HELLOWEEN – 7 Sinners

Whether it serves as a reaction to Helloween experimenting with acoustic and Classical arrangements on its odd anniversary record Unarmed, or simply a natural progression from their last proper studio release Gambling With the Devil, newie 7 Sinners sees the band further gearing up speed down its Metal-Baun. Fueled by the techniques of drummer Dani Loeble, several songs seem built around his fast-paced ability, as Helloween again finds new ways to explore its patented Melodic Speed Metal.

Andi Deris’ again matches his versatile voice with likewise broad songwriting. The sinister-sounding “Where the Sinners Go” relies primarily on chugginess, whereas the very fast-paced first single “Are You Metal?” makes up a nice pair, letting the listener in on 7 Sinners. His talents also lend themselves to the other side of the realm with the atmospheric semi-ballad “Smile of the Sun,” and the tribute to Ronnie James Dio and Judas Priest that is “Long Live the King”; fittingly, the song serves as Metal as possibly can be.

Guitarist, founder and former dominant songwriter Michael “Weiki” Weikath has always provided occasional “goofiness” to the occasion, so what better way than to add a pan flute of the supposed character Aldo (performed by Eberhard Hahn) to the solo section that is the otherwise rocking “Raise The Noise”? It’s different; it’s entertaining; it works. Seeing as the other of his songs, “The Sage, The Fool, The Sinner,” is quite similar in its overall arrangements, a Helloween album consisting of more Weiki tunes would probably prove too one-sided in this day and age. However, set in the context of Deris’ varied approach, bassist and co-founder Markus Grosskopf’s melodic and likable tunes, and second guitarist Sascha Gerstner’s Epic and aggressive material, Weikath as usual lends familiar tradition into the proceedings.

Speaking of Gerstner, his addition to the band has proved fruitful, invigorating Helloween as a live act, and also contributing plenty of ideas that lend a modern creative approach to the classic Helloween style. “You Stupid Mankind” for instance, but even better yet is “My Sacrifice”.  With complex guitar parts and a contagious Epic chorus, the song would have felt right at home on the band’s classic Time of the Oath opus, yet is right in the pocket of today’s Metal.

Last, let’s not forget Grosskopf. Unfortunately, the man’s playing tends all too often to get buried in Charlie Beuerfiend’s bombastic production, but his Melodic and positive, yet fast-paced songs “World of Fantasy” and “If A Mountain Could Talk” prove to have the kopf mark on there similar to previous offerings of his like “Final Fortune” and “My Life For One More Day”.

Probably because the band utilizes four individual songwriters, yet by maintaining a strong sense of the band’s legacy, Helloween again proves able to move forward and stay current with their music … all without letting go of what made them likeable in the first place.  A fine line, yet Helloween seems to be a natural when managing it.