Search - Helloween :: Rabbit Don't Come Easy

Return Of The Happy Metal

Stanley Runk | Camp North Pines | 07/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this is the one that'll change the minds of the Andi Deris haters out there. This is one solid album, the best Helloween have done in a long time. I know alot of people tuned out when Deris came into the picture, but I don't see why exactly. Sure he's not the singer Michael Kiske was(not many are), but he's suited for the sound of the band now. I mean, you're doomed if you compare him to Kiske-Deris does have some pretty big shoes to fill there. I've grown to like him myself. But this album rocks, let me tell you. Helloween have gone back to their "happy metal" style that we all love so much after giving us The Dark Ride. There's a tad bit of the Dark Ride left over for this album as well as Better Than Raw. Most of the songs here tend to go the route of the heavier songs on Better Than Raw like "Push." In fact, this album gets really heavy, moreso than I've come to expect from Helloween. Bits of it sound like something off of the newer Overkill albums! I was a little skeptical at first after hearing the guitar player(Roland)and drummer(Uli)had left-I thought the album wouldn't be that good. But this Sascha guy is quite good, and who doesn't like Mickey Dee? Roland always rubbed me the wrong way anyhow, I don't know about you folks. I guess it was subconscious-he replaced Kai Hansen and I held a grudge or something. Plus, he just didn't seem like Helloween was his kind of band-like he didn't really belong there. Anyhow, Roland or not, Uli or not, Kiske or not, everything falls into place perfectly here. Helloween should be proud."

Great CD, go and buy it.

David K. Barrett | Seattle, WA | 06/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, I really do not understand the criticism that Helloween is taking for this album. If people are put off by the album title, they shouldn't be. Rabbit Don't Come Easy is NOT like the experimental Pink Bubbles or Chameleon albums (both of which I like anyway). Rabbit is solid German power metal, made by power metal's inventors and played infinately better than the legions of imitators. As you know by now, the Rabbit title just refers to phrase "like pulling a rabbit out of a hat".Anyway, the songs, there really is not much of a dud here. Occasionally there are some funny phrases, and some weak lyrics, but nothing too distracting. The best songs are going to be the fast ones like Just A Little Sign, Listen to the Flies, Open Your Life, Sun 4 The World and Liar. The new guitarist Sascha Gertsner immediately makes his presence felt by cowriting some of the best tracks.I liked the Roy Z sinister brand of Helloween found on The Dark Ride, but I also welcome the return of the more classic sounding Helloween. Dark Ride broke the band apart and I will miss Uli and Roland's writing and playing, but Roland's replacement does a great job on Rabbit. Lastly, unlike a few opinions, I think that Wieki's Nothing To Say is really a cool song. Catchy melody, funny lyrics and very different. The song features several tempo changes and a raegae section. Judas Priest did something like that on The Rage, so if Priest does it, you know its cool. If you like Helloween, you will like this."

At least one band hasn't disappointed me

Old Ancestor | The Swamp | 09/27/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The power metal scene has been pretty bleak lately but one can always depend on Helloween to put out something worthwhile. Some prefer the gloomier mood of The Dark Ride while others see this as a welcome return to the 'classic' sound of old. I am just glad they don't stagnate and put out the same album over and over as most bands seem to do.
Yeah, there are a couple of mediocre tracks here and there but most of the time the listener is reminded why Helloween is the best at what they do. Even with the line-up changes, the playing and songwriting is still nonpareil. Although Uli might be the best and most dynamic drummer in power metal, Micky Dee does a bang-up job replacing him. His playing isn't quite as textured but it is suitably aggressive for the material.
So if you haven't been following Helloween in recent years and just happened to surf through, I suggest you give this cd a chance. It's got the melody and musicianship that made them (sort of) famous, but with a powerful, grinding, up-to-date sound. It's certainly better than anything put out by these lame American 'Nu-metal' bands that are all over the radio these days."