My doubt is if this review is a legit one (I don't know the site and it seems a bit ahead of time). Anyway, from google translator:
On June 18, the MOST EXPECTED new, eponymous HELLOWEEN album is released, bearing their title. Rock Hard, was present at an exclusive online event with selected journalists from around the world, who listened to the band's new album "with" Michael Weikath, Andi Deris, Markus Grosskopf and Sascha Gerstner and we had opportunity to talk to them for two whole hours after listening to the album, to learn as much detail as possible. And not only that, a little later, we had the opportunity to do a video interview with Andi Deris, now, one of the singers of the band, where we talked for more than half an hour and this interview, you can see it in a few days at rockhard.gr
But let's leave the hows and the whys. Here we had the opportunity to listen to the new album of the reconnected HELLOWEEN, what do we say now? Anyone who does not know that Kiske, Hansen are back in shape, let's welcome him into the real world and celebrate the end of the cave age. For the rest, let's do a track by track recording of the songs on the album, which are 12 (of which an introduction to "Skyfall", which is the first single).
"Out for the glory" (7:19) (Weikath)
It is important to list the composer next to each piece, since the character that each leaves, is very special. "Helloween" starts with a song we would all be waiting for. A 7-minute composition by Michael Weikath, with an intro that reminded me of South "South of heaven" !!! Okay, until then of course, do not go crazy! Uptempo song, with melodies that bring to mind "Eagle fly free", but do not go to anything reminiscent of the past. The sound on the guitars is impressive, throughout the album, the production gives a tremendous volume and the overall result clearly flatters the "hand" of Charlie Bauerfeind… Much Michael Kiske, as we would expect, with a bit of Kai Hansen who sings for… "Iron minions" !!! The more you listen to it, the better it looks to you.
"Fear of the fallen" (5:39) (Deris)
This song, we start an audio introduction and Andi Deris on the vocals, but in the chorus he sings a duet with Kiske. The melodic lines are classic Deris, with the gradual ascents, uptempo and that, with points that I would say bring to "Pumpkins united". Good song, it could be on any other HELLOWEEN record for the last 15 years.
"Best time" (3:36) (Gerstner / Deris)
First of all, I must say that it is the only song on the album that has two composers and is the shortest in duration. Made for a hit, it will definitely become a video clip, since its rhythm is… "I want out". Or if you want "Exceptional" (UNISONIC), since there is the joint presence of Kiske / Hansen there as well. Rhythmic, midtempo, I dare say that I would have preferred not to have Hansen's second vocals in the chorus (I might as well be bothered by the cheesy lyrics, I haven't finished yet, with one listen).
"Mass pollution" (4:15) (Deris)
Deris' performance is very nice, dynamic, with various effects on his voice. The constant repetition of "go, go, go" and the refrain "Ma-ss po-llu-tion" made me believe for a moment that I was listening to "Higher than the sky" (sky sky) by RAGE. I think it will sound even better in a concert environment, because it has a lot of sing along, along with the classic metal riffing. Very classic, but with such a modern sound, it could even be in "Better than raw"…
"Angels" (4:42) (Gerstner)
It starts impressively, with Kiske singing on bass and keyboards. A characteristic riff of Sascha Gerstner enters, a promising bridge and where you say that the song will take off, a boiling chorus enters, which cuts the speed, changes the scale of the song and alienates you. Ή let's say more specifically, it alienates me… The very dynamic riff of the song and the very successful sound from Hammond in places go awry.
"Rise without chains" (4:56) (Deris)
Another song by Andi Deris, another song that could have been released on any HELLOWEEN album in the last 15 years and entered the "good" category. Uptempo and that, but after the typical Deris bridge, it loses somewhere and leaves you once again with the feeling of dissatisfaction…
“Indestructible” (4:43) (Grosskopf)
Heavy, harsh sound in the unique song signed by Markus Grosskopf, Midtempo, compact, nice bridge, nice chorus, nice song, favorite second vocals and that made me remember UNISONIC somewhere. Plus the very nice guitar solo.
Robot King (7:08) (Weikath)
It starts with a fucking scream from Kai Hansen and you say "it can't, it will go well". And so it is. A very interesting composition by Weikath, who in all the songs he has written for "Helloween", has avoided writing "typically" (I think he left this role for Deris). It does not even bother, the first refrain to το show it in 3 minutes !!! In the refrain that the vocals are in God. But when you have Kiske / Deris / Hansen, you can write whatever you like and you know that the right one will be found, no matter what. Classic metal, with speed payments, with many and interesting changes, kept my interest undiminished. On the vocals we have alternations between Deris and Kiske.
"Cyanide" (3:29) (Deris)
Once again, I was expecting something better in the chorus, apart from the very interesting speedy excellent riff. But, guys, what a fucking sound that is on guitars !!! We are talking that it raises the level far.
"Down in the dumps" (6:01) (Weikath)
He could write in ouia: "You see Weikath, it's good". Highly worked composition, keeps your interest undiminished. You hear SAVATAGE, you hear JUDAS PRIEST, Kiske in the beginning, Kai Hansen on the bridge. Let's get serious now, do we want a lot more than our heavy metal when HELLOWEEN is playing it?
"Orbit" (1:05) (Hansen)
Instrumental. Acts as an introduction to "Skyfall". If we did not see the duration, we would fish, because it is the first composition of the album that has the signature of kai Hansen…
"Skyfall" (12:11) (Hansen)
Here we are!!! What did you write, black dog !!! A song, 12 minutes duration Ί Ίioma… 12 minutes shudder. Kai's HELLOWEEN, with the PRIEST and ACCEPT we like, the galloping guitar theme, constant changes, amazing cut with acoustic guitars, guitar solos coming to you from everywhere without warning, vocals to God. CHAOS. What else can I say, when we talk about a song that in the ranking of HELLOWEEN's career, when after years they will have retired, will be in a very high position χι Not accidentally, first single, even though it is 12 minutes!
These are my first impressions of the album. I remind you that I listened to him ONLY once, like all the other "accomplices". I listened to an album, where the conversation for over 2 hours with HELLOWEEN, made me realize several things about the logic they had writing this album and answer many questions. Even more enlightening, was Andi Deris in the interview we did and you will read it at the end of the month, as we will have many more things, until the album comes out.
Is the album that HELLOWEEN fans would expect with the return of Kiske and Hansen? If you thought that they would release "Keeper… 4", you will probably find many flaws. On a personal level, I found that some of Deris' compositions (which may be many in total, but short in duration), I might have expected better, I would definitely like to listen to more of Hansen's compositions, ballad did not come out in the style they wanted they left it out, Weikath is still a guarantee since all three of his songs, took care to keep my attention at a very high level.
Plus, the great production, but also the fact that they didn't sell "Keepers και" and pumpkins until the early 90s, but the sound is solid, dark (to the point that the closest to the album, I would dare say is "The dark ride"), very uptempo with restrained "happy, happy", "hilarious" songs but also a very good flow. I'm absolutely sure that the more I listen to it, the more I will like it. Do not forget to mention the amazing cover of Eliran Kantor. No pumpkins, but with many references to previous records. Work of art. You buy a copy on vinyl, just to put it as a painting in the room!
Here are a few for "Helloween". More, in the interview we did with Andi Deris (one of the few he gave after the pre-hearing and the press conference) and so on.