This month has been a blast so far! Earlier in the month we looked at a classic album from Iron Maiden and it’s impact on Power Metal’s distinct vocal style, and in the middle we heard the soaring guitar work of Yngwie Malmsteen and how it shaped how guitarists of Power Metal would play. Today, we finally take a look at the sword & sorcery behind Power Metal’s image & reputation. The bread & butter, as it were. We’ve gone to England & Sweden, so now it’s about time to head into Germany, where many future Power Metal bands would eventually form, but it was one band that many metal historians claimed were the de-facto group that formed the sub-genre’s fantasy image. That band.....is none other than Helloween.
Now, you probably giggled a little when you read that name, but I insure you they are no joke! As one guy on Metal Evolution’s episode on Power Metal described Helloween, they were Germany’s answer to Iron Maiden, and I can certainly see why. They had the intensity of Yngwie and the range of Bruce Dickenson, but it’s the stuffing inside of their songs that really gave this sub-genre is delicious flavor. So join me will you, as we take a look at both entries in the Keeper Of The Seven Keys duo, and see just what they offered. Let the review begin!
Background
After the success of their first release in 1985, Kai Hansen stepped down as lead vocalist for Helloween (Although he continued to play guitar on subsequent releases), and was replaced by 18-year old Michael Kiske, formerly from the Hamburg band Ill Prophecy. With the new lineup fully formed, the band went to record labels Noise International and RCA to propose an idea of a double LP to show off this new form of the band. Both group shot down the idea, and insisted that both parts of the double LP be released separately. So that’s exactly what happened: on May the 23rd of 1987 Keeper of the Seven Keys - Part 1 was released, and Keeper of the Seven Keys - Part 2 in August of 1988. Both releases were monumental in Power Metal’s history, but I’ll get to that shortly. The Keeper of the Seven Keys duo managed to obtain a surprising amount of success not just in their native Germany, but world wide as well. In their home country, Part 1 got to number 15 on the German Album Charts, while Part 2 managed to go even higher and reach number 5 on the German Album Charts. Over in Sweden it was 42 & 7, the Swiss had them at 18 & 6, and the U.S. had both records at 104 & 108.
I should note that both Keeper of the Seven Keys CDs obtained a surprising amount of success over in Japan (In addition to what I mentioned above). Part 1 got to number 50 on Japan’s Albums Chart, while Part 2 got to number 27, a considerably higher spot. Just a weird little fact I thought you might enjoy.
Basic Description
Cheese. Pure.....unadulterated.....cheese!
If a modern Power Metal fan thinks the modern day form of the sub-genre is goofy, they’re in for a rude awakening when they listen to both of these albums. Though Powerslave & Odyssey could be goofy, they were also intense. With the Keeper of the Seven Keys albums? You will be wondering if you’ve just got out of a 12-hour marathon of Dungeons & Dragons, complete in cosplay! Though the fantasy theme has always ran strong in Power Metal, it was it’s earliest days where it’s presence was perhaps the strongest. It was apparent from the first note of each record that Helloween knew what they were doing: creating powerful metal music, but with a fantasy edge that gave things more of a fantastical/epic feel. On top of that, the cheese that was made from these two albums has managed to age incredibly well since their releases back in the late 80s, enough to the point where they sound remarkable fresh even in 2017! That factor makes both albums living relics of the past, acting as portals to Power Metal’s past, and to what Power Metal would become in the future.
Best Track
On Part 1, you simply gotta give it up to Halloween. Though I prefer the shorter edited version (The original goes on for 13-something minutes), one simply can’t deny the power that both version. The band doesn’t let up for even a second as the song goes on, and Michael Kiske’s vocal performance is incredible. As much as Bruce Dickenson helped create the template for Power Metal vocals going forward, Kiske added more onto the foundation that his British counterpart established. The instrumentation is crisp, and the atmosphere is an equal mix of hokey & badass. Definitely a song you shouldn’t skip!
Halloween (Original)
Halloween (Edit)
With Part 2, it’s a little more difficult to pick out. The fantasy-style subject matter has always been a little stronger on this release (More on this in a sec), and as such comes across as more Power Metal in approach. That being said, I’m definitely a big fan of the middle track, Dr. Stein. It’s a little strange to use the story of Frankenstein as the subject of a Power Metal song (The story is more Gothic in flavor than Power), but leave it up to Helloween to give it that fantasy spin. The song has a great pace, never going to fast or slow, and hitting that middle sweet spot perfectly. Coupled with Michael Kiske’s excellent singing voice, and you got a classic 80s hit!
Dr. Stein
Worst Track
Let me state this: Keeper Of The Seven Keys part 1 & 2 rightfully deserve the praise they got back in the day, as well as the praise they still receive today. Both records were crafted with such care it’s honestly hard to actually pick out something to criticize. Apart from the massive cheese factor that some might not like, the only fault I could find would be with Part 1. As strong as the fantasy themes are on the album, Helloween doesn’t quite harness said themes to their full potential. They definitely use them, but they seem to be a little cautious about it when compared to Part 2.
Other
If you’re interesting in listening to both Keeper of the Seven Keys albums, check out the links below:
Keeper Of The Seven Keys (Part 1)
Keeper Of The Seven Keys (Part 2)
Overall Impression & Rating
If Powerslave was the mind, and Odyssey was the body, then it’s save to assume that both Keeper Of The Seven Keys albums are the soul of Power Metal. Without the soaring fantasy flavor, the genre could have very well died right when it started! Luckily, Helloween knew what they were doing, and crafted fantasy epics of such an enduring scale they still stand tall among the modern masters of Power Metal. You really can’t get a full picture of what the sub-genre was like until you listened to these bad boys. Regardless, find these albums, and give them a go!
Keeper Of The Seven Keys (Part 1) gets a 8.5 to 9 out of 10.
Keeper Of The Seven Keys (Part 2) gets a 9.5 out of 10.
So that concludes part 1 of Power Metal Pandemonium. The origins of this mighty sub-genre are certainly something to celebrate, and these bands still happen to be going strong today. Now, just because it was guys that helped create Power Metal, doesn’t mean that women didn’t have a hand in it. In fact, the fairer sex has a surprisingly strong presence within the sub-genre, so join me next month for part 2 of Power Metal Pandemonium, when we’ll look at power metal bands where the ladies are in control. Until then, make sure you got all of your keys on your keychain.
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