(Rated this album with 10 out of 10) Reviewed by
oldancestor
from New Jersey
Helloween shows once again why they are the quintessential European metal band. By the time all of the copy bands manage to mimic their most recent change in style, they evolve again and take yet another path. This time they've gone dark and gritty, yet still manage to maintain the trademark melodies and arrangements that made them famous. Let the Michael Kiske comparisons end. Andi Deris handles this style much better than his predecessor would have been able to. The guitars and bass are impeccable as usual, and Uli Kusch proves once more that he is the most creative metal drummer around. There is a lot of variety on this album (which is more than can be said for most bands). Escalation 666 is plodding and grungy; If I Could Fly is haunting; All Over the Nations is a throwback to the Keepers days.. yet the band manages to make it all sound like classic Helloween. Have I convinced you yet? Buy it!
