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Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2

Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2 Audio CD

A fair review of the Helloween "Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Helloween reviews here, or go back to the Helloween tabs.

Band: Helloween
Title: Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2
Rating:

Release Date: 1990-10-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Invitation 2: Eagle Fly Free 3: You Always Walk Alone 4: Rise and Fall 5: Dr. Stein 6: We Got the Right 7: Save Us 8: March of Time 9: I Want Out 10: Keeper of the Seven Keys

A fabulous continuation of the first epic album + Bonus tracks

To be fair (without being influenced by the love and respect I have for this album) in my opinion PartII wasn't as good as the first one. The second part of the groundbreaking Keeper Of The Seven Keys part I! Now EXPANDED, containing 3 must-have Bonus Tracks and Remastered, providing an improved sound quality to the original release of 1988. Nevertheless it is a record containing some of the best known power/speed metal songs ever written! The album continues with the same energy and atmosphere as PartI but with the majority of the songwriting coming from guitarist Weikath and a slightly more commercial feel. All in all a wonderful conclusion to the first part.

"Eagle Fly Free" is considered the best power metal song ever written, comprising of dual guitar solos,perfect vocals,a bass and drum solo. "Dr. Stein" is a wonderful, melodic, funny(lyrics) and classic song. "March Of Time" is a technical, also melodic and strong power tune. "I Want Out" is a pop (catchy), heavy metal song that fulfills its purpose. "We Got The Right" is a strong power-ballad were Michael Kiske shines, delivering a breathtaking performance filled with melodic and high-pitched vocals. Finally the title track has some magnificent ideas but it sadly can't surpass the masterpiece "Halloween" of part I (the chorus is a little cheesy).

Musically the album is still characterized by mainly fast double-bass drumming, melodic riffs and solos and outstanding vocals.

The production is slightly better than the first part, as the album sounds tighter and kind of clearer. The band sounds a bit tighter too compared to their previous release, but that maybe due to the better production.

Michael Kiske has surely glued in the band and his charismatic voice gives you the chills throughout the whole album (he sings higher than ever, hitting all possible notes with great precision)!

The only minor drawback are the tracks "You Always Walk Alone" and "Rise and Fall" which cannot by any means be considered bad songs, but just don't seem to fit here. . . And the other being that most of the song writing was done by Weikath, who is an exceptional songwriter and guitarist but not as good as Hansen.

This is a classic and groundbreaking record in the history shelves of metal, together with part I. A source of inspiration and influence to countless bands to follow.

This is also the last chapter in the Hansen - Helloween (80's) glorious era, from where onwards the band went downhill (in my opinion).

A MUST HAVE for any power/speed,heavy metal and open-minded hard rock fan.

Be sure to check out "Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I" and "I Want Out: Live". .

like Dangerfield...........they get no respect.....
these guys are so talented, and so unheralded, that it's a crime. what a masterful performance, from one metal's most underappreciated acts. they are every bit the equal of groups like Maiden, Priest, Saxon and others, and never really received any fanfare. this release is a gem, and a must own for any metal fan. i'm ashamed i waited so long to write a review for this cd, as i have owned it since it was released. part 1 is very good as well. they are about even, but i give this one the nod. from track 1, "the invitation", it rolls along beautifully, and impresses throughout. the performances are impressive, and inspiring. the production, very good. a must have for any collection. take my word for it, you will enjoy this gem. trust me. peace. .

damn good
i want out is the one song that got me into power metal. okay first of all i wantt o start by saying how the hell can you call this band a ripoff of iron maiden i am betting all the people who say that are iron maiden fans damnit i think iron maiden is soo overrated to the point you are not metal if you dont like no love iron maiden what the hell helloween are a great band and are more imporant to me than iron maiden !! keeper of the seven keys part 1 and 2 features helloweens best lineup ever. i highly recommend to any REAL metal fan. and also iron maiden takes themselves way way too serisou. helloween start that humor in power metal look at edguy who take that helloween type of humor and put it into their music. i mean do you always want sersiou grim lryics ? .

Full metal racket
The music writing team is firing on all cylinders with Kiske, Kai Hansen and band leader Michael Weikath all coming up with a number of gems for the listener. Michael Kiske is the lead throat on this album, really in some ways the start of a new era for Helloween after The Walls of Jericho and Keys Pt I.

Wrapped in cool cover art and very much steeped in a genre they helped define, this album sees the band stretching out musically, while staying true to their formula of 'high speed megagoth', to quote another reviewer.

Songs span the aspirational in Eagle Fly Free, the bemusing metal of Rise and Fall and the quirkiness of Dr Stein. Bolstered by the histrionic Save Us and the Kai Hansen soul baring tune of I Want Out, this is an album with much to offer the fan of this style of metal. And that style is balls to the wall, fast paced metal, sort of a prototype for all later power metal and also with one foot in the speed metal genre. The songs are at times fairly simple, despite everything happening at a million miles per hour but in this case that speed works well. The songs for the most part stretch out to five minutes or so, except for the last track which is a 13+ minute opus. Very well placed at the end of the disc, as putting it earlier may well of sapped the energy from the album as a whole.

Helloween were on a creative and commercial high point here as this album garnered the band many many fans around the traps. Highly recommended.
.

..............And The Magic Continues........somewhere between 4 & 5 stars
With the same line-up as 'Part 1' (consisting of Kiske on vocals, Hansen and Weikath on guitar, Grosskopf on bass and Schwichtenberg behind the kit) Helloween continue their concept of good vs. Released only a year apart from its predecessor 'Part 1', 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 2' finds Helloween at the top of their game and in the middle of creating a genre later known as power metal. evil, anti-war protests and freedom for all with extremely inspirational lyrics. . . . not to mention well crafted songs.
Kiske displays a powerful and innovative voice. With greater vocal ability and more confidence he flows through each song wonderfully. . . . never holding back. The dual guitar shredding from Hansen and Weikath bring speed, power and melody to its highest point clearly separating themselves from comparisions to shall I say. . . . . . . . . Iron Maiden. Grosskopf's bass lines are a bit relaxed yet still mature and experimental. And bringing up the rear is the solid thumping of Schwichtenberg.
The production of the album is a bit better than 'Part 1'. The sound is bigger with a commerical feel to it that 'Part 1' lacked. In ways I enjoy the pop-friendly songs (Dr. Stein, I Want Out) but at the same time I don't. It seemed a bit cheesy at certain points. Especially during the worst (in my opinion) Helloween track from that period. The silly sounding 'Rise And Fall' stands out as the weakest song from both albums. Leading me to believe "What were they thinking". But the weakest points are few and far between.
With stand-out tracks like 'You Always Walk Alone', 'We Got The Right' and the extremely confident sounding 'Eagle Fly Free', not to mention the deeper, heavier tracks like 'March Of Time', 'Save Us' and the 13+ minute epic 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' Helloween has made a permanent stamp on the face of metal.
Yet it is still hard to believe this band was falling apart while creating the 'Keeper' albums. Internal fueding and bad record contracts lead to the exit of founder Kai Hansen just mere weeks after the release of 'Part 2'. The chemistry was perfect but unstable and couldn't last. Helloween would never again sound this incredible.
The rest of this review is for the 2 disc UK expanded edition which I highly recommend. Having the original is great but this remastered edition clearly rocks. Everything has come to life from the old recording sessions and everything sounds so incredible. Along with that there are extra tracks here for the hardcore fans of the band. 'Savage' a great Kiske-penned track is an upbeat number with great lyrics and an awesome arrangement. Another b-side called ' Livin' Ani't No Crime' is equally satisfying. Then there is 'Don't Run For Cover' a somewhat poppy but also very enjoyable track. Each one of these b-sides have awesome riffs and could have easily been put on either 'Keeper' album. Two remixed versions of 'Dr. Stein' and 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' taken from the 'Treasure Chest' compliation round off the second disc.
Whether you are new to the band or an old fan such as myself this expanded edition is the way to go. Hands down worth the extra $$$ for the import. Buy it for the sound,for the extra tracks and for the booklet filled with pics and notes about the recording sessions. It's hard to believe these albums are almost 20 years old and they still sound fantastic. And although I'm not a fan of power metal in general I am a proud fan of Helloween.

You can see a complete list of all Helloween discography, or go back to the Helloween tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.