Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II
Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II
| 1.Invitation 2.Eagle Fly Free 3.You Always Walk Alone 4.Rise And Fall 5.Dr. Stein 6.We Got The Right 7.Save Us 8.March Of Time 9.I Want Out 10.Keeper Of The Seven Keys |
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| Hot on the heels of their previous work, the band managed to
release another album in less than a year. Hailed by many as the greatest album of all
time, I wouldn't place the album on such a high pedestal; however, truth be it, it's still
a great album, despite the flaws. What the album lacks is what the previous two had -
great consistency. There are actually 3 fillers here, and they really deserve their name.
Idiotic lyrics for one (not to mention the very UNcool music) - alllow me to produce a
sample: "...the king of Los Angeles bought himself a Teddy Bear, and the Queen became
shameless she did it with a chair..." Eh heheheh (nervous laughter)...did WHAT with
the chair, might I ask??? And...actually speaking of lyrics, I should mention that the lyrics don't really measure up on the entire album! Dr. Stein, one of the stronger tracks has some drivel about, let's see...a Baron Frankenstein type who clones dead bodies into rock musicians and politicians (???), Save Us, one of the best tracks on the album has that loathsome semi-Christian content, however it doesn't disturb me AS much as something like this normally would, because these are basically anti-war lyrics - a very positive message. Now, the truly great stuff on the album...Well, for one, the opener Eagle Fly Free (and it's orchestral intro, Invitation) totally kicks ass, with it's quick and melodic pace. What's truly great about the song is that every member has a solo. Lyrically, it's about politics (how governments always try to beat each other in something, which usually results in war, and how people should be like the mighty eagle, who doesn't give a shit about what's illegal...) The aforementioned Save Us is a total blazer with a great chorus; March of Time is another fast and melodic classic, about how time passes us by if we don't take advantage of the time we have (our lifetime(s); & I Want Out is a basic 80's approach to the anti-system ideal with the catchy midtempo verse and soaring chorus. The ending song, a 13:38 minute epic is an absolute marvel! The fantasy tinged story is what Helloween should have employed in more songs. Basically, in a medeival world of Might and Magic, evil has taken over the land, and the only one who can stop this spreading evil is an old warrior who prepares to undertake what could be, and is his last quest. Truly superb stuff, the song just has tons of different sections, like the beautiful acoustic start, the bass driven verse, the slow and melodic chorus, all the blazing solos, and the best part - when the warrior (the Keeper) finally encounters the devil. Great stuff, this even beats "Halloween" (from the previous album) in terms of quality!
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