the first song I heard fron helloween and one of the greatest.I think that`s why you only give 8/10. I really think it is a poor calification for a real classic


Comment by Tommy (Member) - Sunday, June 19, 2005
Profile picture

View Profile


Comments: 74
Ratings: 31
@ Metalwittnes

Save Us was not intended for the album and was featured as a bonus track on a number of versions, even if I took it into consideration my rating would still be the same, it's a pretty powerful and cool song though.

Tommy
RevelationZ Magazine

Posted by Tommy
Sunday, June 19, 2005

Comment by Bruno (Anonymous) - Monday, June 20, 2005
This is the perfect classic Album, marvelous!!


Comment by asdfasdf (Anonymous) - Friday, July 1, 2005
You forgot "Save us" which is one of the best songs on the album!!!



Comment by kris (Anonymous) - Wednesday, July 13, 2005
we re talking about a masterpiece!!!!!!!!!


Comment by TwilightMessiah (Anonymous) - Saturday, March 25, 2006
8/10 F**K YOU!!! 15/10 FOR IT! Helloween Rlz!!!


Comment by king diamond (Anonymous) - Saturday, July 29, 2006
this album rocks hard. very special and unique. impossible to do again the same thing. the melodic is impressive.


Comment by notrap (Member) - Monday, September 22, 2008
Profile picture

View Profile


Comments: 55
Ratings: 66
Keeper Part II it's a unique Album.
If we feel Priest and Maiden influences in Walls of Jericho and Keeper I..Keeper Part II has a unique combination of Heavy/Speed and humor concepts.
Back in 88, this Album put Helloween on the chart...Everybody said they were the new Maiden.
If you listen carefully Hammerfall, Angra, Stratovarius&co you find Keeper's influence.
Like I said, I found this album unique and magic.

10/10


Posted by notrap
Monday, September 22, 2008

Comment by VeX (Member) - Friday, July 23, 2010
Profile picture

View Profile


Comments: 81
Ratings: 0
I have to give this album a 10/10 it's perfection in every sense of the word. Top of the line musicianship, great melodic songs, and at the same time they don't take themselves too seriously. 10/10 all the way!

Posted by VeX
Friday, July 23, 2010










Review by Tommy
None

Released by
Noise - 1988

Tracklisting
1. Invitation
2. Eagle Fly Free
3. You Always Walk Alone
4. Rise And Fall
5. Dr. Stein
6. We Got The Right
7. March Of Time
8. I Want Out
9. Keeper Of The Seven Keys
10. Save Us


Style
Power Metal

Related links
Visit the band page

Helloween - Official Website

Other articles
The Dark Ride - (Tommy)

Rabbit Don´t Come Easy - (Tommy)

Live With Rage, Amager Bio, Copenhagen - 9th December, 2003 - (Tommy)

Mrs. God (Single) - (Steen)

Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy - (Tommy)

Walls Of Jericho / Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Parts 1 & 2 / Pink Bubbles Go Ape (Re-issues) - (Brian)

Expanded Reissues, Part Two: Chameleon; Master Of The Rings; Time Of The Oath; Better Than Raw. - (Brian)

Live In Sao Paulo - (Brian)

Gambling With The Devil - (Steen)

7 Sinners - (Brian)



Z supported shopping






Ratings
1 - Horrifying
2 - Terrible
3 - Bad
4 - Below average
5 - Average
6 - Good
7 - Very good
8 - Outstanding
9 - Genius
10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

More details...


Daily Spotlight
D:A:D - Riskin' It All
CoverThis was my first D:A:D album and in fact the first time I really started taking notice of Rock music back in the day. 1991 t....
Read full review















Retro Reviews

(Tommy)
Bruce Dickinson - Accident Of Birth
CoverAccident Of Birth is one of those rare and really special highlights in the history of classic Heavy Metal. Bruce's solo career has been highly successful with many great albums, this one being his be....
Read full review






(Steen)
Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
CoverMy first encounter with Meat Loaf was back in 1993 when I'd Do Anything For Love was at it's peak. Everybody I knew hated that song but I thought there was something intriguing about ....
Read full review








Archive
 · Albums of the month
 · Retro Reviews
































Back to the top - © 2002-2011 RevelationZ Magazine - Back to the top