HELLOWEEN - Helloween

Artist:  Helloween
Album:  Helloween
Year:  2021
Genre:  Speed Metal / Power Metal

I’m treating this review as if it’s a reaction video on YouTube sans the technology.  Nope, nobody has to see my dumb face.  There is not going to be any deep insight or nitpicking happening on this one.  I wanted to throw my thoughts down like a friend is sitting right in front of me asking about the new Helloween record.  This is a much more stream-of-consciousness writing style than I usually pull off here.  I purchased the album a few days ago and just had a chance to give it a spin.  My initial reaction was, “Why the fuck haven’t they been playing like this the whole time???”  Well, at least why haven’t they since the late 80s.  I’ve been a fan of these speedy Germans since the release of their classic Walls Of Jericho record.  But, after Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 2, I haven’t been too impressed with the band whatsoever.  I still check out every Helloween release, and, while there are one or two good songs on each record, there is zero reason for me to actually own any other releases because it won’t get listened to at all.  That is until this new record.  Now, some of you putting this musical puzzle together might ask, “Why the hell did you buy this record if you don’t like anything they’ve done in the last 30+ years?”  That’s an extremely good observation and fair question.  The answer is the return of vocalist Michael Kiske…the guy that sang for them when I last liked the band.  That and a very positive “thumbs up” type of affirmation about this album from a very trusted metal comrade.  I don’t go taking chances on bands and albums like I used to, but this one was reeling me in, so I threw my money down without hearing a single song.  Yes, I know there’s this thing called the internet and I could listen to the whole album, but I wanted that exciting nostalgic feeling of record buying and listening I had in the 80s and 90s.  Am I happy with my purchase?  In the brick-breaking words of the Kool-Aid Man, “Oh yeah!”

Helloween is the record that should have followed the wonderful “Keeper Of The Seven Keys” duo way back when. An obvious reason is the incredible and soaring vocals of Mr. Kiske.  He sounds fucking awesome and has not lost anything all these years, including his signature tone.  The trade-offs between him and long-time vocalist Andi Deris make things very interesting.  What’s even better is that co-founding guitar player / vocalist Kai Hansen lays down his distinctive voice on this record.  This doesn’t make much sense, but it made happy to hear him and knowing this was a Helloween record and not any of his other bands.  Now, maybe because it was Helloween’s grand plan of having a comeback album of sorts that is causing all members on this record to bring their ‘A’ game because everyone is crushing it!  The album is fast, well-written and very powerful.  I kept listening with a skeptical ear just waiting for it to go awry so I would learn my lesson to look before I leap before buying another unknown album.  Yet, it never disappointed me.  The only thing I truly noticed was the very last song didn’t live up to the high standard of the rest and I found it strange that’s where the album ended.  Maybe I just wanted more and for it not to end.  It’s been a while since a record did that to me.  I cannot wait to put this record on again.  In the 80s, Helloween were trailblazers and laid the foundation for the future of speed metal.  I truly believe they have done it again with this release.  Time to step up your game all you power and speed metal bands.  The kings are back!

ADDITIONAL NOTE:  I have listened to the record a few more times and it gets better every spin!  The song “Mass Pollution” is the best power metal song a whole lot of years!  The last song is still a mess and doesn’t live up to their past epics.  I’m in love with this record!

Listen to "Mass Pollution" here.