Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II
Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II places big melodies firmly at the centre. Helloween retain speed and precise guitar work while leaving Michael Kiske plenty of room above the instruments. His high, theatrical voice defines much of the character. The strongest songs connect that enthusiasm to riffs and choruses that are immediately memorable.
Eagle Fly Free makes the combination convincing. Fast drums support a large, uplifting chorus, while the guitars provide enough movement to keep the song forceful. Kiske uses his range fully. It is an emphatic style, but the performance's energy carries it well.
Dr. Stein takes a lighter approach. Its humour and bouncy rhythm introduce a different colour without losing the familiar guitar sound. It is one of the clearest examples of the band's ability to write a catchy song that is easy to follow.
I Want Out is similarly direct. A strong guitar opening leads towards a chorus that needs little explanation. Instrumental skill serves the structure here. March of Time also benefits from an effective riff and a chorus with plenty of drive and conviction.
The longer ambition is less convincing. The title track runs beyond thirteen minutes and contains strong individual moments, but its changes do not always make a coherent whole. The vocals can also demand more attention than a song needs at their most emphatic. The album is therefore less consistent than its strongest individual songs might suggest.
There is still plenty to enjoy. The guitars, precise drums and Kiske's range give the melodies real force. This record works best when Helloween gather their abilities around a clear song. At those moments, the enthusiasm is the point rather than an extra decoration, and the good hooks justify the scale of the performance.
