Category:
Metal

Try if you like:
Annihilator, Iced Earth, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Within Temptation

Wow, who would have thought memories would come flooding back when reviewing a new Helloween album. The self-titled debut album was such a great album that it still stands as one of my favorite 80's metal LPs. But I do have to admit, after the Keeper Of The Seven Keys albums I lost touch with the band. I knew they were still out there but completely lost interest in them. 

Time goes by and I was curious when their new album, Gambling With The Devil. And although there has been line-up changes over the years, the same feeling came across me when I first listen to this album. It was almost as if time had stood still. You know people who are into bands like Within Temptation would like Helloween.

"The Saints" was a little much for me sounding too much like a soccer chant rather than a metal song. While not bad, I wouldn't choose to listen to this one very often. "As Long As I Fall" comes across a little wimpy as well. But they follow this up with a blistering "Paint A New World". I found about half of the songs on this album to be totally entertaining. "The Bells of the 7 Hells" was one of these. I couldn't even make it through "Fallen To Pieces". 

Helloween is not an essential act today but neither are Limp Bizkit or Nickelback for that matter. It's all relative to one's taste. If you have dabbled with Helloween in the past it is very interesting to revisit those memories with Gambling With The Devil. Power Metal lives on in bands like Helloween, and yes, it is big in Japan.