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3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
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Band
Helloween
Title
Chameleon (Expanded Edition)
Type
LP/EP
Company
Sanctuary Records
YOR
2006
Style
Power
7/3/2006 - Review by: Eric Compton
Helloween - Chameleon (Expanded Edition) - 2006 - Sanctuary Records

Track Listing
DISC ONE
1. First Time
2. When The Sinner
3. I Don't Wanna Cry No More
4. Crazy Cat
5. Giants
6. Windmill
7. Revolution Now
8. In The Night
9. Music
10. Step Out Of Hell
11. I Believe
12. Longing

DISC TWO
1. I Don't Care You Don't Care
2. Oriental Journey
3. Cut In The Middle
4. Introduction
5. Get Me Out Of Here
6. Red Socks And The Smell Of Trees
7. Ain't Got Nothin Better
8. Windmill
For years I have refused to acknowledge this release, simply turning away on any thought that Helloween's Kiske era continued past "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part Two". Somehow I managed to escape "Chameleon", or it escaped me. This is the album that many Helloween fans simply refuse to listen to, often enough simply skipping this era of the band and jumping from "Part Two" to "Master Of The Rings". Now Castle Music has included this album in their special "Expanded Edition", re-mastering and re-issuing the record with additional photos, songs, and liner notes.

"Chameleon" would be the swan song for vocalist Michael Kiske, who ended his run with the band after the completion and touring for the record. It would also be the last album to feature drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg, who would be dismissed from the group after the tour. Tragically Schwichtenberg took his own life shortly thereafter. In terms of speed and precision, all is dismissed from this controversial effort. The band members at this point are simply trying to re-invent themselves and possibly go beyond the normal fare and offer up a new presentation for core fans. It was with "Chameleon" that the band blended the likes of the Beatles, The Sweet, and a smothering of '70s rock progressions. The really interesting thing about this re-issue is the additional liner notes with Michael Weikath in the form of a print interview with Classic Rock/Metal Hammer scribe Dave Ling. Here are some of my favorite quotes from that:

When asked about the album's sound, Weikath explains, "I still don't have a suitable definition for "Chameleon". We tried to make a Beatles album, which sounds pretty far-fetched now, but it was wishful thinking behind the project. The Helloween that is around today still sometimes say that it's three solo records in one." He later goes on to say, "We were sick of people demanding play faster and faster, sing higher and higher. In some ways it was like what The Sweet had gone through." He goes on to talk about the production, Roland Grapow, foreshadowing of Kiske's departure, and songs such as "Revolution Now" and "Giants".

Along with that fantastic offering is a whole disc worth of bonus songs. Among the offered songs are two cuts from the "When The Sinner" single, three cuts from the "Windmill" single, and two tracks lifted from the "I Don't Wanna Cry No More" single. Also, we get a demo version of "Windmill".



--EC 05.12.06

  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: HELLOWEEN
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Better Than Raw (Expanded Edition)
2006
Sanctuary Records
Eric Compton7/3/2006
-
Chameleon (Expanded Edition)
2006
Sanctuary Records
Eric Compton7/3/2006
-
Gambling with the Devil
2007
SPV/Steamhammer
Frank Hill10/19/2007
4
Keeper Of The Seven Keys: The Legacy
2005
SPV/Steamhammer
Stygian Steel10/14/2005
-
Keeper of the Seven Keys--Part 1
1987
Noise International
Frank Hill10/30/2003
-
Master Of The Rings (Expanded Edition)
2006
Sanctuary Records
Eric Compton7/3/2006
-
Mrs. God
2005
Victor Entertainment
Eric Compton8/18/2005
-
Pink Bubbles Go Ape (Expanded Edition)
2006
Sanctuary Records
Eric Compton7/3/2006
-
Rabbit Don't Come Easy
2003
Nuclear Blast
Eric Compton4/10/2003
-
The Time Of The Oath (Expanded)
2006
Sanctuary Records
Eric Compton6/9/2006
-
Walls Of Jericho (Expanded)
2006
Sanctuary Records
Eric Compton6/9/2006
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: HELLOWEEN
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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