'Rabbit Don't Come Easy' is Helloween's tenth full length studio album. The band have created an album, that sounds timeless. The production is the best yet for the band, but the music itself has its roots in the last 30 or so years of rock and metal. However, Helloween do not sound "old" in the negative meaning of the word.

Helloween are happier again, after 'The Dark Ride' (2000). Some of the most happy-sounding bits are a bit too much candy for my ears (thankfully there is no such abomination as 'The Game Is on' to be heard here). But in general, Helloween have created such a beast of an album, that even the most candy moments are good. I had hard time getting into happier sounding parts of the opener 'Just a Little Sign' and 'The Tune', but the latter actually has one of those monster riffs in it. Yes, that heavier stuff. Wow!!! Almost every song have something special in them, that x-factor which makes a listener go from start to the end without forwarding over any song. Darkest song, 'Back Against the Wall', is for some reason a song I do not like, even though it has a great chorus.

The music is varying from speed metal stuff to heavier metal and over to balladish bits and even reggae (fantastic and massive 'Nothing to Say'), but still this might be Helloween's tightest album to date during its one hour plus duration. The music is mature, but still the songs rock like hell. If you've heard the band's cover album 'Metal Jukebox' (1999), the timelessness of the material should not be such a surprise after all. The band's performance is professional in every sense and changes in the line-up haven't caused any problems with chemistry inside Helloween. Drums are played by Mikkey Dee (Motörhead, ex-King Diamond), except on two of the songs. I like Markus Grosskopf's "wandering" bass playing style, meaning that he doesn't stick to a single note or two. Sascha Gerstner is the new guitar player and sounds ace with Michael Weikath.

Andi Deris gets better with every record and I have got into his unique vocals already, even though it took pretty long to happen. He's able to handle high voices and lower parts without any trouble. His voice somewhat reminds me of ex-Iron Maiden man Paul Di'Anno. Raspy voice, but Andi has a much wider register. You have to be able to resist German humour. "Something's growing in my pants, as she looks into my eyes", these lyrics of the opener are just one of the many to be heard on the album. Covers are cool, even though the graphics are a bit "funny". Just wait for the surprise when opening the digipak version...

Helloween have created an enjoyable album. If you're into heavy/power metal, get this, you shouldn't be disappointed with this batch of songs. Great summer music, this one!

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
06/15/2003 19:10