Helloween: Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part 1 -Expanded Edition (remaster)

Here it is, the birth of power metal, on Helloween's second full length album, Keeper of the Seven Keys-Part 1, one of the most beloved metal albums of all time. Refining their previous thrash/speed metal attack that was evident on Walls of Jericho, Helloween unveiled a glossy yet powerful melodic sheen to their sound here, thanks to top notch production values courtesy of Tommy Newton & Tommy Hansen, as well as the arrival of 18 year old vocalist Michael Kiske. It was perhaps the addition of Kiske that best helped take this band to the next level, as it was his soaring, Geoff Tate inspired high-pitched vocals that really added an element of class and accessibility to Helloween's sound. The first part of what became a trilogy, Keeper of the Seven Keys-Part 1 is full of metal anthems, catchy rockers, and progressive tinged epic power metal rave-ups. The combination of soaring vocal harmonies, twin guitar work, pounding double bass drums, and lyrics dealing with fantasty and science fiction provided the framework for what would become the European power metal genre.

The album contains many classic tracks, from the raging "I'm Alive", the speedy "Twilight of the Gods", the catchy rockers "Future World" and "A Little Time", the ballad "A Tale That Wasn't Right", to the epic, 13 minute classic title track, which did more for battling dual guitar solos than perhaps any other metal song up to that point. Included in this nifty little remaster from Sanctuary Records are a few bonus tracks, like alternate versions of the songs "Victim of Fate" and "Starlight", both songs from the Walls of Jericho era, but this time with Kiske on vocals. The edited version of "Halloween" is included as well, but most who have followed the band already know of this butchered version which was edited for their video for the song. The booklet contains some nice photos and magazine review clippings, along with an interview with Michael Weikath. Lyrics are included, but unfortunately, as they made the attempt to fully replicate the LP layout, the text is so small it's impossible to read. Otherwise this is a great reissue of an extremely important album in heavy metal history.

Track Listing
1. Initiation
2. I'm Alive
3. A Little Time
4. Twilight Of The Gods
5. A Tale That Wasn't Right
6. Future World
7. Halloween
8. Follow The Sign
9. Victim Of Fate (Single B-Side)
10. Starlight (Remix)
11. A Little Time (Alternative Version)
12. Halloween (Video Edit)

Added: November 19th 2006
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Helloween Website
Hits: 4246
Language: english

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