Rabbit Don't Come Easy

by

Helloween

Edit

I think this is the one that'll change the minds of the Andi Deris haters out there. This is one solid album, the best Helloween have done in a long time. I know alot of people tuned out when Deris came into the picture, but I don't see why exactly. Sure he's not the singer Michael Kiske was(not many are), but he's suited for the sound of the band now. I mean, you're doomed if you compare him to Kiske-Deris does have some pretty big shoes to fill there. I've grown to like him myself. But this album rocks, let me tell you. Helloween have gone back to their "happy metal" style that we all love so much after giving us The Dark Ride. There's a tad bit of the Dark Ride left over for this album as well as Better Than Raw. Most of the songs here tend to go the route of the heavier songs on Better Than Raw like "Push." In fact, this album gets really heavy, moreso than I've come to expect from Helloween. Bits of it sound like something off of the newer Overkill albums! I was a little skeptical at first after hearing the guitar player(Roland)and drummer(Uli)had left-I thought the album wouldn't be that good. But this Sascha guy is quite good, and who doesn't like Mickey Dee? Roland always rubbed me the wrong way anyhow, I don't know about you folks. I guess it was subconscious-he replaced Kai Hansen and I held a grudge or something. Plus, he just didn't seem like Helloween was his kind of band-like he didn't really belong there. Anyhow, Roland or not, Uli or not, Kiske or not, everything falls into place perfectly here. Helloween should be proud.

When I saw the cover and read the title of this album, I said to myself, this is gonna be another "Pink Bubbles Go Ape" and "Chameleon" kind of mission. Luckily I was wrong. I would have needed to go into a couple of negative stars otherwise. No jokes appart, this is a very good effort. I was gonna give it 4 stars because we have more good songs than those that are not that good. The guitarship is excellent combining great riffs with harmonization and brilliant solos. The drumming is even better. But because this album is called "Rabbit Don't Come Easy" I must deduct a whole star. My little sister could have done a bit better in coming up with a name for this album. HAHAHAHA. Anyways let's go through all the songs. I must tell you that the ratings would be lower were it not for the way these guys play their instruments.

Just A Little Sign - 7.5/10 The first single from the album. Powerful song that starts off with mighty riffs and fast drumming. The chorus is epic. I don't like the middle part that slows down the whole song but it is followed by amazing guitar work and ends with different melodies that follow into a final chorus. Excellent Opener.

Open Your Life - 10/10 Everything you need to have in a perfect song. Beautiful opening riff worked upon by another guitar. Amazing. Way more melodic than the first track, the singing suits it extremely well. I like the chorus as it is different, less epic and not in the Power Metalish way. Amazing breaks and solos. Reminds me of the Master Of The Rings era. Brilliant.

The Tune - 8/10 This song has very evident singing melodies (Probably explains the title). The music is again played superbly. The Drummer and Bassist putting themselves in the front row until the end of the second chorus when the two guitarists again steal the show. Excellent song.

Never Be A Star - 9/10 Didn't I say that the music found on this album is similar to the album "Master Of The Rings"? Well this song is very close to the "Perfect Gentleman" track found on that album. It starts just like it with a short tune that lasts throughout the song (This time it sounds like it's played with a sitar). Very good verses followed by a catchy chorus. A short solo followed by a bass line and what sounds like a crowd of a million Helloween worshipers going crazy over it. Must be a brilliant song live. Excellent track.

Liar - 5.5/10 Starts off with a fast riff and crazy drumming. The singing is nice and rough, just like I sound after drinking a gallon of gasoline and inhaling a whole confection of Cuban Churchill Cigars. The musicianship is again excellent. The chorus is what forces me to lower the rating of the song. Sometimes with Power Metal bands you seem to get repetitive choruses that destroy the song. They started well but must have run out of ideas for this song.

Sun For The World - 6.5/10 Starts off with a sitar and an incredibly powerful riff. Excellent start. Another mediocre chorus, but better this time as it posses more melody than "Liar". Overall a decent song.

Don't Stop Being Crazy - 8.5/10 This time I am not going to duduct anything for the title as it is the music I am trying to judge. But someone must warn these guys, next time I will not be so kind. This is a slower song. A ballad of sorts. Brilliantly sung verses and melodic choruses. The guitar work gives this song that special something and together with the orchestra makes this one of the best songs here.

Do You Feel Good - 3.5/10 Again I was tempted to deduct some points for the stupid song title, this time even more as the lyrics are very stupid too. But since this song is not gonna get too high of a score I must be nice. The only decent thing here is the guitar playing, solos and melodies. Seems to be an experimental song, but they should know better than experiment after the humiliation that were "Pink Bubbles Go Ape" and even more "Chamaleon".

Hell Was Made In Heaven - 9/10 One of my favourites songs here. Powerful and melodic. Excellent riffs and off course guitar work that seems to come from heaven. You wouldn't expect such a good song after such a bad one. But it happens often with this band. Listen to the drummer. He is so good on this song here.

Back Against The Wall - 4/10 Maybe I'm being too nice. I don't like the choruses at all, the riffs are good and the guitar melody is also good but the main parts of the songs lack a lot. The break in the middle of the song is pathetic.

Listen To the Flies - 6/10 I think we are breaking some kind of record with the number of stupid titles in this album. But the song here is decent. Fast with strong riffs, plenty of guitar and singing melodies. Brilliant Brilliant guitar work once again.

Nothing To Say - 6.5/10 Perfect Opening Riff, perfect guitar work. This is another experimental song, and coming from Helloween it usually means I can make fun of it. But this time I think they were really trying hard. I mean the song is over 8 minutes. Ok the choruses are extremely weird, more Raggae than metal. Everytime I hear that part I laugh. But the rest of the song is decent and some parts are pretty good. Especially towards the end when there are no more rasta beats and the song's melody takes over. A good way to end the album.

So is this album good enough to buy. Definitely. Nowhere near their best but far far far far far away from their worst. I must admit that I like it more and more everytime I hear it.

For first time listeners to Helloween I recommend "Master Of The Rings", "Time Of The Oath", and "Better Than Raw". If you are into Epic Metal a lot the I recommend the two parts of "Keeper Of The Seven Keys", and if you enjoy a heavier sound try "Dark Ride".