Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1

Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1

Track Listings

1. Initiation

2. I'm Alive

3. Little Time

4. Twilight of the Gods

5. Tale That Wasn't Right

6. Future World

7. Halloween

8. Follow the Sign

Tracks:

Initiation
I'm Alive
A Little Time
Twilight Of The Gods
A Tale That Wasn't Right
Future World
Halloween
Follow The Sign
Victim Of Fate (Single B-Side)
Starlight (Remix)
A Little Time (Alternative Version)
Halloween (Video Edit)

Customer Reviews:

The beginning of a new sound in metal! + Bonus Tracks.......2007-07-19

Helloween's best album (together with part II) NOW EXPANDED, containing 3 mast-have Bonus Tracks and Remastered, providing an improved sound quality to the original relish of 1987.
The musical influences in this album range from Iron Maiden (Number Of The Beast - Powerslave era) to Queen, Rainbow and Queensryche which are fused together in a magnificent way and are not in any way a copy of the certain influence.

This band and especially Kai Hansen had an extraordinary talent and imagination to write most of the songs in the album. By combining the influences mentioned above together with very fast drumming, high pitched vocals, melodic and technical riffs with fabulous twin-guitar solos, Helloween achieved to lay the foundations for Power/Speed metal, as it is known today.

The album begins with an operatic marching type intro which sets successfully the mood of the album. The intro leads nicely into the fast paced "I'm Alive", which carries an optimistic message and includes a memorable chorus, fast drumming, raving guitar solos and twin-guitar reefs. The heavy "A Little Time" comes next with another catchy chorus and sound effects, while the vocals range from emotional low tone ones to high pitched screams. Onwards comes the metal ballad "A Tale that wasn't Right" to slow things down a bit, whose strongest points are the truly emotional vocals and the wonderfully played guitar solo. "Twilight Of The Gods" continues in the same vain as 'I'm Alive' but contains more thought-out lyrics, better vocals and a chorus that you'll never forget. "Future World" follows, which is the most famous of the tracks, a heavy metal anthem, played in mid-tempo, comprising of one of the best twin-guitar solos of the album and vocals varying from low tempo to really high-pitched. Next comes the true masterpiece of the album "Halloween", an operatic-fast-progressive-emotional power metal hymn raving over 13 minutes (which never gets long nor tiresome). All of those songs are still considered classics and for sure are some of the best and most epic power metal songs ever written (together with Eagle Fly Free, pt II).

But except the captivating music, a new charismatic vocalist that no one had hared of before, "Michael Kiske", joins the band to take this album to the skies! Influenced by Bruce Dickinson, Klaus Meine and Jeoff Tate but equipped with much more emotion and range, especially in the high pitched vocal lines, 18 year old Kiske makes this album a MUST HAVE for any metal and hard rock fan. (M.Kiske is still considered one of the best vocalists in the heavy metal genre)

Even if you are not a metal fan, this album will please you or even blow you away with the mythical and uplifting atmosphere it creates and the technically perfect orchestration it achieves. (Definitely check out Keeper Of The Seven Keys pt II!!)

Bonus Tracks: Victim Of Fate and Starlight are songs taken from the first Helloween EP remixed with Michael Kiske on vocals - two trully amazing reditions.

Will be loved by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Queensryche, Rainbow...fans.
Just listen...you'll be amazed!

This is wonderful.......2007-02-14

Very positive and good statements about life and living."We all live in happiness ouR world is full of Joy.We say the word 'tommorrow' without fear.The feeling of togetherness is alwAys aT our side.We love our life and we know we will stay." FroM Future World. I memorIzed (and where's Sarolta?)thAt.It helped me through somE hard timeS.Hard driving,joyous guitars and warm spirited vocalS.

Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt. 1.......2007-01-06

One of Helloween's greatest works, the only reason it gets the 4 rating is because in my mind Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt.2 will always be the best.

Classic Power Metal...Revisited.......2006-10-25

When you hear the term "power metal", or more specifically "European Power Metal", Helloween has to be one of the first bands that come to mind, largely due to the impact of this particular album (and its companion piece Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II). Both albums completely reestablished both the band's sound as well as the whole idea of what power metal was all about. This is due largely to Kai Hansen adopting a more epic approach to his songwriting (as opposed to the Judas Priest style thrashers on Walls of Jericho) as well as the addition of vocalist Michael Kiske, who brought a powerful yet melodic aspect to Helloween's sound.

I don't think the impact of the Keeper albums can be overstated. In the 2 decades since they were originally released, their sound has been adopted, adapted, and flat out imitated by countless bands. Without Helloween, there would be no Blind Guardian, no Rhapsody, no Edguy, at least not as we now know them.

That said, why on earth has it taken 20 freaking years to get remastered versions of the Keeper albums? In an age where even the most recent bands keep reissuing their albums, we had to go way to long without a sonically improved Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I. Well, Sanctuary finally got around to the job earlier this year, and they certainly did it right. In addition to digitally remastered sound (which is quite good despite what a previous reviewer would have you believe), you get 4 bonus tracks. The remixed/alternate/edited versions of existing songs don't add much, but adding the b-side Victim of Fate was a nice touch. You also get expanded liner notes, photos, etc. plus a nifty slipcase for the disc.

This is what a remastered version of a classic album is supposed to look and sound like. If you're already a Helloween fan, it's time to replace your old version. If you're a power metal fan and for whatever reason haven't heard Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I, you need to order this album now. It truly belongs in every power metal fan's collection.

5 for the music and maybe 3 for the non remastering!.......2006-10-11

This album was simply awesome when it was release. It was new and refreshing sounding compared to what was mostly out at that time.

Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part I has it all. You get the riff heavy HELLOWEEN, you get the ballad A Tale That Wasn't Right and in between you get Future World. The centerpiece though is the tune Halloween. This fourteen minute epic was their Rime of the Ancient Mariner in many ways. Defiantly long and meandering, the tune Halloween was a career making all you can eat buffet of riffs. Yup this was ground breaking stuff for these guys.

The bonus material found on here is average at best. The updated booklet is fun with lyrics and other stuff relating to the band which is very cool. The bonus music is a b-side, a single edit and some truly bad edited/shortened versions of the original tunes. The record company in their infinite wisdom back then decided that these guys needed more air play and decided to shorten some of these tunes to achieve this goal? Apparently this was done to give the band more exposure to the masses. Well they must have cut/edited out half of the songs parts. One listen to these edited for radio classic's will have you weeping as they have managed to totally kill the overall vibe of these songs.

I also found that this remaster doesn't sound as good as I had hoped it would? For the most part it doesn't stand out as far as being a major improvement over the original? It's louder and the bass is certainly more present in the overall mix now, which certainly is a bonus overall, however it still sounds to compressed. I was hoping this new remastered version would finally open up the sound and let the true sonic beauty of this classic shine through. Well in the end it really doesn't do that which is unfortunate.

Is it worth picking up you ask? Absolutely!! The tunes still kick butt and that's really all you need to know.

Average customer rating:

Overrated Dio knockoffs
Started Power Metal
A Magical Album..............somewhere between 4 & 5 stars
Sounds NOTHING like Maiden.
Good...BUT

Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1
Helloween
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Thrash & Speed Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Walls of Jericho
Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy
Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2
Glory to the Brave
Metal Church

ASIN: B000002W9P
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Initiation
I'm Alive
A Little Time
Twilight Of The Gods
A Tale That Wasn't Right
Future World
Halloween
Follow The Sign

Amazon.com

For a band that started out as an unabashed Iron Maiden rip-off, Helloween had matured considerably by the time it released its epic concept album Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt. 1. It ranks as a milestone in the band's career, and sadly one that would never be re-approached. Picture the Yes album Tales of Topographic Oceans, remove the melody and add a lot more distortion. Throw in about 150 twiddly dual-guitar solos and just as many gonad-crushing howls and you've basically unlocked the secret of Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt. 1. As reminiscent of Spinal Tap as the album may be, Helloween's ambition and vigor in an era of stagnancy is admirable and enjoyable. --Jon Wiederhorn

Customer Reviews:

Overrated Dio knockoffs.......2006-09-04

Lets put it this way, would you rather eat a greasy Big Mac, or a filet mignon? Thats how people should feel when deciding this over Iron Maiden.

Screw this garbage, listen to Blind Guardian instead. They make this band look like N' Sync with guitars.

P.S Props to Snively

Started Power Metal.......2006-07-13

Alright, first of all, this album is not meant to resemble Iron Maiden at all...that may be true for Walls of Jericho, but this blended the heavy metal of Kai Hansen with the pop-rock of Michael Kiske, and really started the power metal movement (if I can call it a movement).

The album is entertaining from beginning to end. The songwriting is great, twilight of the gods, A little Time, and A Tale That Wasn't Right are my personal favorites. Kiske's voice is superb, and the solo's are very nice as well.

The only problem I see with it the production. Maybe thats because I don't listen to a lot of music before the 90's besides Iron Maiden, because the guitar is more of a background in this, i'm used to a more 'powerful' guitar sound. But its great, I'd highly recommend this album not just because its great, but its also a part of metal history :)

A Magical Album..............somewhere between 4 & 5 stars.......2006-04-19

I first heard of Helloween through some compliation back in 1988. The track 'A little time' was in this compliation and I was instantly drawn to it. I went out a picked this album up and was blown away. At first it seemed that I bought into the thought that these german gents were trying to sound like Iron Maiden with no originality. I'm sure many were turned off by this. But.........there was something about this band. Something that set them apart. These guys were producing something heavy, melodic and positive all wrapped up into a concept album. With the dual guitar attack of Hansen and Weikath, the beautiful bass lines from Grosskopf and the solid double kicking from Schwichtenberg all in place the addition of Kiske on top as the new vocalist set the band on a trip to take on the world. Every song is wonderfully put together and makes you feel happy to be alive. Ofcourse the standout track on the album is the 13 minute epic 'Halloween' which has so many changes it will make your head spin. All of the other tracks are soild as well with many interesting arrangements.
The rest of this review is for the expanded UK edition which I highly recommend. Having the original is great but this remastered edition clearly rocks. Everything has come to life from the old recording sessions and everything sounds so incredible. Along with that there are extra tracks here for the hardcore fans of the band. There are remakes of two songs 'Victim Of Fate' and 'Starlight' from the 'Walls Of Jericho' album redone and sung by Kiske which are amazing. An edited version of 'Halloween' which is about half as long as the original and an alternate version of 'A Little Time'. Whether you are new to the band or an old fan such as myself this expanded edition is the way to go. Hands down worth the extra $$$ for the import. Buy it for the sound,for the extra tracks and for the booklet filled with pics and notes about the recording sessions.
Have you made your choice?

Sounds NOTHING like Maiden........2006-04-17

The 2nd Helloween album, "Keeper of the Seven Keys", was where the band found it's voice and became one of the most important albums in metal, wheather people will admit it or not. More bands exist today because of this thing.

Despite what most people say, Helloween does NOT sound like Iron Maiden in anyway, shape or form.

Helloween plays at about 4 times the speed that Maiden does. They don't take themselves seriously like Maiden (overly) does. They have a truly distinct sound and playing style. They also don't put out the same album a la AC/DC style for 20 years like Maiden has, they have evolved as musicians and songwritters over the years. Oh yeah, also, since when did Dickinson have a German accent? I think all of the people claiming them to be Maiden copy cats have their heads up their @sses. If they sound like anything, they sound more like a heavy metal version of Uriah Heep and Yes with some teutonic ingredients thrown in a juice maker. Want a Maiden ripp off? how about Iced Earth?

Most of the people have no idea about this band. Have been a fan since the Kai Hansen days. I can assure you that this MACHINE is a completey different beast altogether from Iron Maiden.

(P.S. to the retard; Pantera isn't "thrash", no matter how much that patetic band and it's idiotic fans wanted them to be. Pantera is too slow to be considered thrash. Thrash are bands like Sodom, Dark Angle, Destruction, Exodus, Vio-lence and many more of that ilk.)

Good...BUT.......2006-04-13

First off, I do own this, and I'll review it another time, but I have to respond to UFO (Ugly F**ker of Oxen).

"Oh, I know for a fact that "Socailist MetalHead" and "Trooper" are one and the same, considering Amazon only lets you review once. I'm going off point though.... "
OK, dumbass, just cuz they share an opinion doesn;t mean s*** if they're the same person. Also, nu-metal fans? LMAO, just cuz they don;t like Helloween, they like nu-metal, lol, nice joke.

Okay, I like Helloween, but I find this album incredibly overrated. Michael Kiske doesn't even like metal!

Andreas Deris-era Helloween is MUCH, MUCH better.

(I hope this doesn't make SMH and The Trooper hate me.)

Average customer rating:

Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt. 1

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000RZGF16
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Average customer rating:

Japanese Version - Same as the Regular Version

Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1
Helloween
Manufacturer: Jvc Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Thrash & Speed Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000E1KNZM
Release Date: 2006-03-06

Tracks:

Initation
I'm Alive
Little Time
Twilight of the Gods
Tale That Wasn't Right
Future World
Halloween
Follow the Sign
Victim Fo Fate [Single B-Side]
Starlight [Remix]
Little Time [Alternative Version]
Halloween [Video Edit]

Customer Reviews:

Japanese Version - Same as the Regular Version.......2006-10-25

Average customer rating:

The beginning of a new sound in metal! + Bonus Tracks
Classic Power Metal...Revisited

Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1
Helloween
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Thrash & Speed Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2
Chameleon
The Time of the Oath
Pink Bubbles Go Ape

ASIN: B000C4A1EE
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Tracks:

Initiation
I'm Alive
Little Time
Twilight of the Gods
Tale That Wasn't Right
Future World
Halloween
Follow the Sign

Album Description

This is a classic. Halloween has to be right up there in the top 10 or so best hard rock songs of all time. Even over 13 minutes it just keeps rocking and rocking. I never get tired of hearing it. Castle. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

The beginning of a new sound in metal! + Bonus Tracks.......2007-07-19

Classic Power Metal...Revisited.......2006-10-25

Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt.1 (Limited E

Average customer rating:

Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt.1 (Limited E
Helloween
Manufacturer: Jvc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Thrash & Speed Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005NSB6
Release Date: 2001-10-01

Album Details

Digital K2 Remastered Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase Cover.

Average customer rating:

Classic Power Metal...Revisited
Helloween solidifying themselves as a "heavy metal" band

Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt. 1

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000E40P48
Release Date: 2006-02-07

Album Description

Forged in the early 80's from several Hamburg bands, Helloween began their monumental rise through the metal ranks via several songs released on a Noise Records Death Metal sampler. From here a deal was struck and their first release proper came in the shape of a now rare 5 track mini album in 1985. Later the same year came the album Walls Of Jericho, however, it was the addition of vocalist Michael Kiske for the opus Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I that shook the metal world to its core. This album and the following Keepers II became the albums that would define the Power Metal genre and provide Helloween with the momentum that still resonates to this day. ABOUT THE ALBUM: The addition of powerhouse vocalist Michael Kiske in 1986 took Helloween to a whole new level. The resulting release, Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I can never be overstated in its contribution to the metal pantheon. This was the album that struck the perfect balance between listenable melody and high-speed assault. Many would try to emulate but few would actually succeed. This deluxe expanded edition includes four bonus tracks with remixes, edits and alternative versions. *Re-mastered and expanded classic from the Teutonic innovators of Power Metal. *Features bonus material including remixes, b-sides and alternative versions. *Fully endorsed by the band. *Deluxe packaging with sleeve notes by Classic Rock's Dave Ling. *Helloween have recently released the third in the series, Keepers-The Legacy.

Customer Reviews:

Classic Power Metal...Revisited.......2006-10-25

Helloween solidifying themselves as a "heavy metal" band.......2006-07-22

In 1987, a little band in Germany called helloween stormed the shores of britain, then into the US with the first of the two KEEPERS albums. This brought them towards the fore front of the up and blossoming heavy metal industry of the day. With a sound reminiscent of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal pioneers Iron Maiden, Helloween pieced together this eight track Jaugernaut that soared high in records sales for the fledgling band, and set them up for a second masterpiece, Keepers part two. The two stand-out track on this album are "Future World" and the Epic Halloween (all 13 minutes of glory).
This new album includes 4 bonus tracks, here is the track listing:
1. Initation
2. I'm Alive
3. A Little Time
4. Twilight Of The Gods
5. A Tale That Wasn't Right
6. Future World
7. Halloween
8. Follow The Sign
9. Victim Fo Fate (Single B-Side) (Bonus Track)
10. Starlight (Remix) (Bonus Track)
11. A Little Time (Alternative Version) (Bonus Track)
12. Halloween (Video Edit) (Bonus Track)

The new slipcover packaging and colorful re-done booklet with the second part of the 8 part re-masters interview is in here as well. A must have re-issue for the collector, or a good start for the Helloween virgin. If you are reading this, you should be buying this album.

Average customer rating:

Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt.1
Helloween
Manufacturer: Jvc Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Thrash & Speed Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005V2UA
Release Date: 2002-02-21

Music Info: