“Helloween” Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 Album Review By Jason Hartsock
Helloween’s, “Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1” will be turning 30 years old this year. The album was released May 23rd, 1987 through Noise Records. Let’s take a look back on the release of Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1.
The album was recorded from November 1986 at Horus Sound Studio in Hannover, Germany with the recording completed in January 1987. The album has been widely considered to spark the birth of European-style Power Metal and as such has gone on to be very successful upon release. The album marks the first appearance of Michael Kiske as vocalist.
Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 unleashed 8 new tunes upon the world in 1987, which are in order as follows: Initiation, I’m Alive, A Little Time, Twilight of the Gods, A Tale That Wasn’t Right, Future World, Halloween and Follow the Sign. The album featured Michael Kiske on vocals, Kai Hansen on guitar, Michael Weikath as co-guitarist for the album, due to a hand injury that prevented him from properly performing on much of the album and Ingo Schwichtenberg on drums.
My input on this album is that it’s just awesome. Listening to it for the first time years ago, I was stunned. This album truly is Power Metal at its best. The whole trip is enjoyable yet heavy enough to throw up the horns on the Helloween Coaster. My absolute favorite track off the album is easily I’m Alive. Reason being is because the song is fast, heavy, and loud which makes an individual like myself very happy when it comes to metal music.
This month, be sure to celebrate the 30 year release of this album by cranking it up to 11. Whether it’s on your iPod, your boom box, CD player, car stereo or anything else you can listen to it on, just do it. You will not regret it. I promise you.
Now, you may be asking yourself, “Is he going to rate a 30 year old album?” My answer is… You bet your ass I’m going to rate a 30 year old album. 5 out of 5. How do you like that?
Jason Hartsock / MHF Magazine
