Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy
One of the true Power Metal titans returns with a title that brings back sweet memories for many Metal fans, there is no denying either the musical quality or the genre-wise importance of the first two Keeper discs.
To be frank I don't really se the logic in entitling this the third keeper album (or making it a two disc release), lyrically there are some hints back in time but the music but perhaps they just wanted to hype it a bit. Otherwise the lyrical essence deals with aspects ranging from deep despair to high hopes with an overall a decent end result.

The nearly 14-minute The King For A 1000 Years is a lot to take in at first but generally it's a tight and strong composition showing exciting structural skills.
The keyboard fills in different roles and helps building a strong fundament in the slower parts, but rest assured, there is plenty of power and speed here too.

The lead melody leading into Born On Judgment Day is just typical Helloween, catchy and important to the overall picture.
A one-way road Power Metal song kept straight to the point, injected a dynamic twin solo spot and some intriguing bass lines.

A song like Pleasure Drone features a blistering guitar solo spot but never really becomes spectacular, the chorus section is a bit on the dull side.

At one point I find Mrs. God a bit silly and simple, on the other hand I from time to time go around singing the chorus out loud, all in all it's a good song.
I haven't found a good reason for including the first irritating minute of Occasion Avenue, but when the song kicks into action its well worth the wait. The heavy guitar riff and Andi Deris' soaring vocals are both thrilling and Dani Loeble's forceful drumming another treat.

When looking on the calmer side of the album, Light The Universe proves a weighty and high-class ballad. A caressing piano melody sets a moody stage for the blossoming male/female vocal harmony. The way the keyboard builds tension before the soft guitar solo sets in works splendidly and overall this is a great cut.

Come Alive is a great rocker with an irresistible chorus line added a cool guitar intermission for an extra inch of diversity.

As was the case with a few songs on the first Keeper III disc, The Shade In The Shadow also represents a decent and rather powerful composition that is too standard in character.it doesn't grab you attention as you continue to hope it eventually will.

To leave us with the last impression the vigorous My Life For One More Day has been selected to round things off. Again a fine song that doesn't exactly impress, not because it's lacking melody, tightness, power or a strong structure.it's just heard before by this band in a slightly different form and a lot of the times in a more spellbinding version.

The real awesome gems are sporadically scattered across the 13 songs, but when it comes to the execution we are dealing with competent performances all the way through, plenty of uplifting details (some well hidden) and technicality to enjoy.watch out for a massive and impressive bass attack.
The clear production allows every instrument to fill its space out and the "in your face" sound from their latest album is somewhat kept intact.

This album is more in the traditional and less experimenting Helloween vein than The Dark Ride and Rabbit Don't Come Easy albums. This is not necessarily a bad thing and it's not like this one is devoid of progression, the two previous albums just had a special vibe that gave them a more inspirational shine.

Conclusion: Perhaps Keeper III isn't the sensation we hoped for, but it contains very few wrong steps and several thrilling and memorable moments.

Written by Tommy
Friday, April 21, 2006
Show all reviews by Tommy

Ratings

Tommy: 7/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.


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RevelationZ Comments


Comment by VonSeux (Anonymous) - Sunday, April 23, 2006
Occasion Avenue is the worse song i ever heard >o


Comment by Ned (Anonymous) - Friday, April 28, 2006
this is an awesome album!!


Comment by ZzZ (Anonymous) - Saturday, April 29, 2006
Not their best album but it is still great 8/10


Comment by Master Of Puppets (Anonymous) - Tuesday, August 29, 2006
01 King For A 1000 Years (10/10)
02 The Invisible Man (10/10)
03 Born On Judgement Day (10/10)
04 Pleasure Drone (10/10)
05 Mrs.God (5/10)
06 Silent Rain (10/10)
07 Occasion Avenue (7/10)
08 Light The Universe (8/10)
09 Do You Know What You're Fighting For (10/10)
10 Come Alive (10/10)
11 Shade In The Shadow (10/10)
12 Get It Up (6.5/10)
13 My Life For One More Day (10/10)











Review by Tommy

Released by
Steamhammer - 2005

Tracklisting
CD 1:
1. The King For A 1000 Years
2. The Invisible Man
3. Born On Judgment Day
4. Pleasure Drone
5. Mrs. God
6. Silent Rain

CD 2:
1. Occasion Avenue
2. Light The Universe
3. Do You Know What You're Fighting For
4. Come Alive
5. The Shade In The Shadow
6. Get It Up
7. My Life For One More Day


Supplied by Target


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)

Keeper Of The Seven Keys - Part II - (Tommy)

Mrs. God (Single) - (Steen)

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)



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

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