Returning from the inky blackness of the void we're thrust into the land of sinners...
If the band went back to the drawing board and came back with this, the time spent polishing their riffs, beefing up their sound and taking a symphonic and detailed approach to their songwriting was exceedingly well spent. The band have never been one for pomp and pageantry - and when they have they've always done it with their tongue firmly in their cheek. There's cheesy and forgettable and then there's fun and Helloween. With flutes and bombast and choirs galore they're not afraid to dig deep into their memories of childhood rock heroes to treat their cherished cliches with love to bring them new life. Yes, it's power metal at its core - but it's also a virulently catchy form of rock n' roll that deserves careful attention.
7 Sinners is a really complete Euro metal record that celebrates our diverse genre from past to present and adds to the future giving it the respect it deserves. From bluesy licks, pounding thrash rhythms, touches of death metal vocals it screams from the high heavens that Helloween aren't just a power metal band, they are band that plays - and loves - heavy metal music.
On this record they ask each and every listener - Are You Metal? If not, that's fine. You're just missing out.
The Top 10
#6: Dark Tranquillity - We Are the Void