This is Helloween’s ninth album, released back in 2000, and this version is part of the Nuclear Blast reissue series that comes with three bonus tracks. A much darker and heavier sound than previous albums with d-tuned guitars.
Only Helloween could give you an intro that leads into an intro, and that’s exactly how things start here with Mr. Torture. It’s a great advert for the darker edge sound with heavier guitars. All Over The Nations is euro power metal, as it should be. It has drums faster than a fast thing on a fast train to fast town, a medieval sounding hook and chorus, and very melodic dual guitars. Escalation is more my style with fat huge chugga riffs and a straight four to the floor groove. Mirror Mirror starts with a commercial sound before the guitars chug and the vocals go real low. If I Could Fly is a classic power metal ballad with emphasis on the power. Salvation is speed metal 101, and is it me or does every song start as though it’s going to be the most epic thing you’ve ever heard? The Departed is a variation in vibe and groove but the guitars still sound huge, and don’t forget variety is the spice of life my friends.
I Live For Your Pain is a straight 4×4 groover, and those guitars are so low. We Damn The Night is a return to full on double kicks, and I would say this is the most commercial sounding track here. Immortal is metal power ballad number two, and the solo is killer. The Dark Ride starts with an eerie ghost train intro before the leash is let off.
First of the three bonus tracks is The Madness Of Crowds, which has a killer intro and I’m not sure how this one wasn’t part of the album proper as it’s my favourite track. Ripping main riff! Deliver Us From Temptation follows and the pedal is firmly to the metal. The last track is a single edit of If I Could Fly.
Great speed metal album by a very influential band.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
