Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Helloween - Mrs. God - 2005 - Victor Entertainment Japan

Track Listing1. Mrs. God 2. My Life For One More Day 3. Run (The Name Of Your Enemy) 4. Mrs. God (Video)

Those pesky pumpkins are back at it again, this time teaming up with those Japs to get even more metal dollars out of my wallet. Thankfully a friend of mine dished out the cash to bring this Japan single to sunny Virginia, just in time for me to crank out a review for all of the Weeny fans. As I've stated before, Helloween have become a completely different band now that they have "split" from Roland Grapow and company. This version of Helloween seems to go down the hard rock path, taking into consideration many progressive and power metal moments in a quest to become a "thinking man's band". Masterplan, the other half of Helloween (yes, the other half!) is on the same sort of quest, leading me to my bold statement; Helloween's split has now led to TWO excellent bands.

So that brings us to "Mrs. God", the first single from Helloween's upcoming full-length "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: The Legacy". It seems like I am the sole defender of this new Helloween, with many metal fans rejecting 'Ween's last goofy output "Rabbit Don't Come Easy". This time my stance is a little harder to come by defending "Mrs. God". The first two listens had me convinced that this group had completely lost any initiative to be a heavy metal band first and foremost. But after repeated listens it has slowly grown on me. The song embraces a light, progressive theme, with many soft guitar riffs and vocal layers that are almost Journey like in their delivery of Euro AOR. But the band kick in some heavy chops mid-way through and really, in all honesty "Mrs. God" fits the same sort of pattern as the group's previous material. It is a bit fluffy and tongue in cheek, but still pleases this particular Weeny.

The band's second notch, "My Life For One More Day", is a fast gallop through "Better Than Raw" era Helloween, with Deris in full speed mode set to a song structure that is very impressive in its blend of aggression and melody. The chorus part here is emphasized with a layer of "gang" vocals, something that this band does very well with the production it is given. "Run", the third cut here, seems to be missing something. It is an up-tempo song as well but for some reason just lacks a basic hook or drive to be replayed. A decent offering but a disappointing closer.

So there you have it, the very first steps toward the enchanted forest known as "Keeper Of The Seven Keys". This third installment should be very interesting considering how different this band is now from the Kiske led army of years past. "Mrs. God" is a good first step and one that leaves me wanting more and more. I think Helloween and their fans will be pleased with the new album.


---EC 08.17.05