Helloween

[parimal2k29]

Helloween's a great band, formed a long time back in the early eighties by Kai Hansen, now in Gamma Ray (another band you MUST check out!) Their first albums - Walls of Jericho, The Keeper of the Seven Keys 1 and 2 rule... but I like Master of Rings as well. Haven't heard their new album, but let me tell you - early Helloween were the pioneers of melodic metal! You dont want to miss this and Gamma Ray

 

[MRNot]

What are the best albums by this band and are they any good

I'm amazed I haven't seen mention of what I'd consider their strongest overall. I'm a fan from way back in 1985, with the self-titled EP (one of my very first, blind purchases of independent metal, and it put me on a wallet-draining road indeed. It's a great, if less mature, release), but for overall quality, I'd have to give the nod to TIME OF THE OATH. The title track and "Mission Motherland" are epic, and "We Burn" & "Steel Tormentor" are great faster songs (NOT speed metal per se). Beyond that, I'd also go with WALLS OF JERICHO (sue me, but I like Kai's singing on that one and in Gamma Ray), along with MASTER OF RINGS, KEEPER 1 (2 bored me to tears), and by all means "try before you buy" on CHAMELEON & PINK BUBBLES (what were they thinking?).

 

[delize]

I list these only because they are the ones I have and like.

Walls Of Jericho
Keeper of the Seven Keys I & 2
The Dark Ride
Rabbits Don't Come Easy

 

[MRNot]

What are the best albums by this band and are they any good

BTW, I neglected to offer:

DARK RIDE was produced by Roy Z, who has (imo) ruined the sound of such bands as Halford & Bruce Dickinson among others. I still don't unerstand why anyone cares for his production style, but IMO his drums (and even the bass) are too dry & dirty, and the end result is a muddy, indistinct mess. The songs on this disc are interesting, but who can be sure how good it is when the sound is crap?

 

[SanSebastian1190]

Keeper of the Seven Keys II was the first Helloween album I heard, fell in love with Kiske's voice during the first song (Eagle Fly Free). A couple of the songs are a bit blah (Dr Stein, We Got The Right), but I think the rest are pretty strong, especially Kai's songs (Save Us, March of Time, I Want Out). I think Keepers 1 goes about the same way; some blah moments (I never liked A Little Time) and some great moments (Twilight Of The Gods, A Tale That Wasn't Right). Each has a song over 10 minutes (Halloween on 1 and Keeper of the Seven Keys on 2), I think they're equally good although Halloween seems to get more recognition.

Who is everyone's favorite Helloween vocalist; Kai Hansen, Michael Kiske, or Andi Deris? Obviously Kiske is mine, and is one of my favorite singers of any band.