Helloween's Reviews
The Dark Ride (Average Rating: 8.80 out of 10)
An Unexpected Surprise! (Rated this album with 10 out of 10)
Reviewed by
MetalMarc
from Grand Rapids MI USA
I have not thought a lot about Helloween since the keepers albums in the eighties. I liked them a lot back then but was not fond of all the cheesy Helloween copycat bands out nowadays. There is something to be said for the era in which a style is played and for originality. But then I read several good reviews on the new album claiming the new Helloween was more staightforward, heavy, and modern sounding. I decided to check it out and am very glad I did. This album is indeed very heavy and the production is great. There is a nice thick bottom end guitar tone and a dark sinister atmosphere about the music. On to the songs I will grade each one according to my personal taste.Mr Torture: B+
Nice start with a less serious sort of Dr Stein feel updated for 2000. Really good and catchy song. All Over Nations: D
This song represents what I dislike about Helloween. A rather cheesy metal anthem type song. Escalation 666: C
A very dark atmospheric song. Some nice slow groove riffs but overall kind of a boring song. Mirror Mirror: A
This is a great dark bone crusher. Moves along at a nice methodical pace with heavy riffs, dark ringing notes, and a catchy sinister chourus. If I Could Fly: B
Good solid power ballad. Salvation: D
See All Over Nations The Departed (Sun is Going Down): A
Clever octave riff creates a groovey dark atmosphere which leads into a wicked and super heavy pre-chorus and then a superb chorus that is very catchy. Well written song! Live for Your Pain: A
Back to Back killer songs. Live for your pain has some awesome down tuned guitar with again an spectacular pre-chorus and a very catchy chorus with great interplay beetween the lead and backing vocals. We Damn the Night: C+
Another anthemic type song only this time the chorus is a little better than aforementioned songs and the verse parts are real stong and heavy. Tolerable and pretty good. Immortal: A-
This power ballad really grows on you. It sounds better and better evertime I listen to it. The Dark Ride: A-
Perfect way to end the album. This epic song reminds of the song keeper of the seven keys. It is over 8 minutes long but never gets boring and there is great guitar work displayed all over this song. I really like the new direction Helloween has taken. The heavy dark approach shows the maturity of the band and I hope it continues. I can't wait for the new one. I guess now I better check out Better than Raw.
Buy this album on Amazon at $15.98
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