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Helloween - Master of the Rings Audio CD

A fair review of the Helloween "Master of the Rings" 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.

Helloween Band: Helloween
Title: Master of the Rings
Rating:
Release Date: 2001-09-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Irritation 2: Sole Survivor 3: Where the Rain Grows 4: Why? 5: Mr. Ego 6: Perfect Gentleman 7: Game Is On 8: Secret Alibi 9: Take Me Home 10: In the Middle of a Heartbeat 11: Still We Go

Master of the Rings!
I didn't really care for Chameleon, but I thought Pink Bubbles go Ape was pretty good, at least it was metal, unlike Chameleon. When I first got into Helloween, I would listen to the albums Walls of Jericho and Keeper of the Seven Keys part I and II. After listening to those I realized I had enough Helloween, but then one day I heard the track called "Where the Rain Grows" off the Master of the Rings albums. I suddenly became interested in the album. Then I listened to samples of the album that Amazon offers. I was amazed just by 30 second samples. So I bought this deluxe edition of the album. This has become my second favorite Helloween album, with Walls of Jericho at #1. The bonus disc is great. It has rare singles and other cool stuff. This is metal at its finest.

This is my rating of each track:
1. "Irritation" ****
2. "Sole Survivor" *****
3. "Where The Rain Grows" *****
4. "Why?" *****
5. "Mr. Ego (Take Me Down)" ****
6. "Perfect Gentleman" ****
7. "The Game Is On" ***
8. "Secret Alibi" ***
9. "Take Me Home" ***
10. "In The Middle Of A Heartbeat" **
11. "Still We Go" ****

Also recommended: Other Helloween albums, Gamma Ray, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Destruction, Running Wild, Omen, Saxon, Mercyful Fate, Fates Warning, Queensryche, Candlemass, Death, Trouble, UFO, and Watchtower.


Back on Track
In addition to these lackluster albums, much of the band's initial lineup had departed, which made 1994's Master of the Rings a "do or die" album. After unleashing a pair of albums (Keeper of the Seven Keys Parts I & II) that would set the power metal world on fire, Helloween served up two albums that can be described as bizarre (Pink Bubbles Go Ape) and confused (Chameleon) at best.

This is the album Helloween should have released just after Keeper Part II. Master of the Rings is a tight, melodic power metal album that avoids the goofball humor of Pink Bubbles Go Ape (Heavy Metal Hamsters, anyone) as well as the watered down rock of Chameleon. Master of the Rings is a complete breath of fresh air, thanks in large part to new vocalist Andi Deris, whose tenure with melodic rockers Pink Cream 69 made him the ideal choice to replace Michael Kiske. Deris's powerful vocal delivery, plus his songwriting abilities made him a true asset to Helloween. This is a fantastic power metal album all the way through (OK, perhaps the obligatory instrumental introductory track doesn't add much), and one that should bring old school Helloween fans back to the fold.


Good Power Metal CD

I like this album. Forget the history lesson here most everyone knows about this band. Songs are very catchy and have power. Not all the songs are good but most are, making This power Metal Album worth the money.
I am into 80's metal and it has that feel to it.
Vocals and music are excellent.
Out of all the Helloween Albums this CD and Keeper. . . Keys {though this album is not the classic as Keeper was} still get play time.
I would suggest this a must buy for Helloween and Power metal fan alike.
.


Helloween's Return to Heavy Metal
This is also the first CD with the vocalist Andi Deris. This may not be the best Helloween CD, but it marks a turning point in the band's history that would lead to masterpieces like 'The Time of the Oath' and 'The Dark Ride'. Deris' singing, while not as dynamic as Kiske's, has an edge to it which gives newer Helloween albums a distinctive sound. Here is the breakdown song by song. . .

1. Irritation: instrumental intro
2. Sole Survivor: 5/5 Power metal at its finest
3. Where the Rain Grows: 4/5 Considered a Helloween classic
4. Why?: 4/5 Very different for a Helloween song. . . good tho
5. Mr Ego: 4/5 Slow and heavy, great lyrics (about Kiske)
6. Perfect Gentleman: 4/5 Catchy & fun in a Dr. Stien way
7. The Game is on: 1/5 Trys hard to be a fun song. . . too hard. . .
8. Secret Alibi: 3/5 Fun lyrics, but overall a forgettable song
9: Take me Home: 3/4 VERY weird. . . takes time to appreciate
10:In the Middle of a Heartbeat: 5/5 One of their best ballads!
11:Still we Go: 4/5 Great power metal closer with good lyrics

'Master of the Rings' isn't the best Helloween CD out there, but still is worth having in your collection. .


A Very Good Album
It wasn't until I got a double cd called The Encyclopedia of German Metal in 1997 that I re-discovered Helloween with the song Why? By this time of course lead singer Michael Kiske was out and Andi Deris from the band Pink Cream 69 was in. I first got into Helloween with Keeper Of The Seven Keys-Part I and then I stopped following them. Master Of Rings is full of great vocal melodies, good riffs, and catchy choruses. My favorites are Mr. Ego, Why, Where The Rain Grows, Perfect Gentleman, Secret Alibi, and the ballad In The Middle Of A Heartbeat. I know a lot of long time fans were not happy with Master Of Rings but I like this kind of melodic power metal so I continue to follow them with each album.


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.

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