Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1 [Japan Bonus Tracks] (CD - 1987)

Helloween: Michael Kiske (vocals); Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen (guitar, background vocals); Marcus Grosskopf (bass guitar, background vocals); Ingo Schwichtenberg (drums).

The follow-up to what was arguably Helloween's finest album, KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS PART 1, finds the German power-metal pioneers in something of a holding pattern. While PART 2 doesn't match the glory of its predecessor, it still represents Helloween as one of Europe's finest and most influential metal outfits, with songs like "I Want Out" showing off their trademark blend of classic metal structures and thrash metal intensity. The album would be founding member/guitarist Kai Hansen's last with the group, and while Helloween would go on to future success with new line-ups, KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS PART 2 marks the last gasp of their classic line-up.

In the world of heavy metal, 1988 may be best remembered as the year that prog metal was born, thanks to such popular and enduring releases as Metallica's ...And Justice for All, Queensrÿche's Operation: Mindcrime, and Iron Maiden's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. But predating all of these aforementioned titles by a year was Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1 by Germany's Helloween. Influenced equally by Maiden and Judas Priest, the group specialized in both anthemic metal (with operatic vocals) and tricky musical bits -- as evidenced by the epic track "Halloween," which received quite a few spins on Headbangers Ball as an edited version. Although the group issued a second installment of Keeper of the Seven Keys a year later, they were not able to keep pace with the other prog metallists -- despite carving out a lengthy career for themselves (with countless lineup switches). Come 2005, the group -- whose only recognizable bandmember is guitarist Michael Weikath -- returned to what put them on the map in the first place, issuing Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy. A sprawling double-disc set, all the musical elements from the earlier Keeper releases are back in place, as evidenced by a pair of lengthy tracks, "The King for a 1,000 Years" and "Occasion Avenue," as well as the leadoff single, "Mrs. God." While it probably won't help touch off another "prog metal movement" like Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1 did, longtime Helloween fans won't be let down with the latest Keeper installment. ~ Greg Prato

Influenced by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, Helloween specialized in blistering yet melodic heavy metal with a strong gothic orientation. On Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1 (arguably Helloween's best album), lead vocalist Michael Kiske has no problem singing in a high, ear-splitting pitch -- often demonstrating just how great an impact Rob Halford has had on him. Although Helloween was never in a class with either Priest or Maiden, this very conceptual album is competent, enjoyable, and generally well done. There are no hormone-driven odes to women in tight dresses (a recurring theme in metal and hard rock) on Keeper; from "Future World" to "Twilight of the Gods," Helloween sticks to the type of gothic, fantasy-oriented lyrics it was known for. Helloween's contributions to metal were never outstanding, but as Keeper showcases, the band did have its moment. [Keeper was reissued in 2006 with four bonus cuts including "Victim of Fate," "Starlight," an alternative version of "A Little Time" and the five minute radio edit of "Halloween."] ~ Alex Henderson minimize