METAL JUKEBOX

If someone had told me a few months ago, prior to this album's announcement, that Helloween's next release would be one totally made up of cover songs from the 60s and 70s, I would automatically say they had completely lost all sanity. What could possibly be more crazier than a classic power-European speed metal band cranking out a covers album that includes disco songs? Not much, but staring at "Metal Jukebox" in front of me, I guess the band members thought it was a unique idea. Even after listening to it for a few days, I still don't know what to think about it. A few other bands have subjected us to cover albums lately to break up the need for another full length album and keep the band in everyone's mind without actually having to write new material. I believe we can credit Tony Harnell and Morning Wood with this trend, with the self titled release, which featured more cover versions than new material. Then Yngwie Malmsteen did "Inspirations" and Joe Lynn Turner released not one but two albums filled to the brim with nothing but covers and ironically titled "Undercover I and II" and its just been an epidemic since then. The avalanche of tribute albums hitting the metal market has also fueled this trend, and although its one I hope they keep up, it still doesn't alter my opinion of "Metal Jukebox". The performance by the band is very nice, its hard to find fault in Andi Deris's invitingly different and expressive vocal style, and all the axework is up to par with their previous material.

But the songs.. Never have I ever been too excited over 60 and 70s rock music, and with Helloween doing it, its at least... different. Most of these songs, I have to admit, I have never heard. But the highlights are the first track, "He's A Woman, She's A Man" by the Scorpions, which is a pretty furious little rocker, and their metalized version of "Lay All Your Love On Me", originally recorded by the Swedish disco sensation, ABBA. "Space Oddity" sounds remarkably alot like Saigon Kick's version on "Water". Just drop Andi Deris into that song, and you'd have the same thing, although Andi's vocals are clearer than the ones found on the Saigon cover. "Hocus Pocus" isn't bad, and "Rat Bat Blue" has always been one of my favorite Deep Purple songs. Even the title reeks a bit of weirdness, and Helloween hammer this one perfectly, its almost as good, or perhaps even better than the original!