I bet that loads of Helloween fans, probably those who praise ex-vocalist Michael Kiske and loathe the current frontman Andi Deris, thought something like: "The third Keeper album from Helloween?! That's like raping the legacy, man!!!" It took years for me to get back to Helloween after I started to take distance to power metal somewhere around 1993. I was tempted to check out some power metal bands again towards the end of the last millennium, and got into Helloween again.

I got heavily into Deris-era Helloween albums, as well as the golden oldies. The album that preceded this one, 'Rabbit Don't Come Easy' (2003), lifted my expectations sky-high. Then I read, that the third 'Keeper' installment was to be a double album. It kind of made me doubtful, but also anxious. "A lot of new Helloween music coming," I thought. The day the album was released, I bought it. First I noticed rather well done artwork. Okay, it is computer graphics, but still pretty well done 3D art. But not a lot of pumpkin-people... Hmmm, another change in style(s)?!!

My guess was that the whole would be as broad as the first two parts, style-wise... And as with Helloween, always, I was looking for some real entertainment. And my guess was proven correct, in both terms. But, I didn't say that this is like the first two "episodes", no. It is pretty far from them. Also, this came out 20 years after the debut album 'Walls of Jericho'. Who would believe or except that the band would sound like they did in 1980s? I really would like to know if there was one person who thought it would go that way?

Anyway, I did insert the CD number one into my player and was beginning this 77+ minute journey. It contains six songs. The opener of this opus (I'm not going as far as calling this the band's magnum opus, though, even it is the longest platter from the band anyway you count it), 'The King for a 1000 Years', continues the story of corrupter of man, the Lord of evil. The longest song first, then... The band did one mistake here: The best comes first (although not the rabbit, ha ha!). The song is a fine continuation to earlier epics, with clear dramatic structure, classical music stylings and absolutely massive chorus; the song doesn't feel long at all! Helloween's best songs are very high in my "best music, ever" list, and this one belongs there.

'The Invisible Man' has a lead guitar melody, that reminds me of something I cannot recall. Its bass intro might sound like Queen as does its piano part, but but the song clearly is a step of evolution towards magnificent successor album, 'Gambling with the Devil' (1997); it's a catchy, shifting metal song with both punch and melodiousness. 'Born on the Judgement Day' offers some speed metal stuff plus a huge power metal chorus (a bit similar to 'Eagle Fly Free'), and the fans of older Helloween should be pleased and at home with it. 'Pleasure Drone' does carry some pop elements in its main melody and chorus (inventive melodies, laid-back guitar playing), but sounds very much Helloween otherwise. Pop pops back big time on goofy 'Mrs. God', which is the bands shortest song, and very much an oddity. Wounds are soon healed with fantastic speed/power metal piece 'Silent Rain'! Gladly we got next album (not meaning the second disc of this album) filled with this kind of material. Generally, the first disc still leaves an impression of incoherence.

The opener of the second platter, 'Occasion Avenue', only baffles more with its stupid intro, with the Lord of evil checking out what radio has to offer... 50 seconds and the band's back into action with this darker piece akin to 'The Dark Ride' album (2000). But this time around a long song (yeah, the longest songs at the beginning of each disc, I got it!) is partly firing blanks at times; it has too many parts disturbing the flow (a fucking James Bond bit, for example!). A Helloween album needs a ballad, right? Well... But 'Light the Universe' is just that. Candice Night of Blackmore's Night gives a warm and soft performance in her way, but I feel this still is the worst ballad from the band; predictable, and with lame electric piano sound as well as symphonic bits. Energy burst supplied by hard rock-ish 'Do You Know What You're Fighting for?' is badly needed thus far! Short-ish and rocking 'Come Alive' is only worth for its chorus, really, but then again, it's repeated a lot. 'The Shade in the Shadow' is another darker one, but sadly not on par with 'The Dark Ride' material. With 'Get It Up' the band gets into that energetic, happy power metal H-gear again. The best of the disc is left last, though: 'My Life for One more Day' really clicks with 'The King for a 1000 Years', which at least half of the songs doesn't manage to do, even though the whole is supposed to be carry a concept. It's another 'The Dark Ride' style song, but it is strong and can stand on its own.

This is almost as varied and disorderly as 1993s 'Chameleon' (or its predecessor 'Pink Bubbles Go Ape' from 1991); which I have a love/hate relationship with, even though I've always loved it more, but some days are harder... I haven't managed to build as strong a relation with this wide double album. Partly it has always been detached, like something you want to get acquainted with, but it keeps its distance even though its kind of inviting. I'm babbling like I'd babble about ladies now..! But yeah, that's just my luck: I am pleased to just watch fine-looking birds from distance, too. Enjoy the magic the universe manifests, right? Anyway, I think the album being on two discs makes it kind of incoherent. Many fine songs, no sign of any kind of red thread. Not even though I think I'm a pumpkinhead. It has magnificent, very much unique songs, too. But removing two more lame songs, and it would have fitted on one disc. I'd let .'Mrs. God' stay, but 'Come Alive' and 'The Shade in the Shadow' I find fruitless in the band's discography. The whole band did songwriting, and I think it is one of the reasons for variety.

Andi Deris is on fire here! His unique voice carries power and bite, while he can go soft and deeper. He reaches very high notes, but has grit at the same time, making him very much different to 99% of power metal singers. The album is filled with memorable vocal lines, that often happens when Mr. Deris is doing his stuff anyway. Backing vocals go from smooth to huge choirs. The lyrics basically tell about the battle between good and evil, and never with light topics, incest being the hardest. There's also lifting lyrics, like 'Come Alive'.

Guitar duo Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner have welded together nicely. Both do solos, and there's loads of 'em (also some truly classic ones)! From shredding to speed metal riffing, and to acoustic things. There's so much things to hear... Keyboards are mainly rather mediocre, or even worse. Earlier I mentioned lame electric piano. Some effects on the opener' are its total opposite, that work beautifully. Helloween aren't a band that utilize keyboard all the time, thankfully.

Markus Grosskopf is easily one of the most vivid bass players around in metal music, and has been since Helloween started. His style is like mixing Steve Harris' finger-playing with funk stylings and other non-metal style. He's not going with drums all the time, but goes soloing and often mingles with guitars. Pure gold. Drummer Dani Löble is a hard-hitting guy. He sounds fucking heavy! He also can be very busy with his hands and his feet, and he certainly delivers loads of double kick drumming here. The drum kit is too high in the Charlie Bauerfeind production, with quite dry tone to it.

My guess is that the next Helloween album, with both old and new guys, will be called 'Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Return of a Few'. You know how badly they name horror movie sagas like "Halloween", right..?!?! I really do hope they will get some gold out, because a few latter albums have been too similar to each other. In the meantime, this one is still enjoyable, and if you haven't checked it out earlier, check it out now. Come on, be open, be brave! You might find gold here, but you'll probably find some lesser things, too.

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
01/23/2020 12:18