Search - Helloween :: Better Than Raw

So you got tired of Helloween?

Haik | Seattle, WA USA | 04/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So you loved the Keepers albums, kept buying the ones after that hoping they would come out with something decent, and was let down time after time again? You aren't impressed with Andi Deris's voice, or you heard "The Dark Ride" and "Rabbits Don't Come Easy" and thought the songs were booooooriinng??? Don't give up yet! Better Than Raw is definitely a break from the string of highly unsuccesful, bland, albums that Helloween has been cranking out in the 90's. Ok, fine, so Keepers Pt. 3 was great, but it was not on par with Keepers 1&2. But this one is even better than Keepers Pt. 3. The music is definitely Heavy Metal, it is rough, has some progressive aspects to it, but there is also some variety.



The catchy songs "Hey Lord" and "I Can" really got me into the album. But the intense "Push" not only features some creative vocals from Deris, but is probably the high-point in songwriting for the album. Heavy, yet catchy. Not too distorted, and the vocals actually aren't that bad! Revelations is the real proggy one, Time is a really different song with an acoustic intro that brought great dynamics to this album, and lets see...Laudate Dominum is this really cheesy happy latin power metal song that I ended up loving (then got sick of). A few boring tracks that I couldn't get into such as Midnight Sun and Back on the Ground, but overall the songwriting is definitely a few notches up from other boring Helloween releases."

Helloween At Their Best

Ace Beauchamp | Kahnawake Mohawk Territory | 02/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To me this is one of my favorite Andy Deris era cd's.I own all the cd's.The song Revelation rocks and is the best one on the cd.A close second is Push and Hey lord!The guys put together a great cd for us fans to enjoy.You pretty much can listen to it all the way through and when you can do that you spent your money well.Now some will say how come i didn't mention the song "I Can" with praise well i'm not a huge fan of Helloween's hit songs like I Can, A Perfect Gentleman,Dr Stein,As Long As I Fall,and the corny Can Do It but i guess they have to write songs like that to keep the EXECUTIVES happy,but those songs don't appear on this one except I Can.All Helloween fans must love this cd and you will too!Also check out The Time of the Oath That also rocks and you won't be wasting your money!"

More than just a handful of pain...

Puffany | Australia | 12/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most of this album is outstanding - 9/10 to be more accurate. I don't understand why some people overlook this album - maybe the title puts them off (??).

As far as the original release is concerned, I would've given the album 10/10 if the 2 studio `bonus tracks' had replaced the 2 weakest tracks on the original release. That wasn't the case, so I would've given the original release 8/10.

This expanded edition has definitely improved on the original release of this album.

These guys certainly know how to make the best melodic metal music without sounding too cheesy (most of the time). It's easy to tell that a lot of intelligence and craft go into their creative output. They miss the mark at times but not on this album.

Andi Deris has a lot to do with why the songs sound so good to the ear. Lots of fans often mention that Kiske was a better vocalist. Technically - maybe so. I do love his work and every era of Helloween unlike some fans which are divided. However, Deris has something extra in his vocal delivery that consists of a raw, emotion-driven energy that makes him sound so convincing - kind of like he's singing with the same balls that Robert Plant sang with on the Zeppelin albums.



Here's a quick breakdown of the songs:



1. Deliberately Limited Prelude Period In Z: best intro to any Helloween album ever - dramatic orchestration that next leads into a monster song - 5/5

2. Push: explosive - the frantic vocals and ferocious pace gets the heart pumping - brilliant!! - 5/5

3. Falling Higher: the high standard continues with another excellent track - 4.5/5

4. Hey Lord: has an irresistible hook with the questioning `Hey Lord' chorus asking `what is it all about?'. Helloween have the brilliance to get away with commercial rock tracks without sounding corny - very few bands have that talent - 5/5

5. Don't Spit On My Mind: powerful track with awesome riffs & another strong chorus - equal favorite track on the album - 5/5

6. Revelation: about three quarters of the way to being real good....2 minutes shorter would've helped. I still dig it but would have preferred Game We Shouldn't Play for a place on the original - 3.5/5

7. Time: a slow, chiming, haunting track with excellent chorus & backing vocals - 5/5

8. I Can: this one rocks. Great tune. Another user-friendly song with a positive attitude that yet again refrains from being corny (just) - 4/5

9. A Handful Of Pain: I can hear Bowie in the vocals here. Another great chorus with attractive backing vocals - 5/5

10. Lavdate Dominum: excellent verses with the right build up that unfortunately leads to a lame chorus. Could have been much better - the weakest track on the `original' album only surpassed on the downside by the last `bonus' track on this expanded edition - 2.5/5

11. Midnight Sun: energetic work-out and a worthy ending to the original release - 4/5



Bonus Tracks



12. Back On The Ground: this one gets the heart pumping as well. Excellent track that leaves me asking why it wasn't included ahead of Lavdate Dominum on the original release 5/5

13. Game We Shouldn't Play: this bonus track is an absolute bonus indeed! - too good for a bonus track. 4/5

14. Perfect Gentleman: rockin' live version of one the most `loaded' and fun songs ever - a Helloween classic - 5/5

15. Moshi Moshi Shiki No Uta: drum solo with some nice guitar at the end...unnecessary! - 1/5



I don't know how many times I've been disappointed by the bonus tracks on albums over the last few years by different artists however, this is one that works the way you would hope. If you've already got the original release, like it, but aren't sure whether this is worth it for the extras, don't think about it - get it! If you haven't heard this album before, check it out and see what you think.

Anyway, I'm tired and going to bed.



Rock on!

"