"Keeper of The Seven Keys Pt. 1"

Helloween - "Keeper of The Seven Keys Pt. 1"
February 1987
Producer: Tommy Newton

    Sometimes when a band tries to broden their horizons and explore their options musically sometimes long time supporters of the group may not approve of the change of direction, believing in notion 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. However, if the band can appeal to new fans that may not have given them a fair listen before, most bands will tell you it was a risk worth taking. This is the situation that faced German Heavy Metal Legends Helloween with their second full length record 1987's "Keeper of The Seven Keys Pt. 1"
    In 1985 Helloween released their first record "Walls of Jericho" and it was a major success across Germany. Featuring guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen as the front-man. Helloween in those days consisted of a very thrashy sound that most people that discover the band these days would be shocked to learn that such a sound existed on a Helloween record.
    It was at some point in 1986 that the band decided to a hire a vocal specialist. At the time Helloween was a four-piece band consisting of: Guitarist/Vocalist Kai Hansen, Guitarist Michael Weikath, Bassist Markus Grosskopf and Drummer Ingo Scwichtenberg. They knew they were getting a very talented vocalist but I don`t think they realized how much of an influential figure he`d become for future vocalists in a form of metal that was later coined "Power Metal". Believe it or not in 1987 he was only 18 his name: Michael Kiske.
    True, while Hansen and Kiske were both melodic singers the major difference between the two were Kiske's significant higher range. Helloween needed a more operatic and flamboyant voice to match the melodies that were being written and beyond.
    The making of this record would be one of the first real 'tests' that the band of endure. During the writing and creative stages of the album, guitarist Michael Weikath would suffer a nervous breakdown, therefore causing his contributions to be very little in this record, in fact he only wrote one song on this record the ballad-esk "A Tale That Wasn't Right". However, with the negative there is a positive and that turned out to be guitarist Kai Hansen in this situation. On this record out of the eight tracks, Kai solely wrote five of them himself showing everybody that he is indeed a very strong songwriter. Also on this album because of Michael's illness Kai recorded all rhythm guitars you hear on the record, and also a fair amount of lead work as well. Despite his illness Michael was allowed to record his own lead parts but that's all he was able to do on this album.
    This record is mainly known for two tracks. The first being a Helloween classic and a staple in their setlist to this very day in the tune "Future World", which tells us a story about the glory of living in a Utopian society. However, perhaps this song I'm about to tell you of might be what the album is known for best. It's my personal favorite cut off the record, Kai Hansen's 13-minute epic titled "Halloween", which tells us a tongue-in-cheek tale about the happenings and going-ons on Halloween night. In the track "Halloween" I feel it was the measuring stick in all of Power Metal at the time of it's release. It contains all the elements perfectly balanced in which make a killer Power Metal tune, they are: melodic and soaring sing-along vocals, very catchy but aggressive riffs, incredible melodic lead work and twin harmonies that are permanently embedded in your brain. Indeed the perfect Power Metal track.
    I should just quickly mention that this album has a couple of hidden gems that sometimes get overlooked because of Helloween's very lengthy discography. They are "I'm Alive" and "Twilight of The Gods". They are both very fast and upbeat anthem like tracks, with lots of memorable fret work and vocals.
    All in all Helloween prove that sometimes taking your music in a new direction can be for the better good for a band. Although they might have lost some fans who preferred their aggressive sound over their more euphoric sound. Helloween was at the start of a new movement in heavy metal, that would start gathering many bands in the years to follow. Weather your a Power Metal devout or your interest in the genre is only starting to peek, if you ever stumble across "Keeper of The Seven Keys Pt. 1" do not hesitate pick up this very prestigious record, as it is a "keeper" for your collection.
My Killer Kutz: "Halloween", "Future World" & "I'm Alive"