Helloween is a band that continues through the pumpkin patches of the world now in their 47th-year since their original inception in 1978 with Gentry although truly 1983 would mark the official start as a power metal with progressive metal overtones. Honestly not all albums have hit the bullseye, but that is true any band especially one with their resume. Throughout their career the line-up has changed, and whatever they do musically it will always be compared to fantastic albums Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 and 2; though nonetheless ‘7 Sinners’ does return the band in rare form once more for 13-studio release that was on Halloween in 2010.
The album starts with refreshing intense heavy and powerful drumming which made me think of Disturbed’s “Down with the Sickness” (2000) classic sound, but Helloween quickly moves away from this and plays a straight power metal song boasting solid riffs and cool chorus. “Are You Metal?” is all about the love of metal though definitely not in the same vein as Manowar “Die for Metal” track, this variation is thoroughly more intense throughout the song. A true return to classic sound of the band’s roots and was the album’s first single.
The band amps up a heavier sound but never enters the speed metal subgenre, just faster progressive power metal playing. Onward to the next track “Who is Mr. Madman?” which contains prologue spoken by Biff Byford which some will recall from ‘Gambling with the Devil’ album. “Raise the Noise” keeps the upbeat feeling continuing especially at the 3-minute mark there’s flute solo by Eberhard Hahn, I know it’s bizarre, but it works and fits into the prog-power metal as the guitarist support the episode. Next, is “World of Fantasy” a good track, catchy riffs and builds upon the epic performance at the .58-seconds and more inching upward 1.33-minute mark and pivots to spiral up in aggressive 3.31-minute with an incredible of all musicianship showcasing their talents, incredibly drumming by Dani Löble.
Honestly, “Long Live the King” abandons the power metal and turns the attention with a major embrace for intense thrashy-style of mix soaring and fast vocals and seriously pounding from Löble. Well, things settle down for a bit as we have keyboard driven song with “The Smile of the Sun” a power ballad, though for me it is skip it track, the switch from the previous songs is too great to enjoy. A few times the song tries to break out especially after 2.30-minutes but ends after another minute to a quiet refrain before striving to uptick the tempo just too much of a mixed bag. The aggressiveness returns with “You Stupid Mankind” though unnecessary Deris’ vocals change to almost experimental level it pulls the overall track downward just a bit. Finally, an almost epic track embraces the album clocking in at 6.44-minutes “If A Mountain Could Talk” gives great insight to Helloween’s long-standing as a power metal band. Alas sometimes lyrics can make a song fall flat even while the musicianship is impressive, and that happens with “The Sage, the Fool, the Sinner.” Löble should receive full credit for “My Sacrifice” it starts with an epic bombastic assault of drums, and wonderful vocals and rich lyrics. “Not Yet Today” not needed, a spoken 1-minute track that is more of set-up for the final track is out of style with the rest of the album. The album concludes with the longest track, almost fitting, as it uses every ounce of Helloween’s skill and talent especially at 4.28-minute mark with an instrumental love-affair that dazzles in an aggressive song and solid lyrics that rocks the average power metal fan and the bands fans; too.
Track Listing:
1. Where The Sinners Go
2. Are You Metal?
3. Who is Mr. Madman?
4. Raise The Noise
5. World Of Fantasy
6. Long Live The King
7. The Smile Of The Sun
8. You Stupid Mankind
9. If A Mountain Could Talk
10. The Sage, The Fool, The Sinner
11. My Sacrifice
12. Not Yet Today
13. Far In The Future
Band Members:
Andi Deris – Vocals
Michael Weikath – Guitar
Sascha Gerstner – Guitar, backing vocals
Markus Grosskopf – Bass
Dani Löble – Drums
Not all songs live up to the same quality there’s like one or two skip-its, however Helloween still made a powerful power metal fans and newcomers, and I found to similar a few ways to previous efforts such ‘Better Than Raw’. Overall, it is shockingly faster and intense listening enjoyment as if the band members were truly enjoying themselves, the songs and flow on the album is not forced with corny lyrics.
Band Links:
https://www.facebook.com/helloweenofficial
https://www.instagram.com/helloweenofficial
https://www.reverbnation.com/helloween
Baron’s Rating: 4.0/5.0