Some CD's are so hard to do a write-up about, so I end up owning them for months, listening to them over and over, before I even try. This album was such an ordeal for me. Not only have Helloween been one of my favorite bands for ages (although loosing some territory in latter years), but this time around they are also releasing what is supposed to be some sort of follow up to the classic 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' albums. To be quit honest, this is done with the sole purpose to sell more albums, and to ride on the trail of those classics. So how is the result then? Well, besides the dreadful looking cover art, I have mixed emotions. I've read numerous favorable reviews, stating that this is their finest moment since the 'Keeper..'-era, but I can't say that I agree. Sure, they have released yet another double album (that had easily fitted on 1 CD!). And they have delivered 2 more epic-length tracks ("The King For A 1000 Years" & "Occasion Avenue"), and some attempts at humor ("Mrs. God"). But other then that, this has nothing to do with the already aforementioned records. They just don't have those killer memorable songs, with hooks you sing along to instantly, and for days after listening to them. I don't get that spine-chilling feeling from any of the tracks presented. And I am sure this will not go down as yet another classic album, in my book. What I do detect though is that Helloween have delivered a strong album instrumentally. The band haven't sounded better musically in years. The CD's are sprinkled with little parts here and there that puts a smile on my face, be it a guitar-solo, a riff or whatever. So in conclusion, I think this fan might never become a full blown Helloween addict without Michael Kiske being in the band. But I will continue to buy their albums, regardless. Candice Night (Blackmore's Night) makes a duet appearance in "Light The Universe".

Killer tracks: The King For A 1000 Years, The Invisible Man, Pleasure Drone, My Life For One More Day

Keepers Legacy World Tour

I went and saw Helloween on the tour this double live album was recorded at. So this was sort of a nice flashback. What blew me away at the concert was how good Andi was singing the "oldies", and the fact that they actually dared to play both "Keeper of the Seven Keys" and "Halloween". This must have been a life long dream for many a fan, and it was a night to be remembered. One sort of overlooked the fact that the band also chose to play for track from their latest album, and that 2 of those where both clocking in at over 10 minutes. Here it is a little more obvious though. While the old songs still sound great, the new ones don't seem to have the same staying power. At least not the longer tracks. This will never become a classic live album, but it is certainly much better than the poor 'High Live' offering. 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy World Tour 2005/2006' was recorded live in Sao Paulo, which is also used as a title for the double CD. But the last 2 tracks was recorded at other venues, thus getting the bonus tag.

You really dont think King For A Thousand Years and Occasion Avenue has the staying power of Halloween and Keeper Of The Seven Keys? Even though I like Halloween I think I rather hear King For A Thousand Years live instead. Keeper Of The Seven Keys Blows away Halloween so I would even pick that over hearing Halloween.

After the success of Keepers 3 the band went back into the studio to record their follow up entitled Gambling With The Devil that was released in 2007. It would be right where the band left off with Keepers 3 only with a little darker edge almost in the vein of The Dark Ride but with stronger songs. The opening track features a guest appearance by Saxon vocalist Biff Byford. The album was met with great reviews and it even broke way for a world tour called The Hellish Rock Tour with none other than former Helloween guitarist Kai Hansens band Gamma Ray. This would put the rumors to rest that Kai doesnt get along with his former band mates in Helloween. Kai would even perform with Helloween on the enocores I Want Out and Future World.

A year later this album would be re-released due to the success of the tour as a limited edition feature a bonus disc with 3 songs that were not on the album and also 2 videos. A single for the song As Long As I Fall was released but in the US only as a download and in Japan on cd.

I really liked this album. I think I liked it more than The Legacy but in a way I feel like it had songs that were just left overs from the Legacy album. Even if that were the truth its still a great album. A lot of time changes on this one which is something they started to get into a little with Rabbit Dont Come Easy and then again even more with The Legacy. Favorite Tracks off this one would be Kill It, As Long As I Fall, Paint A New World, and Dreambound.

2009 marks the 25th anniversary of Helloween. Supposedly there is something in store for the anniversary but no details have been revealed as of yet.


This concludes the Helloween discography. I noticed I have left out some Helloween side projects that I was adding during this thread cause I sort of lost track. Anyhoo...thats all for now.

I thought this was their strongest album since Better Than Raw. From the opening of Kill It I was stoked and this album proves to be worth the excitement. That song and Paint a New World are as fast as anything they've done and Andi sounds as strong as he ever has. Best songs are The Saints and The Bells Of The Seven Hells.

GAMBLING WITH THE DEVIL smokes the previous KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS: THE LEGACY.

That's all I gotta say, really.

This is a very strong release by Helloween. I can't even pick out any faves because I think they're all that good. Highly recommended listening !

Top notch album from start to finish. I too believe this was the best release since Better Than Raw. I even like the very silly Can Do It. Kill It and Bells Of The Seven Hells are two of the heaviest Helloween songs since Push. I looked throughout the booklet trying to see if there was a guest vocalist on Kill It because in a few parts Deris' voice sounded wicked and I couldn't believe it was him.

I don't remember anymore....

Yea I sadly remember that contest. I knew the answer was God, but of course I doubt it and asked a few other people and came up with other answers so of course I took someone elses answer instead of my own and it was wrong. The answer was "GOD". What other answer would it have been, its helloween and the scratch offs revealed 3 7's. I knew I should have just stuck with my answer to. Ooooh well I guess.