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CD reviews

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: 2006-08-08
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: March of Time 8: I Want Out 9: Keeper of the Seven Keys 10: Save Us 11: Savage [Single B-Side] 12: Livin' Ain't No Crime [Single B-Side] 13: Don't Run for Cover [Single B-Side] 14: Dr. Stein [*][Mix] 15: Keeper of the Seven Keys [*][Mix]

A classic for sure...
I had this years ago, but lost it somehow. This is a must have for any hard rock fan. I had forgotten how good a singer Kiske was. He is up there with the likes of Halford,Dickinson, and Midight(Crimson Glory).

Power Metal Gem
Many bands would follow in Helloween's footsteps following this album and this is where the power metal really began. Helloween may have started the power metal thing with "Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt1" after they began including more melody and "epicness" after "Walls of Jericho" but they perfected it with "Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt 2" - this thing is flawless power metal from start to finish. "Eagle Fly Free" is a speed metal track with a very catchy chorus, trade-off shred guitar solos, a bass solo (!), and even a little drum solo as well! Michael Kiske's vocals soar here like an eagle, but then again there's not a moment on this album that doesn't happen. "March of Time" is a personal favorite in the power metal genre - the song is simply about "time" but they make it so epic and that chorus just gives me chills up and down my spine listening to it - it's just that powerful melody that Helloween is so good at creating, it's just epic from start to finish. I think Kiske's voice shines the best here, and it's probably one of the fastest tracks on the album. "I Want Out" is Helloween's well known song, not really a power metal track, but it has Helloween's traits of dual lead guitar lines and guitar solos, along with Kiske's vocals. "Keeper of the Seven Keys" is a gem in the power metal genre as well - the 13 minute epic track starts off slow before gradually speeding up with it's progressive-like song structure. The chorus is very melodic, heroic, slow but still powerful. The best part is the guitar solos - they are everywhere in the middle of the song, and the speed metal part of the song is where the climax is! After that, the song finishes with a final chorus that brings the heart pounding action to a close. "Save Us" is a typical Helloween speed metal track with the well known band-"chorus" that raises hands and pumps fists.
Helloween's "Keeper Of The Seven Keys" brought the band into new heights and notice, and brought out power metal to the masses. If you are a fan of power metal, you're incomplete without this album as it is essential.

Powerful power metal
The Seven Keys albums are two of the all-time progressive metal greats. I still find myself thrashing out to Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2 (and Part 1, natch). Bands are still trying to recreate the genius of this era, but I can't seem to find anything that lives up to it. Just goes to show that you have to keep moving forward, not back.

There isn't a single weak track on either of these albums. I should probably point out some highlights, though. Dr. Stein is silly, but classic Helloween. Much as I enjoy the song, I tend toward the songs that peel paint off your walls. I find myself continually looping Eagle Fly Free, with it's soaring chorus and driving, relentless drumming. I Want Out is equally inspiring and anthemic. Though the track ordering is different than the original release (the version I have--yes, I want to check out the remaster), Save Us is a great way to finish the album. Just as you think things are winding to a close, the intro quickly builds into a galloping rhythm that leads to one of the most enduring guitar solos I've ever heard. The song (and album) end leaving you breathless and wanting more.

Disc 2 here includes Savage, which is another one of my favorite go-to Helloween songs when I am in the mood to thrash hard. I have my version off of The Best - The Rest - The Rare, which isn't a bad disc for those new to Helloween to get a feel for what they are in for.

Side note: Um, Amazon, would it be too much to correctly title albums and tracks in your music department?.

A must have for metal fans
'Eagle Fly Free,' 'Rise and Fall,' 'Dr. Quality-wise, this album is the best studio album in my life. Stein,' 'We Got the Right,' 'March of Time,' 'I Want Out,' 'Keeper of the Seven Keys' are all great songs. The best melodic metal album.

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) PartII wasn't as good as the first one, but very close. 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 Keeper II is a record containing some of the most known power 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 mid-tempo and 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. 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 drawbacks are the track "Rise and Fall" which cannot by any means be considered a bad song, but doesn'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").

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.