So let's say from the outset that Helloween have succeeded in continuing their excellence in releasing yet another powerful album. What is immediately obvious is the pushing forward of the keyboards in the mix in all songs, even more so than for instance Rabbit Don't Come Easy and Gambling With The Devil. While it came as quite a surprise initially, once you are used to it being there so prominantly again you can accept it. After all, the power metal genre relies on keyboards so much, that it shouldn't be a surprise that one of the godfathers of the genre should fall back on one of its key elements (no pun intended).
Everything works here. Dani Loble's drumming is superb, even scintillating in places. With some high profile drummers in the world tinkering with their artform (and not in a good way) it is refreshing to hear a drummer who may not be one of the bigger names outside of Europe, but plays superb breaks and rolls and has a great sound out of his kit. Markus Grosskopf is magnificent on bass again, while guitarists Weikath and Gerstner are both brilliant. Throw in Andi Deris and his still awesome vocals and everything is still working in Helloweenworld.
I love the way the album starts, with "Where the Sinners Go", the anthemic "Are You Metal?" and "Who is Mr Madman?". Other fave songs for me include "World of Fantasy" and "Far in the Future".
While there is still a couple of dalliances with slower songs, it is most definitely the faster and heavier songs that stand apart on the album, and also make the album's mark.
In regards to recent releases, 7 Sinners doesn't quite match up to The Dark Ride or Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy but I think does stack up better than Rabbit Don't Come Easy and Gambling With The Devil. What is most pleasing is that it proves that Helloween are not a fading force, and that they still have plenty to offer the world of metal.
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