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After the startling debut with the bomb of an album that is "Walls Of Jericho", Helloween immediately tries to break through the year after with the first saga of the keeper of the seven keys, that is (as you might have guessed) "Keeper Of The Seven Keys part I".
Few would be the people who, upon listening to the two albums, would confidently say they are by the same band. In fact, even though only four seasons have passed, a lot of water has flowed under the bridges, starting with the voice. Indeed, the vocal parts are no longer handled by the guitarist and soul of the band, Kai Hansen, but (hear, hear) by the legendary Michael Kiske, whom I wouldn’t hesitate to consider as one of the best singers in the metal scene, and the difference is already noticeable, both in the voice and the songs. In fact, my friend (or less!) Kiske makes an incredible contribution to the songwriting, indeed we go from straightforward blasting songs with a voice rough as sandpaper to decidedly more melodic, joyful, and thoughtful songs, surrounded by a voice that is nothing short of exhilarating, although I must admit that the power remains at home!
After this brief introduction, let’s move on to the analysis of the album tracks, which after the classic intro gives way to the beautiful "I'm Alive", which we could also take as a classic song of the German band. Here we find power and melody perfectly united with a stunning solo that instills such energy that it could allow a child to lift Mount Everest! After the carefree melodies of "A Little Time", it's time to listen to the great "Twilight Of The Gods" which begins with the usual happy riffs that made Helloween famous, only to be abandoned to Maiden-like gallops and fearsome solos, giving life to one of the coolest songs of the combo.
Now comes the time for our old friends to experiment, and they try with the ballad "A Tale That Wasn't Right", and I must admit that it doesn’t succeed very well, as it presents itself in my opinion as the weak point of the album. But there’s not even time to think about it because "Future World" comes along forcefully, undoubtedly the best track on the album where we find a super Kiske who demonstrates impressive maturity despite his very young age, and a Grosskopf who with his four strings offers us exhilarating riffs...
But it doesn't end here, because to beautifully conclude the album, there is another pillar of the Hamburg band: we are talking about Halloween, which stands in all its 13 minutes always showing itself interesting and never boring with that compelling chorus and numerous solos, leaving us with the Outro "Follow The Sign", which definitively closes the first part of the saga created by the pumpkins...
Surely, at least in my opinion, this "Keeper Of The Seven Keys part I" cannot hold a candle to Walls and Keeper part II, both for the quality of the songs and for their reduced number, but I cannot deny that it presents an enormous historical importance for the development of metal, definitively marking the sound of Helloween, with which they were then known worldwide.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 I'm Alive (03:23)
You, you say, you have lost the way
Got no aim, just livin' for today
Look up to the sky above
And see the morning sun again
You got so much power inside
So cry it out my friend
Chorus
I'm alive, I'm alive
I'm alive, I'm alive
There's no use in hangin' all around
You're a king, can't you see your crown
Look into my eyes
So many things are waiting to be done
You just need a friend
Together we will sing along
Chorus
(Solo)
(Kai/Harmony both/Melody Kai)
Look into my eyes
So many things are waiting to be done
You just need a friend
Together we will sing along
Chorus
04 Twilight of the Gods (04:30)
We've thrown away our former gods
Controlling our day
We have created better ones
So we control the way
We are the ones with the power
To hold down the enemy
Our gods are perfection
And they are protecting our lives
We still need some more of them
To be safe from the other side
As long as we're stronger
Nothing will happen to us
Fireflash in the night
Just an evil dream
Holy war in the sky. . . .never
Insania 20 16
Error in store 103
We watch the sun at night
The pretty gods we've built ourselves
Now terminate our lives
Silicon brain powered voices
Are crying "attack" tonight
In anger, burning our world
Doomsday has come
And there is no place to hide away
The future is over
And there is no turning back
Fireflash in the night
Now reality
Holy war in the sky. . . .
Chorus
Twilight of the gods
Insania's dead and gone
Another world was born
But the twilight soon will come
(Solo)
(Mike/Harmony both/Kai)
Fireflash in the night
Now reality
Holy war in the sky
Chorus
05 A Tale That Wasn't Right (04:44)
Here I stand all alone
Have my mind turned to stone
Have my heart filled up with ice
To avoid it's breakin' twice
Thanx to you, my dear old friend
But you can't help, this is the end
Of a tale that wasn't right
I won't have no sleep tonight
Chorus
In my heart, in my soul
I really hate to pay this toll
Should be strong, young and bold
But the only thing I feel is pain
It's alright, we'll stay friends
Trustin' in my confidence
And let's say it's just alright
You won't sleep alone tonight
Chorus
(Solo)
(Mike)
With my heart, with my soul
Some guys cry you bought and sold
They've been strong, young and bold
And they say, play this song again
Chorus
(Solo Licks Mike)
06 Future World (04:03)
If you're out there all alone
And you don't know where to go to
Come and take a trip with me to Future World
And if you're running through your life
And you don't know what the sense is
Come and look how it could be, in Future World
We all live in happiness our life is full of joy
We say the word "tomorrow" without fear
The feeling of togetherness is always at our side
We love our life and we know we will stay
Chorus
Cause we all live in Future World
A world that's full of love
Our future live will be glorious
Come with me--Future World
You say you'd like to stay,
But this is not your time
Go back, find your own way to Future World
Life can be for living
Just try and never give in
Tell everyone the way to Future World
One day you'll live in happiness
With a heart that's full of joy
You'll say the word "tomorrow" without fear
The feeling of togetherness will be at your side
You'll say you love your life and you'll know why
Chorus
Chorus
07 Halloween (13:20)
Masquerade, masquerade
Grab your mask and don't be late
Get out get out well disguised
Heat and fever in the air tonight
Meet the others at the store,
Knock on other people's door
Trick or treat they have the choice,
Little ghosts are makin' lotsa noise
But watch out. . .beware--listen. . .take care
In the streets on Halloween
There's something going on
No way to escape the power unknown
In the streets on Halloween
The spirits will arise
Make your choice, it's hell or paradise
Ah--it's Halloween
Ah--it's Halloween. . .tonight!
Someone's sitting in a field,
Never giving yield
Sitting there with gleaming eyes,
Waiting for big pumpkin to arise
Bad luck if you get a stone,
Like the good old Charlie Brown
You think Linus could be right
The kids will say it's just a stupid lie
But watch out. . .beware--listen. . .take care
In the streets on Halloween
There's something going on
No way to escape the power unknown
In the streets on Halloween
The spirits will arise
Make your choice, it's hell or paradise
Ah--it's Halloween
Ah--it's Halloween. . .tonight
Listen now--we are calling you. . .
And there is magic in the air
(Solo Kai)
Magic in the air. . .on Halloween
Black is the night full of fright
You'll be missing the day
What will be here very soon
Changing your way
a knock at your door
Is it real or is it a dream
On trembling legs you open the door
And you scream. . . .on Halloween
(Solo Kai/Mike/Kai/Mike)
Darkness
Where am I now
Is there anybody out there
What has happened
Am I in heaven
Or is it hell
I can see a light comin'
It's comin' nearer
It's shining
It's shining so bright
It's shining on me
(Solo Kai/Mike/Rhythm change Mike/Kai/Mike/Kai)
I am the one, doom's in my hands
Now make your choice,
Redeemed or enslaved
I'll show you passion and glory
He is the snake
I'll give you power and abundance
He's the corrupter of man
Save me from the evil one
Give me strength to carry on
I will fight for all mankind's
Deliverance and peace of mind
(Harmony Solo both)
But watch out. . .beware--listen. . .take care
In the streets on Halloween
There's something going on
No way to escape the power unknown
In the streets on Halloween
The spirits will arise
Make your choice, it's hell or paradise
Ah--it's Halloween
Ah--it's Halloween. . .tonight
Yeah, it's Halloween
(Solo Licks Kai)
Yeah, it's Halloween. . .tonight
08 Follow the Sign (01:47)
(M - Hansen, L - Weikath)
Now that you've made your choice
Follow the sign
Did you make your choice?
You're the keeper of the seven keys
Our only hope's your victory
So follow the sign
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Other reviews
By power85
"I can easily define 'I’m Alive' as the best song ever written by Helloween: it is powerful, immediate."
"'A Tale that Wasn’t Right' is the worst ballad I have ever heard: it’s clichéd, boring, repetitive."
