HOPEFULLY this will come to North America, unlike the 2011-2012 Helloween/Stratovarius world tour which successful played everywhere imaginable BUT the USA.
Speaking of Stratovarius, I've seen them a few times, the last being at the Middle East downstairs with the newer line up. The mentioning of Stratovarius also just reminds me of when Timo Tolkki stabbed himself in the arm and blamed it on a crazed spanish fan who didn't actually exist.
Me neither, although I can tolerate up through the Destiny album. Infinite-present, no way. (Polaris was a nice effort but got old after a few listens.)
I remember seeing some shitty remake of Dr Stein, and I Want Out by the modern Helloween....it was like slow and soft, what the fuck was that all about??
I love Stratovarius up to and including Elements Part 1. Wish I could've been to that Stratovarius / Pagan's Mind tour, but I was like 15 and 18+ shows make literally no sense. (Only 21+ or all ages is real)
But yeah, post-80's Helloween is pretty trash, but they were still amazing in 2008. Would see again.
I remember seeing some shitty remake of Dr Stein, and I Want Out by the modern Helloween....it was like slow and soft, what the fuck was that all about??
That was a random b-sides remake album they did for fun as an anniversary thing. They also released a heavy album right after.
Speaking of which... Anyone knocking modern helloween hasn't actually listened to them in a long, long time. Better than raw, gambling with the devil, 7 sinners, all strong albums. In the helloween sense that is - much like old stuff its a handful of fast stuff, a handful of silly stuff, and a couple shitty ballads.
If you want old helloween songs, check out gamma ray or supersonic instead. Supersonic is Kiske and Hansen, but really poppy.
And I've wasted my time listening to every Helloween album when I was younger because I actually used to enjoy Deris quite a bit. I can say this definitively, fuck newschool Helloween. They have one or two good songs an album, I regret wasting so much time listening to those trash albums.
And I've wasted my time listening to every Helloween album when I was younger because I actually used to enjoy Deris quite a bit. I can say this definitively, fuck newschool Helloween. They have one or two good songs an album, I regret wasting so much time listening to those trash albums.
Correct. I confused Superred and Unisonic.
As for Helloween, it's not Deris/Kiske that matters - they're both just hired hands (as you saw in 2008). It's the writing. Which is why the albums immediately after Hansen's departure are crap (Grapow), with the exception of "better than raw". Keeper 3, Oath, Dark Ride, and Rings were mostly junk.
The newer stuff with the new guitarist is pretty great. Lots of heavy material, but with the trademark Helloween bouncy happy vibe - none of the fake dark material like Dark Ride and other monstrosities. Yes, even the newest albums have filler and ballads, but so did the old stuff people compare it to. Tale That Wasn't Right? Rise and Fall? We Got The Right? Keeper of the 7 Keys itself?
It's like people forget the ridiculous amount of silly music and filler on those first two keeper albums. On almost every album they put out, there's a few good songs. Add that up, and it's more strong material than contained on any of the old albums.
Basically, if your prefer "I Want Out" - you want Gamma Ray.
If you're favorite song is "Eagle Fly Free", you'll like a lot of the new Helloween. Weikath can't write a hook quite like Hansen, but he can still write killer riffs and epic songs.
See, I used to love The Dark Ride and Gambling - but they just get so OLD so quickly. Yes the musicianship is solid, but it's just generic.
The new drummer specifically - I can't think of any other drummer, outside of technical death metal, who is successfully TALENTED AS FUCK but still forgettable as fuck.
And even the filler on the keeper albums kicks ass. A Tale That Wasn't Right is probably the only song on those albums I dislike.
post by Arrow ... Logged in? at Sep 12,2012 3:38pm
By new drummer, you mean the former drummer of Gamma Ray? (Uli?) or Dan, who played on the last 3 albums? Uli is anything but forgettable, he's the best replacement they could have found for Ingo after he died. His work in Helloween and Gamma Ray is stellar, and he's easily the only thing I like about Masterplan.
The new guy, Dan, I'll be honest - I haven't given him a lot of attention. So you may have a point - but look who the poor fuck is replacing.
Speaking of replacements - Gamma Ray just replaced Dan Z. I don't know how this is going to work out. The guy isn't just the best drummer they ever had (better than Uli even), he's got some pretty distinct background vocals.
Dan, not Uli. Uli was a great drummer, even if he was on some of the worst Helloween albums.
And I didn't know Gamma Ray replaced anyone, I guess we'll see how it works out.
post by Arrow NLI at Sep 12,2012 4:08pm
They just announced it, right before the tour was announced. Dan made a statement on the site:
"
Dear fans,
thank you very much for your never-ending support and the countless magic moments with you during the last 15 years.
You are the best !!! (Eh kloar)
Being the drummer of Gamma Ray was an eventful, exciting, challenging and very emotional time and I would never want to miss it.
Now it is time for me to try out new avenues.
Stay Metal forever in eternity
Dan"
It says he doesn't like having to leave home so often for Gamma Ray. He's an ugly dude in a power-metal band, home is likely the only place he can get laid. I don't blame him.
Basically, if your prefer "I Want Out" - you want Gamma Ray.
If you're favorite song is "Eagle Fly Free", you'll like a lot of the new Helloween. Weikath can't write a hook quite like Hansen, but he can still write killer riffs and epic songs.
I prefer him in Primal Fear. Kai all the way for Gamma Ray.
post by ShadowSDNLI at Sep 13,2012 4:05pm
Bump For Discussion of Helloween and Stratovarius. Two bands I find that are generally underrated, some of the melody writing and harmony and dynamics and composition is just incredible, I think people who don't give those bands a chance because they don't dig power metal vocals are missing out on some awesome instrumental music that nearly anyone would appreciate.
Although I do think a lot of Stratovarius's post-Episode material tends to drag. Most songs on Visions, Destiny and Infinite definitely would've benefited from being one or two minutes shorter each.
As for Helloween, there's really no reason why they shouldn't have been way more popular than they actually were. In a perfect world, I Want Out would still be played on classic rock and 80's appreciation radio stations.
Basically, if your prefer "I Want Out" - you want Gamma Ray.
If you're favorite song is "Eagle Fly Free", you'll like a lot of the new Helloween. Weikath can't write a hook quite like Hansen, but he can still write killer riffs and epic songs.
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