30 YEARS AGO TODAY: HELLOWEEN'S KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS PT 2
Gemran power legends from Hamburg Helloween released the follow-up to their 1987 album "Keeper of the Seven Keys pt. I" a year later, on this day 1988. Originally intennted to be released as a double album, the band had to compromise with the record company who insisted on releasing them seperately. The second album with Michael Kiske on vocals, it stands its ground perfectly on its own despite the title hinting there is more missing from the whole picture.
Who can forget the iconic album cover? The green, devilish hands clutching at the robe and trying to steal away the key in the hand of the (virtuous human), while in the background, the gleaming sunlight is swallowed by black clouds as darkness and decay descends over the earth, a foreboding image of what is to befall shortly.
Musically speaking, the album is ladden with energy and excellent guitar work throughout. From the punkish undertones of "I Want Out", to the powerful energy of "We Got the Right" and the epic of "Keeper of the Seven Keys", there is no metal fan to be left dissatisfied with the end result. This is an album to be gobbled down whole, in long , savory listening sessions that will most likely end up with you playing air guitar AND lip synching shamelessly as the end song progresses.
The two songs taken from this album as singles were "Dr. Stein", an interesting and fun lyrical content song, released sometime in September, following the release of the actual album, and "I Want Out", released on Halloween of the same year, with its own little music video featuring psychedelic references and airborne pumpkins. Almost all of the b-sides of the two singles appeared, at one time or another, as bonus tracks on different releases of the album. "Keeper of the Seven Keys" and "Dr. Stein" also received remic makeovers to be used as bonus tracks on future re-releases.
The key song of the album, appropriately the last one, thus closing the concept, is the aptly named "Keeper of the Seven Keys". A 13+ minute long epic of a power ballad, it recounts the story and lore behind the seven keys of the title and the disastrous consequences the world will face if the chosen one does not destroy them and they are allowed to fall into the hands of the Devil, who will use them to bring his reign over the world. The song follows the chosen one on this path to saving the world and the many obstacles he faces, from evil fae, outsiders, and his own personal demons as the devil himself tries to manipulate him into giving up his fate-and the keys. Eventually he musters up his inner strength, discards of the keys in the abysmal waters, and thus, Satan is defeated, and his thunderous scream is heard behind the narration as he descends into the pits of Hell, before the song resumes with hooking guitar and Kiske's epic vocals to conclude the epic-and the albums themselves. Definitely an addictive song!
Another song that you should not miss in favour of other ones that have already hooked you is "We Got the Right". This power ballad is electrifying from start to finish and it will hook even the most demanding ones effortlessly. Kiske's trademark vocals and the complimentary chorus, in combination with the effortless guitars and drums, have no trouble enticing you to go back and listen to it again and again.
And here you can listen to the entire album, north American release ("Save Us" as track nr 7) and the bonus disc material. Thumbs up to whoever made that playlist so I didn't have to!
The two songs taken from this album as singles were "Dr. Stein", an interesting and fun lyrical content song, released sometime in September, following the release of the actual album, and "I Want Out", released on Halloween of the same year, with its own little music video featuring psychedelic references and airborne pumpkins. Almost all of the b-sides of the two singles appeared, at one time or another, as bonus tracks on different releases of the album. "Keeper of the Seven Keys" and "Dr. Stein" also received remic makeovers to be used as bonus tracks on future re-releases.
The key song of the album, appropriately the last one, thus closing the concept, is the aptly named "Keeper of the Seven Keys". A 13+ minute long epic of a power ballad, it recounts the story and lore behind the seven keys of the title and the disastrous consequences the world will face if the chosen one does not destroy them and they are allowed to fall into the hands of the Devil, who will use them to bring his reign over the world. The song follows the chosen one on this path to saving the world and the many obstacles he faces, from evil fae, outsiders, and his own personal demons as the devil himself tries to manipulate him into giving up his fate-and the keys. Eventually he musters up his inner strength, discards of the keys in the abysmal waters, and thus, Satan is defeated, and his thunderous scream is heard behind the narration as he descends into the pits of Hell, before the song resumes with hooking guitar and Kiske's epic vocals to conclude the epic-and the albums themselves. Definitely an addictive song!
Another song that you should not miss in favour of other ones that have already hooked you is "We Got the Right". This power ballad is electrifying from start to finish and it will hook even the most demanding ones effortlessly. Kiske's trademark vocals and the complimentary chorus, in combination with the effortless guitars and drums, have no trouble enticing you to go back and listen to it again and again.
And here you can listen to the entire album, north American release ("Save Us" as track nr 7) and the bonus disc material. Thumbs up to whoever made that playlist so I didn't have to!
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