After several name changes and recruiting band members it was finally decided that the German power metal group would be named Helloween. Many member changes followed including Michael Kiske who was replaced by Andi Deris.
Since the start they have released a mighty 16 albums, shedloads of singles as well as live albums and split ep’s. Now in 2015 they are on their 17th Album release, ‘My God Given Right’
An old school riff starts the first track ‘Heroes’. Then in comes the vocal of Andi Deris. If a little cheesier than I remember from the last album? Nevertheless, this track seems a little rushed and mixed up, not a great start!
Luckily, I l quite like the second track ‘Battle’s Won’ feeling much between old Guns ‘N’ Roses and Judas Priest Bar the high pitched wails. Then there’s a more recent feel of even the likes of Sabaton mixed in there. However, I’m still waiting for one of those catchy as hell chorus lines that Helloween are famous for. Unfortunately, the guitar solo part failed to deliver for me, it felt like a filler for the singer to go for a pee? Reapply his makeup? It felt unnecessary being there.
The titled track ‘My God Given Right’ is a catchy little number, the guitar riffs are crunchy and groovy, the vocals are on point and the solo on this is much better and uplifting (and shorter) rather than the previous clock watching dull – when will it ever end solo.
‘Lost in America’ is an ok track; it has some bits and bobs in there that would remind you of some of their older stuff. On the other hand, the whole track sounds the same, there’s not really any breaks in it and it just seems too easy.. ‘Russian Roule’ Again, not much on offer apart from the vocals. But of course we already knew this guy could sing.
Finally, ‘The Swing of a Fallen World’ kicks me in the face with those deep and dirty riffs… which I can’t get enough of. The screams and shouting shows some dark and extra talent from Andi and the solo, yes! It’s fantastic. And I’ll just forget the fact they made it go faster toward the end, that was a bit odd, but the rest of it! There’s still hope! As if by magic another track ‘Like Everybody Else’ comes on and impresses me The beautiful guitars, the serious vocals and the keyboard effects on this are superb. I’m even Googling the lyrics to sing along to this one.
And yes, I may have skipped a few tracks after listening to them, only because I wanted to end this review on a high, (they weren’t brilliant)… but the finale ‘ You, Still of War’ is another dark (ish) addition with some ball grabbing man-riffs yet still maintaining that happy go luckily Helloween we all know and love, tough job to get dark and cheery in one track but they’ve done it.
I have to say I’m a little gutted. I loved this band. I saw them at Bloodstock a few years ago.. Andi decked out in a sparkly waistcoat, listening to him singing the classics but this doesn’t seem the same.
(4/10 – I was going to say 2/10 but the last couple of tracks changed my mind.Charlene Rance)
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