Search - Helloween :: Treasure Chest

Helloween-Treasure Chest Indeed

TCHR73 | Illinois | 08/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Treasure Chest compilation limited edition is a good, economical way for fans new to the band to get acquainted with Helloween's earlier work. This compilation touches every facet of Helloween's illustrious career--covering all 11 (at the time of release) of Helloween's albums. Included are the classics such as Ride the Sky, Murderer, A Little Time, Future World, the 13+ minute epics Halloween and Keeper of the Seven Keys, the humorous Dr. Stein, the hard to find Michael Kiske version of Starlight, and the beautiful Eagle Fly Free, just to name a few.

The interesting thing about this album is that Andi Deris, who took over singing duties after Michael Kiske left, was supposed to re-sing some of the tracks on Treasure Chest. Also, the live version of How Many Tears, as it appeared on I Want Out Live, was supposed to be on this compilation. I thought it would have been cool to hear Deris' interpretation of some of these songs, but this did not happen. However, I did get to hear these songs live when I saw Helloween in October 2003 in Chicago. Anyway, back to the review.

The third disc in this compilation is a collection of some of Helloween's singles from 1991-2000. There are some really cool b-sides on this disc that are really hard to find. It would cost hundreds of dollars to get this single b-sides if you bought each individually. Included are 4 of the 7 original Master of the Rings b-sides, some of which should have been on the album instead of b-sides. Really very cool, though. However, Helloween has so many b-sides that the band could have easily included another disc. At any rate, this limited edition is a great buy for any Helloween fan--beginner and seasoned vet alike."

The BEST Helloween collection up to now

TCHR73 | 06/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To those unfamiliar with Helloween's history - they are a German band responsible for the birth of European power metal, as it is known today.



Helloween's carrier officially started back in 1986, with their debut album "Walls of Jericho" which made them known to the underground public. Combining thrash/speed metal with classical and melodic elements, the band achieved a very good beginning. The band's career reached it's peak during 1987-1988, with the releases of the highly influential "Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I&II" albums and the addition of the charismatic and nowadays most copied metal vocalist Michael Kiske! The band disappeared from the scene for a couple of years (due to record label problems), released a couple of unsuccessful but nevertheless good records (91-93) and resurfaced in 1994 with a new line up (+new vocalist), releasing some overall good albums.



This double Best Of CD is a wonderful collection of some of the greatest songs ever recorded by Helloween. The songs included are the best known and some of the most epic material of the band's 15 year career (old songs-remastered).



The best songs included here are the classic-powerful-heavy metal tunes: "I Want Out", "Future World" and "Dr.Stein". The fast paced trade mark Helloween style ones: "Eagle Fly Free", "Ride The Sky", "How Many Tears", "Starlight" and "When The Rain Grows". Rounding off the highlights are the over 10 minute epics: "Halloween" and "Keeper Of The Seven Keys", were the talent of the band members in both technicality and songwriting skills shines. With these 2 songs Helloween achieve to deliver 2 masterpieces, filled with earth shattering vocals, tempo changes, great harmonies, outstanding melodic twin guitar riffs and extended solos and varying drumming!



Considering the songs mentioned, along with the wonderful and emotional ballad "A Tale That Wasn't Right", these alone are worth the price of the album, not even mentioning the rest...

If you can't spend money on buying each album separately this is the best deal you get to buy the best songs released by this outstanding band, which will surely amaze you, even if you are not a metal fan.



This double album covers all of Helloween's 11 albums, thus including more thrasy, melodic, operatic or heavy moments, which are all characterized by both outstanding high pitched and hard vocals, fantasy and sociologically based lyrics, perfect guitar orchestration and mainly fast drumming.



Don't think about it, just buy it!!



Will appeal to all Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Stratovarius, Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Queensryche and many more hard rock and metal fans."