Customer Reviews

Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1

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Looking at this as a fan of the album when it originally came it, it's not bad. If you're looking to check out Helloween for the first time, this is a great place.
First of, a remaster of one of the best metal albums ever is always a good thing! The liner notes are great, reprinting the orginal album sleeve artwork and also offering an intereview with a member of the band.
The bonus offerings, are not so bonus...
If you own "The Best, The Rest, The Rare" you already have Victim of Fate.
The Starlight remix is good.
The alt version of A Little Time is not much different from the original, which I prefer.
Still trying to figure out why they included the video edit version of Halloween. Having been listening to the 13 minute original version for over 15 years, this is just horrible. I've seen the video and understand they need to cut it down about 10 minutes but it just doesn't work in that context. If you heard this without knowing it was an edited down version you'd wonder what the band was thinking.
Overall, if you have this already you may want to skip over it. But if the original album artwork and remastering are your thing, then check it out.

Helloween's best album (together with part II) now EXPANDED, containing 2 must have Bonus Tracks and Remastered; providing an improved sound quality compared to the original release of 1987.

By combining influences such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Queen, Rainbow and Queensryche together with fast double bass drumming, higher pitched and melodic vocals, fabulous twin-guitar solos and catchy riffs, Helloween achieved to lay the foundations for European power metal, as it is known today.

In Keeper Of The Seven Keys part I the band changed its sound, from the speed metal that dominated their debut album, to a much more melodic, technical and epic approach. The songs were still fast paced and heavy but contained catchy melodies, memorable choruses, outstanding vocals and evoked an uplifting feeling.

Besides the captivating music, a new charismatic vocalist named "Michael Kiske" joins the band to take this album to the skies! Influenced by Bruce Dickinson and Geoff Tate; but equipped with more emotion and charisma, 18 year old Kiske makes this album a must have for any metal and hard rock fan. (Kiske is still considered one of the best and most copied vocalists in the heavy metal genre)

The album begins with an operatic marching type intro which successfully sets the mood of the album. The intro leads nicely into the fast paced and uplifting "I'm Alive". The song carries an optimistic message and includes a memorable chorus, fast drumming, raving guitar solos and twin-guitar harmonies.

The heavy "A Little Time" comes next with another catchy chorus and an addictive guitar riff, while the melodic mid range vocals in the verses sound really emotional and warm.

The power ballad "A Tale that wasn't Right" arrives to slow things down a bit. It's strongest points are the truly emotional vocals and the wonderfully played guitar solo.

"Twilight Of The Gods" continues in the same vain as I'm Alive but is more epic, contains more intense vocals and a chorus that you'll never forget.

The heavy metal anthem and most famous track "Future World" follows next. It is performed in mid-tempo, includes one of the best twin-guitar solos of the album, funny lyrics and vocals that vary from low range to really high-pitched.

Next comes the true masterpiece of the album "Halloween"; an operatic, fast, progressive, melodic power metal hymn raving over 13 minutes (which never gets long nor tiresome). Halloween is probably one of the best metal epics ever. It contains an eerie chorus, tempo changes, varying vocals, choirs and hundreds of guitar riffs, leads and solos.

All of these songs are still considered classics and are also some of the best power metal songs ever written.

Bonus Tracks: "Victim Of Fate" and "Starlight" are two truly amazing renditions of older songs, originally from the Helloween EP, with Michael Kiske on vocals.

Even if you are not a metal fan, this album will please you or even blow you away with the mythical and uplifting atmosphere it creates and the technically proficient orchestration it achieves.

Will be loved by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Queensryche, Rainbow...fans. Just listen...you'll be amazed!

(Definitely check out Keeper Of The Seven Keys pt II!!)

When you hear the term "power metal", or more specifically "European Power Metal", Helloween has to be one of the first bands that come to mind, largely due to the impact of this particular album (and its companion piece Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2). Both albums completely reestablished both the band's sound as well as the whole idea of what power metal was all about. This is due largely to Kai Hansen adopting a more epic approach to his songwriting (as opposed to the Judas Priest style thrashers on Walls of Jericho) as well as the addition of vocalist Michael Kiske, who brought a powerful yet melodic aspect to Helloween's sound.

The way Helloween paired soaring melodies with metal aggression was inspired, and songs like "I'm Alive," "Future World" and "Halloween" essentially served as the blueprint for the new brand of power metal. I don't think the impact of the Keeper albums can be overstated. In the two decades since they were originally released, their sound has been adopted, adapted, and flat out imitated by countless bands. Without Helloween, there would be no Blind Guardian, no Rhapsody, no Edguy, at least not as we now know them.

If you're a power metal fan and for whatever reason haven't heard Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I, you need to order this album now. It truly belongs in every power metal fan's collection.

That said, why on earth has it taken 20 freaking years to get remastered versions of the Keeper albums? In an age where even the most recent bands keep reissuing their albums, we had to go way to long without a sonically improved Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I. Well, Sanctuary finally got around to the job in 2006, and they certainly did it right. In addition to digitally remastered sound (which is quite good despite what a previous reviewer would have you believe), you get four bonus tracks. The remixed/alternate/edited versions of existing songs don't add much, but adding the b-side "Victim of Fate" was a nice touch. You also get expanded liner notes by Metal Hammer scribe Dave Ling, photos, etc. plus a nifty slipcase for the disc.

This is what a remastered version of a classic album is supposed to look and sound like. If you're a Helloween fan and already own this album, it's time to replace your old version.

Absolutlely great, that how you can describe this album, the golden age of Helloween. An inspired and spiritual performance like few back then, only surpass by Keeper part 2. Helloween is even today one of the most influential metal bands , and here you see why. Imitated a thousand times their style is the backbone of most power metal today. Buy it now!

I first heard this band on a 10-song compilation cassette called THRASH METAL that my mom bought for me at K-Mart ($3.99). They're not exactly thrash, but I wasn't arguing, half because I was too young to know what the genre was, and half because the song ("I'm Alive") was freaking amazing. That feelgood power metal anthem is a bright spot on this album, but it's not the only one. Usually referred to as Helloween's best album (and miles ahead of the follow-up, Part 2), this record established the band as major players, or at least medium-level players, in the European power metal arena. In fact, some particularly rabid fans have suggested this album is the official beginning of power metal. But take that with a grain of salt.

If there's a storyline here, I'm not really getting it. Singer Michael Kiske's lyrics stay consistently in the fantasy realm, but what sticks with you much more are his Halford-esque melodic shriekings, perhaps best displayed in "A Little Time". But Helloween don't have any of the menace or malevolence of Judas Priest; their music is all medieval valor and gothic wonder. The dual soloing from guitarists Kai Hansen and Michael Weikath is stellar, and this album contains what I imagine ought to be the band's theme song, the epic-length "Halloween".

Occasionally the group's melodies are a little overwrought, such as on "Future World", whose chorus crosses the line from pompous into outright hilarious. Still, if you're going to enjoy power metal, you have to have a higher-than-normal level of patience for higher-than-normal levels of grandiosity. Later groups like Iced Earth, Hammerfall and Tad Morose have all had the same indulgences, but none of them have made a record as consistently thrilling as this one. Buy this and prepare to pretend you're riding a horse on top of a mountain, fighting a dragon.

Helloween is one of the definitive groups of the power metal movement and this 1987 album proves it! The band showed immense artistic and songwriting growth with this sophomore release. The addition of new member Michael Kiske provided the band with the strong vocalist they needed (Guitarist Hansen himself did the vocals in the band's '85 debut "Walls Of Jericho"). The rest of the band stayed the same as on the debut with the rhythm/lead guitar duo of Kai Hansen/Michael Weikath, bassist Markus Grosskopf, and drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg.

Guitarist Hansen was the band leader at this point and wrote six out of the eight original songs. "Initiation" is a dark introduction theme where the power chords are augmented by a choir-aah keyboard effect; it lasts about a minute and a half. I'm Alive" quickly follows and it's a vintage power metal composition with the fast dual bass drumming, the operatic vocals of Kiske, and the neo-classical shredding solos. The more mid-paced third cut "A Little Time" is probably the most popular song and it was written by Kiske. In the middle there's a psychedelic section with some strange sound effects and you can also hear a lot of clocks ticking at the same time before going back to the chorus without warning. "Twilight Of The Gods" is another straightforward power metal number with the usual fast staccato rhythm guitar attack. I liked the chorus with great background vocals giving off an epic feel, but the ballad "A Tale That Wasn't Right" is a gem that Weikath wrote! The lead guitar parts played by him here give off a Blackmore vibe. Kiske gives one of his best vocal performances of the album! But wait, another highlight comes now called "Future World" with an incredibly catchy chorus. Very good trade-off solos in the middle too!
"Halloween" is the epic composition that clocks at about 13:18. Amazingly, it was written by Hansen himself! As expected, it is a multi-part song with the only thing lacking is a dull moment! Some parts are quiet; others are intense while the soloing goes from very melodic to really aggressive. If I had to choose what the best part is, then I'd probably go with the chorus: Aaaahh...it's Halloween!!!!Aaaahhh...It's Halloween!!! Tonight!!! Yes indeed!!! Love that chorus!! There's also another good section with the lyric "We're calling you" with a four chord descending pattern that kind of reminds me of that last repeating chord pattern in Rainbow's version of "Still I'm Sad" from the "On Stage" LP. Finishing off the album is the short instrumental interlude "Follow The Sign" written by Hansen/Weikath with an eastern inspired solo.

Bonus Tracks:
"Victim Of Fate" is a re-recording of a tune originally sung by Hansen (now with Kiske on vocals) taken from the "Dr. Stein" EP. "Starlight" is a remix of the original now also featuring Kiske's vocals instead while the remaining two "A Little Time" and "Halloween" are less interesting since they are just edited versions of the originals.

If you are a fan of power metal, then I'd say this is a classic in that field that you should get!
Thanks for taking the time to read!
Later...

Helloween's "Keeper of the Seven Keys p. 1" is considered one of Helloween's best along with Part 2, and is often considered the birth of power metal or one of the key albums influential to the genre. Either way, this album is a real gem in metal.

Out is Kai Hansen on vocals and enter Michael Kiske while Kai remains playing guitar and a key songwriter. Michael Kiske's dynamic, powerful and soaring voice provided the prototype for power metal to follow, and his voice really shines on songs like "I'm Alive," "A Little Time," "Halloween" and the new version of "Victim of Fate."

The album kicks off after an intro to "I'm Alive" which is now a style we know as power metal - speed metal, catchy melodies, happy lyrics. It's a really feel good song as well. Other happy songs either musically, lyrically or a combo of both include the fan favorite "Future World," "Twilight of the Gods." There are a couple of slower songs here and there as well with "A Little Time" (more midpaced), and the ballad "Tale that Wasn't Right." Of course, the epic "Halloween" which is the key song on this album written by master Kai Hansen himself. Epic songs, soaring vocals, lively production, melodic-yet-wild guitar solos? This album's for you!

Overall, grab this album if you're a power metal fan, or even a metal fan in general.

Tossing my horrible review title aside, this album is a great piece of power metal mastery. I know I'm only echoing other reviewers here when I say this album is incredible. The entire band is in top form here and every song is a classic. There are no dull moments at ALL in this album. My favorite track is of course the 13-minute epic "Halloween." The double guitar tremolo melodies in this track keep me coming back for more. The remaster definitely sounds better than the previous release. If you already have that, then throw it in a dumpster or give it to a used CD store, because you won't be needing it anymore.

Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt. 1 is Helloween's greatest album and no metal fan should be without it. Be sure to check out Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2

I still find myself thrashing out to Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 (and Part 2, natch). The Seven Keys albums are two of the all-time progressive metal greats. Bands are still trying to recreate the genius of this era, but I can't seem to find anything that lives up to it. Just goes to show that you have to keep moving forward, not back.

Side note: Um, Amazon, would it be too much to correctly title albums and tracks in your music department?

Probably the first, and greatest power metal record in history.