Helloween are a German, melodic speed metal band, that started out in Hamburg in 1983. This band define the German metal sound, often also called Euro-metal or power metal. Their origin can be traced back to 1977, when guitarists and buddies, Kai Hansen and Piet Sielck, formed the band Gentry. After winning a local music contest in 1978, they decided to take their musical career to the next level, and started to look for serious musicians. Soon Ingo Schwichtenberg (drums) and Markus Grosskopf (bass) joined their ranks, and in 1980 they changed their name to Second Hell. Then Piet left to pursue a dream to become a producer, and the band once again changed the name, this time to Iron Fist. In 1982 Kai left to join the military, and returned to a band left inactive. He was then recruited to a band named Powerfool, which main force was one guitar player named Michael Weikath. But it wasn't long after that they put this band to rest, brought back Markus, now playing in a band called Blasphemous, and reunited Iron Fist. In 1983 they adopted the name Helloween, as suggested by Ingo. The name was inspired by the movie "Halloween", but with a twist with the words hell and/or hello. The year after they were featured on a compilation, put together by Noise Records boss Karl Walterbach, entitled 'Death Metal'. A year later saw the release of heir first mini-LP, simply entitled 'Helloween', soon followed by their first full-length album, "Walls Of Jericho".

Warning: Everybody who will be spelling the song 'Halloween' from 'Helloween' with an 'E' and the group with an 'A' will immediately be turned into a big ugly half-price-selling pumpkin!

THE EARLY ERA (1983-1987)

(Left pic, left to right: Ingo Schwichtenberg, Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf, Kai Hansen)

(Right pic, left to right: Kai Hansen, Ingo Schwichtenberg, Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath)
 

WALLS OF JERICHO/HELLOWEEN (1985, 1988) NOISE

'Walls Of Jericho' was the first full-length album from Helloween. It was preceded by their self-titled debut EP, only by a few months. Both LP's showcase a fresh take on heavy metal, largely made popular again by the British bands in the NWOBHM scene. Mixed together with the faster approach of the then growing thrash metal scene from the US, Helloween (and other German bands) gave birth to the speed metal genre. 'Walls Of Jericho' have stood the test of time as the genre's defining album.

Here they mix ferocious speed, without actual melodies. Helloween took the twin guitar attack from the NWOBHM bands, and added the fast riffing from the thrash scene. Speed metal is also largely known for the high pitched/screeching vocals, as opposed to the more aggressive nature of the thrash metal vocalists. And Kai had this style pegged down. I am sure some metal fans found him to be an acquired taste, but those that dug it, loved him! I must admit that I never jumped the bandwagon on this band right away, much due to Kai's voice. Still, over time I've really learned to love everything about this album. There is simply no denying the impact it had back then, and the importance of it in the history of metal.

My version is the first CD release, that incl. the first mini-LP ('Helloween'), the first full-length album ('Walls Of Jericho') + extra track 'Judas' (from the EP with the same title). All the songs were originally recorded the same year, and they don't vary much musically. If anything I always found the tracks from 'Walls Of Jericho' to be even heavier than the tracks off of the EP.

Killer tracks: Starlight, Victim Of Fate, Ride The Sky, Phantoms Of Death, How Many Tears, Judas

After the first album, and 2 mini-LP's, Helloween decides to recruit a new vocalist. Rumors has it that Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, ex-Gamma Ray, ex-Tyran Pace) was asked, but declined. Instead they got the young Michael Kiske, from Ill Prophecy, to join them.

THE CLASSIC ERA (1987-1989)

(Left pic, left to right: Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen,  Ingo Schwichtenberg, Michael Kiske)

(Right pic, left to right: Ingo Schwichtenberg, Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen, Markus Grosskopf and Michael Kiske (front))

KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS PART I (EXPANDED EDITION) (1987, 2006) CASTLE/SANCTUARY

Few bands can boast being the genesis of a genre. And even fewer bands have 2 genre-starts on their merit list. Helloween is the exception! 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I' is one of those heavy metal milestones. It spawned a whole genre on it's own. Today people label it Euro-metal, or power metal. Back in the day we called it melodic power metal, or melodic speed metal.  'Walls Of Jericho' put the band on the map, but it was when this album was released that Helloween really got recognized as something else. They sat the standards for melodic speed metal, the German way! Kai Hansen gave over the vocals duties to ex-Ill Prophecy singer, the young Michael Kiske, and a much more sophisticated approach was adopted. The speed is still here for the most part. But it is way more controlled, and is supplemented with melody and time changes, without ever crossing the progressive threshold. Michael has a smoother, and way more versatile voice, as opposed to Kai's more abrasive shrieks. He brings melody to the bands speedy music. The band also wrote their first epic tune, "Halloween", a fan favorite ever since. An edited version of the video release of the song even got some airplay on MTV. 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I' has everything a metal album should have, and then some. It is an all time favorite of mine.

I replaced my original RCA version of the CD with the 2006 Expanded Edition of the album. It comes with 4 bonus tracks, all previous only released as single b-sides. Most noticeable are the versions of "Victim Of Fate" & "Starlight" where Michael is handling the vocals. The booklet features all the lyrics, as well as loads of photos and liner notes by Dave Ling. All of the songs have also been remastered, of course.

Killer tracks: A Little Time, A Tale That Wasn't Right, Future World,  Halloween

KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS PART II (1988) NOISE 

Part two in Helloween's magnum opus. Again an astonishing album, that sets the standard for this genre. Melodic and speedy songs go hand in hand, and even mix in some ballads. The humor is also very much present. Michael Kiske sings like no one before or after him, in Helloween. 'Keeper...' is another long epic tune clocking in at nearly 14 minutes. A masterpiece, and A MUST!!

Killer tracks: Unfair to pick, they are all classics!

PUMPKIN TRACKS (1989) NOISE (Limited Scandinavian Edition)

Savage Save Us Victim Of Fate Livin' Ain't No Crime Don't Run For Cover Judas Future World Murderer Starlight Phantoms Of Death A Tale That Wasn't Right I Want Out March Of Time I'm Alive

This compilation disc contains now new material. It is still a rather rare gem, as it was only released in Scandinavia, and has become a collector's item. I suspect a Japanese version, missing 2 of the tracks, was issued later on. At the time of its release though, it was kind of cool to have all the old vinyl-EP- and singles-only stuff on CD for the first time. But all of those tracks have later been added to re-released album etc. 'Pumkin' Tracks' is still a fine retrospect of the bands early career. And it is great to hear Kiske sing some of the older songs that Kai originally recorded.

LIVE IN THE U.K. (1989) EMI

A Little Time Dr. Stein Future World Rise And Fall We Got The Right I Want Out How Many Tears

Line-up: Michael Kiske: Vocals Kai Hansen: Guitar Michael Weikath: Guitar Markus Grosskopf: Bass Ingo Schwichtenberg: Drums

Live offering, recorded in Scotland, of all places. It's a good record, but not truly a classic. It's cool to hear Kiske sing Hansen's songs though. And I like it when you can hear the crowd, it is after all live. Helloween was getting big enough for EMI to show interest.

Got my CD signed by Kai Hansen, when I met him after a Gamma Ray-gig in Oslo.

Kai Hansen left after these recordings. Soon he started his own band, Gamma Ray, while Roland Grapow replaced him in Helloween.

THE EMI ERA (1989-1993)

(Left pic, left to right: Roland Grapow, Ingo Schwichtenberg, Michael Kiske, Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath)

(Right pic, left to right: Ingo Schwichtenberg, Michael Weikath, Michael Kiske, Markus Grosskopf, Roland Grapow)

THE BEST, THE RARE, THE REST (1991) NOISE

I Want Out Dr. Stein Future World Judas Walls Of Jericho - instrumental Ride The Sky Halloween Livin' Ain't No Crime Save Us Victim Of Fate Savage Don't Run For Cover Keeper Of The Seven Keys

Compilation album, with the best from the 3 first albums. There are also 3 rare b-sides on it, and that makes it worth buying. Helloween has an amazing back catalogue already.

PINK BUBBLES GO APE (1991) EMI

This album got very bad reviews, but I liked it from first listen. It's not as good as the 'Keeper...'- albums though, but it contains some of Kiske's best work, and some of my favorite Helloween tracks. The worst thing about it, is the cover art. No pumpkins!!

Killer tracks: Kids Of The Century, Number One, Mankind, The Chance, Your Turn

CHAMELEON (1993) EMI

Another album that didn't go well with the fans. And this time I agree. Though I really liked it when I first heard it. It actually took me over five years after it's release to get a copy of it. Helloween are trying to commercialize here. The pumpkins are back though, but only inside the booklet.

Killer tracks: When The Sinner, Revolution Now, I Believe, Giants

Helloween 'cleaned up' in their ranks after this one. During the tour for 'Chameleon, drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg collapsed because of his drug use. He was out of the band, and shortly replaced by session-drummer Richie Abdel-Nabi. Ingo tragically committed suicide a while later.

CHAMELEON TOUR LINE-UP (1993)

(left to right: Michael Kiske, Roland Grapow, Markus Grosskopf, Richie Abdel-Nabi, Michael Weikath)

Richie was not a good match for Helloween, so after the tour, he was let go. But more notably, so was Michael Kiske. He went on to form a not so successful solo-career. Some of his releases are more pop than metal. He has even said that he won't ever be doing another metal album, as it is against his beliefs?! Too bad, cause Kiske is one of metal's defining voices! He has also been a guest on numerous rock and metal projects since his departure. Finally Weikath managed to persuade Andi Deris, already known from Pink Cream 69, to become the new singer for Helloween. Uli Kursch (Masterplan, Shock Machine, ex-Gamma Ray, ex-Axe La Chapelle, ex-Holy Moses, ex-Mekong Delta) became their new drummer.

THE PRE-MILLENNIUM ERA (1994-2001)

(Left pic, left to right: Uli Kursch, Andi Deris, Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath, Roland Grapow)

(Right pic, left to right: Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath, Andi Deris, Uli Kusch, Roland Grapow)

MASTER OF THE RINGS (1994) RAW POWER

Enter new vocalist Andi Deris, formerly of Pink Cream 69. Helloween returns to what they do best, although with a bit more melodic sound. Deris is a good vocalist, but he isn't Kiske, by a long-shot! So while this album is a good one, I tend to get tired of it pretty fast.

Killer tracks: Perfect Gentleman, Where The Rain Grows, Still We Go

THE TIME OF THE OATH (1996) RAW POWER

'The Time Of The Oath' is my favorite Helloween album with Andi Deris on vocals. It contains several great songs, that doesn't get tiresome after some spins. It's not as great as most of the albums with Kiske, but I like it far better than 'Chameleon' and 'Walls of Jericho'. Seems to be a bit darker, and includes more faster songs, than ever before.

Killer tracks: We Burn, Steel Tormentor, Power, The Time Of The Oath

HIGH LIVE (1996) RAW POWER (2-CD)

CD1: We Burn Wake Up The Mountain Sole Survivor The Chance Why Eagle Fly Free The Time Of The Oath Future World Dr. Stein	Line-up: Andi Deris: Vocals Michael Weikath: Guitar Roland Grapow: Guitar Markus Grosskopf: Bass Uli Kursch: Drums
CD2: Before The War Mr. Ego (Take Me Down) Power Where The Rain Grows In The Middle Of A Heartbeat Perfect Gentleman Steel Tormentor

A live album that doesn't cut the mustard at all. With most of the songs spawning from the last two albums, there are so many classics missing. But that is maybe just as well, 'cause Deris doesn't do them right live anyway. And why on earth release a double album if you're not going to include most of your back catalogue? No, listen to 'Live In The UK' instead.

BETTER THAN RAW (1998) RAW POWER

Like the other post-Kiske Helloween albums, this one too sat very well in my ears at first. But after quite a few spins, my interest seems to fade. Some of the tracks are killer, others are very forgettable!

Killer tracks: Revelation, LAVDATE DOMINVM

Fun fact: Michel Weikath on the meaning behind the title, Better Than Raw?
Andi and I were hanging out at our favorite bar, the Backstage in Hamburg, and we realized that everyone in the band hates the taste of pumpkins (we are often given gifts of pumpkin food). At that bar, we usually come up with stupid ideas for album concepts and covers...the story behind BTR is the Smurf series. The witch on the cover stands for Gargamel, and the pumpkin men for the Smurfs. The witch is cooking pumpkin soup, and so Andi said that at least it’s better than [eating pumpkin] raw. So I said why don't we call the album that [Better Than Raw], and he agreed. It is the most stupid album title there is with regards to its meaning. So we all agreed to keep it.

METAL JUKEBOX (1999) RAW POWER

After Metallica's success with 'Garage Inc.', many bands jumped on the same wagon. Helloween were no exception. Their covers album bears the fitting title, 'Metal Jukebox'. And finally the pumpkin was once again the most prominent feature on the cover art!

I usually like albums like this. It's always cool to hear what influences some of my favorite bands. And when they do cool versions of songs from some of my other favorite bands, than all the better. Helloween, however, chose a lot of bands I have little, or no, interest in at al. I can understand how '70's acts like Jethro Tull, David Bowie and Frank Marino were important parts of the boys upbringing. But personally I have no history with most of these bands, and barely even know the original songs. Thus I find 'Metal Jukebox' to be a little trite. I just doesn't capture me. Sure, the speedy version of The Beatles "All My Loving" is fun to listen to.... once or twice. And Helloween do good versions of ABBA's "Lay All Your Love On Me", David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and Cream's "White Room". I even liked the goofy "Hocus Pocus", originally recorded by Focus. Still, the brother part of this CD leaves me indifferent, and it is not an album I keep wanting to listen to over and over again. It remains a collector's item.

Killer tracks: Lay All Your Love On Me, White Room, He's A Woman - She's A Man

THE DARK RIDE (2000) NUCLEAR BLAST

It was a brand new millennium, and Helloween broke it in by releasing a new album. They moved from Raw Power, a sub-label within a sub-label (Castle Communications), owned by Warner Music, and signed with Nuclear Blast, the biggest metal-only label in the world. Produced and engineered by Roy Z (Halford, Bruce Dickinson, Rob Rock) and Charlie Bauerfiend, this marked the beginning of a long time collaboration with the latter, and albums recorded in his studio on Tenerife. I've later on learned that 'The Dark Ride' was Helloween trying to cater to the label pushing them to try and conform to the American market, with downtuned guitars, and a heavier approach. So it is rather strange that the album didn't even get distribution in the US at first.

'The Dark Ride' is, as the title and album cover might suggest, a darker album than what we were used to from Helloween at the time. It's not true for all of the compositions, and this is still 100% Helloween. Besides, the band has continued to grow towards this sound ever since 'The Time Of The Oath'. The first single, "If I Could Fly" is perhaps one of the most pop-oriented songs written by this band, while the title track holds some of their most progressive moments. So 'The Dark Ride' is a varied album. It is also a very strong album with plenty of memorable songs. 2 singles were released from this album. "If I Could Fly" is already mentioned, and it was regularly shown on MTV's 'Headbanger's Ball'. The second single was "Mr. Torture", a fast and sinister sounding metal number, that is also the opening track on the CD. Personally I like "re-discovering" the lesser known tracks, such as "Salvation", "I Live For Your Pain" and the experimental "The Departed (Sun Is Going Down), every time I put this CD on. Gems like these gives the album staying power, and it also makes me pull the CD out again on occasions. Over time it has become a favorite in the Helloween catalogue.

Killer tracks: Mr. Torture, All Over Nations, Escalation 666, Mirror Mirror, The Departed (Sun Is Going Down), I Live For Your Pain, The Dark Ride

TREASURE CHEST (2002) METAL-IS (3-CD Box Set)

CD1: Mr. Torture I Can Power Where The Rain Grows Eagle Fly Free Future World Metal Invaders Murderer (remixed) Starlight (Michael Kiske version remixed) How Many Tears Walls Of Jericho/Ride The Sky (remixed) Halloween A Little Time A Tale That Wasn't Right I Want Out
CD2: Keeper Of The Seven Keys (remixed) Dr. Stein (remixed) The Chance Windmill Sole Survivor Perfect Gentleman In The Middle Of A Heartbeat Kings Will Be Kings Time Of The Oath Forever & One Midnight Sun Mr. Ego Immortal Mirror, Mirror
CD3: BURIED TREASURE Shit And Lobster Oriental Journey - instrumental I Don't Care You Don't Care Ain't Got Nothin' Better Moshi Moshi Shiki No Uta Can't Fight Your Desire Star Invasion Silicon Dreams Grapowski's Malmsuite 1001 (In D-Doll) - instrumental Electric Eye A Game We Shouldn't Play

Another best-of compilation, so the die-hard collector have all the songs on the first 2 CD's. CD 3 on the other hand contains rare B-sides etc. Most of the songs have appeared on singles, but they are so hard to get, that this compilation is a good thing. Well, most of the tracks aren't of the regular Helloween quality, but if you're a collector, stuff like this is always welcome. On the first 2 discs there is mostly post-millennium-era material, and that puzzled me at first. But if you take a look at Helloween's back-catalogue, you'll find that this line-up has released the most albums. So it kind of figures anyway. This album has also been released as a regular best-of 2-CD, but I encourage you to find this box set instead. "Electric Eye" is of course a Judas Priest cover. There are still plenty of obscure B-side songs that doesn't appear here, so maybe we'll get another package like this at one time or another.

After having a steady line-up for nearly a decade, things happened towards the end of 2002. Roland Grapow and Uli Kursch were suddenly fired, the official reasons were of course 'musical indifferences'. Speculations were going around that they were booted because they showed more interest in their solo-careers than in what Helloween were doing. Both went on to form Masterplan. As replacements Helloween brought in guitarist Sascha Gerstner, a relatively unknown player, with a past in Freedom Call. They also brought in Mark Cross (ex-Metalium, Winter's Bane) on drums, but due to a sudden illness in his hands, he only got to play on 2 tracks on their next album. Mikkey Dee, mostly known from Motörhead and King Diamond, did the session drumming for the remaining tracks. So they brought in Stefan Schwarzmann (Paradox, ex-Running Wild, U.D.O., ex-Accept, ex-X-Wild, ex-Voice) to fill his spot on the tour.

TEMPORARY LINE-UP (2002-2005)

(Left pic, left to right: Sascha Gerstner, Markus Grosskopf, Andi Deris, Michael Weikath, Stefan Schwarzmann)

(Right pic, left to right: Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf, Stefan Schwarzmann, Sascha Gerstner, Andi Deris)

RABBIT DON'T COME EASY (2003) NUCLEAR BLAST (Digipak version)

A return to the Helloween of old, was the rumor spread prior to this release. I'm not so sure that was true. I find nothing that reminds me of the 'Keeper...'-albums on 'Rabbit Don't Come Easy' (why on earth no one told the band that the title is spelled wrong is also a mystery to me). So I have to confess that I was a little disappointed with it at first. And that was a shame. Because the CD is, in it's own right, really quite good. Just not as good compared to my favorites by this band. No single song stands out. And if I put the CD away for a week, I would have a hard time humming along to any of the songs, without putting it in my stereo. On the upside though, this disc is very well produced. The band sounds tight, and they have once again found their humor (for better or for worse). All in all I like this album. It brings in many fine elements, combining fast guitars and melodic melody lines. You get humor, ballads and even a reggae inspired bridge in "Nothing To Say"!! I still say Andi Deris was better in Pink Cream 69. My special digipak version comes with a bonus track, and a pop-up rabbit! Helloween had some Spinal Tap issues during the recording of this album. That resulted in that the initial drummer, Mark Cross (Metalium), only plays on 2 tracks. Mikkey Dee (King Diamond, Motörhead) stepped in to finish the other tracks, and did a blistering job! Now the band have recruited Stefan Schwarzmann (U.D.O., Running Wild), but he doesn't play a note on the album. New guitarist, Sascha Gerstner, was stolen from Freedom Call. 

Killer tracks: Open Your Life, Liar, Sun 4 The World, Nothing To Say

Once again things have changed with Helloween. Again it's the drummer that has been replaced. Out went Stefan, and in came Dani Löble (ex-Blaze, ex-Rawhead Rexx).

CURRENT LINE-UP (2005-)

(Left pic, left to right: Dani Löble, Markus Grosskopf, Andi Deris, Sascha Gerstner, Michael Weikath)

(Right pic, left to right: Michael Weikath, Andi Deris, Markus Grosskopf, Dani Loeble and Sascha Gerstner (front))

KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS - THE LEGACY (2005) SPV/STEAMHAMMER (2CD)

Some CD's are so hard to do a write-up about, so I end up owning them for months, listening to them over and over, before I even try. This album was such an ordeal for me. Not only have Helloween been one of my favorite bands for ages (although loosing some territory in latter years), but this time around they are also releasing what is supposed to be some sort of follow up to the classic 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' albums. To be quit honest, this is done with the sole purpose to sell more albums, and to ride on the trail of those classics. So how is the result then? Well, besides the dreadful looking cover art, I have mixed emotions. I've read numerous favorable reviews, stating that this is their finest moment since the 'Keeper..'-era, but I can't say that I agree. Sure, they have released yet another double album (that had easily fitted on 1 CD!). And they have delivered 2 more epic-length tracks ("The King For A 1000 Years" & "Occasion Avenue"), and some attempts at humor ("Mrs. God"). But other then that, this has nothing to do with the already aforementioned records. They just don't have those killer memorable songs, with hooks you sing along to instantly, and for days after listening to them. I don't get that spine-chilling feeling from any of the tracks presented. And I am sure this will not go down as yet another classic album, in my book. What I do detect though is that Helloween have delivered a strong album instrumentally. The band haven't sounded better musically in years. The CD's are sprinkled with little parts here and there that puts a smile on my face, be it a guitar-solo, a riff or whatever. So in conclusion, I think this fan might never become a full blown Helloween addict without Michael Kiske being in the band. But I will continue to buy their albums, regardless. Candice Night (Blackmore's Night) makes a duet appearance in "Light The Universe".

Killer tracks: The King For A 1000 Years, The Invisible Man, Pleasure Drone, My Life For One More Day

KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS - THE LEGACY WORLD TOUR 2005/2006 (2007) SPV/STEAMHAMMER (2CD)

I went and saw Helloween on the tour this double live album was recorded at. So this was sort of a nice flashback. What blew me away at the concert was how good Andi was singing the "oldies", and the fact that they actually dared to play both "Keeper of the Seven Keys" and "Halloween". This must have been a life long dream for many a fan, and it was a night to be remembered. One sort of overlooked the fact that the band also chose to play for track from their latest album, and that 2 of those where both clocking in at over 10 minutes. Here it is a little more obvious though. While the old songs still sound great, the new ones don't seem to have the same staying power. At least not the longer tracks. This will never become a classic live album, but it is certainly much better than the poor 'High Live' offering. 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy World Tour 2005/2006' was recorded live in Sao Paulo, which is also used as a title for the double CD. But the last 2 tracks was recorded at other venues, thus getting the bonus tag.

GAMBLING WITH THE DEVIL (2007) SPV/STEAMHAMMER (Limited Edition Digipak w/bonus disc)

What a pleasant surprise this album turned out to be!! I guess having no hopes at all helps! 'Gambling With The Devil' came out faster than I'd expected, with a title, and cover art I had not many kind word to spare for. But then I heard a clip of the opening tack, "Kill It", and suddenly my interest was once again piqued. The mentioned song is easily the heaviest song the band have ever recorded, and it reminds me a lot of "Push", from 'Better Than Raw'. The band follows up with a melodic, but speedy number, in "The Saints". It sounds classic Deris-era Helloween. "As Long As I Fall" has been chosen as the first single from this album. And albeit a tad more commercial (as in deliberate radio/single material), this is another stellar, melodic cut. "Paint A New World" is another choice cut, actually managing to sound like vintage Helloween, fast and furious, but with lots of hooks and melody. And so I can go on with every song on the CD. Fact is, this is maybe the best album with Deris behind the mic, and that is saying a lot. Even the 2 bonus songs on the extra CD that came in this Limited Edition are great, and "See The Night" might be one of my top 10 favorite song ever by these Germans! I've read people complaining about this song, and that song, but I find them all quite satisfactory. Helloween have once again found the band feeling, and they sound more creative than in decades. Gerstner and Loeble have proved to be the right guys for Helloween, and in only 2 short years they managed to make the band tight and dependable. Kudos to Helloween for once again blowing me away, and creating one of the nicest surprises of 2007! The limited edition was supposed to give the die hard fans a chance to enter a special competition. Included in the digipak is a scratch-off card, with a printed riddle. If you unveiled the secret number, and cracked the riddle, you could enter the competition. But due to some laws, I think in the UK, governing contests, they could not limit the contest only to people who bought the limited edition. Thus everyone was invited, on the bands website, to enter the competition. Sadly I was not able to guess the correct answer.

Killer tracks: Every single song is good.

UNARMED - BEST OF 25TH ANNIVERSARY (Limited Edition CD/DVD) (2010) SONY MUSIC

CD Dr. Stein Future World If I Could Fly Where The Rain Grows The Keeper's Trilogy (Medley) Eagle Fly Free Perfect Gentleman Forever & One I Want Out Fallen To Pieces A Tale That Wasn't Right
DVD Making Of "Unarmed" Making Of "Dr. Stein" Videoclip Videoclip "Dr. Stein" Unarmed - 25th Anniversary - The Interview

German power metal pioneers, Helloween, celebrates their 25th anniversary by releasing a compilation album. Now, such a release is by no means anything out of the ordinary, as it is quite common to treat the fans with some sort of "gift" for sticking by the band for a quarter of a hundred years. Helloween are not your average 25 year old though, so they chose to mark the occasion a little differently. The result is heard on 'Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary".

Some bands release ordinary best-of releases, choosing the songs themselves, or let the fans vote on their favorites. Usually they tack on a new song or 2, just to please the fans that already own the bands back catalogue. 'Unarmed' sees Helloween totally re-recording and rearranging 13 of their best known tracks. But instead of doing the ever so popular unplugged variety, or the metal-band-meets-symphonic-orchestra route, they have created.... well, lounge music???!!! Yup, we all knew these German lads had a humorous side, but I sure as heck didn't see this coming! Can you imagine "Dr. Stein" played by a brass band? Or hearing "The Keeper's Trilogy" (a medley consisting of parts from "Halloween", "Keeper Of The Seven Keys" and "King For A 1000 Years") arranged as a Broadway musical piece? That is just what you get on 'Unarmed'! Now, it's easy to foresee a shit-storm of epic proportions regarding this stunt. But do you know what? I kinda like the result! Granted not all of these makeovers works as well as others, this is still an interesting listen from start to finish. You just have to have an open mind, and not take yourself, or the album, too seriously. It is meant to be a fun listen, and that is just what it is! This is not supposed to appeal to a new crowd, or an attempt to win over a different fan-base, so screaming sell-out is just ridiculous. It's supposed to celebrate the songs we all love by dong something different with them. A good song is a good song regardless!

Personally I'm having so much fun listening to the unusual arrangements, the choirs, the pianos, the flutes and all the other weird stuff they have come up with when recording 'Unarmed'. There is no way that anyone can escape the fact that Helloween did go the lengths in delivering something special for the fans, and created something massive, even if you like the result or not. You just have to take it for what it is, a celebration! So happy 25th Anniversary, Helloween! May you live to celebrate 25 more!

I own the Limited Edition of 'Unarmed'. It comes in the digipack format, with a DVD as an extra. I've not yet watched the DVD, because I usually don't find them all that entertaining. But for those interested, it features interviews, making-of documentaries and a brand new video clip for "Dr. Stein".

7 SINNERS (2010) SONY MUSIC

Helloween tramples on with a steady line-up, but a new record company. These Germans are once again a major label band, signed to Sony Music. '7 Sinners' is the bands 13th studio effort, not counting the covers album.

It's cool to follow a band for close to 30 years, and still you find their latest effort to be their heaviest yet. At least that was my initial thoughts after hearing the first two tracks on this CD. But then I started thinking back, remembering songs like "Kill It" from the last album, and "Push" from 'Better Than Raw'. So a new verdict was made, and that was that Helloween does what Helloween has always done, namely making great heavy metal! '7 Sinners' benefits from the fact that the current line-up is now 5 years "old", and 3 albums and a double live effort into their career together. It's a tight band we hear, with members that are comfortable with each other. They are even comfortable enough to experiment a little, albeit in small enough doses, not to scare off any long time fans. Still, they have found room for something as unorthodox as a flute solo, instead of the standard guitar one, in "Raise The Noise". They are also nodding back to their own song, "Perfect Gentleman" (From "Master Of The Rings") in "Who Is Mr. Madman?".

'7 Sinners' is a ballsy effort, heavy enough to sink a battle ship. In many of the songs I also dare say that Helloween are doing the speed metal thing all over again! That is not to say that they have abandoned the melodies, because they have not! It's just good to hear that the band that practically invented a genre can be heard doing their own thing again. The riffs, the drumming, the wall-of-sound production, it all makes for a splendid listen. Sascha Gerstner was a find, and here he once again show us why he is the perfect axeman for Helloween in 2010, and beyond. My only complaint for '7 Sinners' is that it is too long. The album just looses momentum towards the end. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, it is much better to have 10 killers on the album, rather than a crammed CD with 3 or 4 fillers on it. Add to that 2 bonus track available in different parts of the world, and you have 15 songs released for this album.

Still, '7 Sinners' is just what I wanted to hear from Helloween in 2010, and it makes me proud to carry their flag high into the future!

Killer tracks: Where The Sinners Go, Are You Metal?, Who Is Mr. Madman?, Raise The Noise, World Of Fantasy, You Stupid Mankind

Helloween also appear on:  

Kai Hansen guest appearances:

HammerFall - 'I Want Out' (single)

HammerFall - 'Renegade' (single)

HammerFall - 'Masterpieces'

Blind Guardian - 'Follow the Blind'
Blind Guardian - 'Tales From The Twilight World'

Blind Guardian - 'Somewhere Far Beyond'

Michael Kiske - 'Instant Clarity'

Primal Fear - 'Primal Fear'

Angra - 'Angels Cry'

Angra - 'Temple Of Shadows'

Michael Kiske guest appearances:

Gamma Ray - 'Land Of The Free'

Gamma Ray - 'Rebellion In Dreamland'

Gamma Ray - 'Somewhere Out In Space'

Gamma Ray - 'To The Metal

Masterplan - 'Masterplan'

Edguy - 'Superheroes'

Tribuzy - 'Execution'

Revolution Renaissance - 'New Era'

Avantasia - 'Avantasia' (EP)

Avantasia - 'The Metal Opera Pt. 1'

Avantasia - 'The Metal Opera Pt. 2'

Avantasia - 'Lost In Space Part 2' (EP)

Avantasia - 'The Scarecrow'

Avantasia - 'The Wicked Symphony'

Avantasia - 'Angel of Babylon'

Roland Grapow guest appearances:

Kotipelto - 'Waiting For The Dawn'

Axel Rudi Pell - 'The Wizards Chosen Few'

Tribuzy - 'Execution'

Andi Deris guest appearances:

Rage - 'Soundchaser'

Helloween members also play/have played with:

Andi Deris, Roland Grapow, Gamma Ray, Michael Kiske, Masterplan, Freedom Call, Running Wild, X-Wild, U.D.O., Sinner, Accept, Blaze, Paradox, Metalium, Firewind, At Vance, Winters Bane