So after the worldwide success of Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I in 1987, Part II was released the following year, and the combination of the two (the band's first wish was to release a double album) gave the band its legend status.
On this album you'll find some of the most known songs of the band, such as Eagle Fly Free, Dr Stein, I want out, and of course Keeper Of The Seven Keys. But all the other tracks are good and have some interest, with great riffs & solos, as well as catchy choruses to sing along. Try March Of Time for example, there's actually no musical reason for such a track to be less famous than I Want Out, it's just that the latter was made a single for the album, like Dr Stein. Oh yeah, there are some funny stuff too, like in Rise And Fall.
The production is a little above Part I, even though some of the youngest listeners might find it a little bit to "80s sounding", but at least we can clearly hear the harmonies between guitars, the perfect bass job by Markus, and this incredible voice of Kiske. Drums are also good, and sometimes there are some keyboards and choirs that really goes with the music.
A special word for the Keeper Of The Seven Keys 13 minutes song, that has the only acoustic parts in the album, and which is really attractive from the beginning to the end, this song has some effects on me, especially the lyrics. The album doesn't need such a track to be great, but this one makes it wonderful.
If you were to pick only one album of all Helloween's releases, this would be Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II for sure!
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