Year: 2020
Total Time: 03:46:40
Label: Nuclear Blast
Recently the premier German heavy metal label Nuclear Blast Records unleashed the renewed and remastered versions of three of the more recent albums from another German premier heavy metal force, the legendary HELLOWEEN. These three albums were released between 2009 till 2013.
We will start chronologically the presentation with the first one, the compilation “Unarmed-Best Of 25th Anniversary” from 2009. As it is already known, this is a compilation of early HELLOWEEN songs from the Michael Kiske era, re-recorded from the start (or should I say “covered”) with Andy Peris on vocals. The only addition from the original release is the bonus track “Why” which was in the album “Master Of The Rings”. I don’t know if you’ve heard this album when it first came out, if not then it’s most probable that you won’t recognize any song, at least not until you reach the chorus. They are lighter, melodic versions, with some acoustic parts, maybe even more “summerish” (Ok, I’m done now) I could say. OK, they sound interesting, but as I am an old fan of a certain age I will pass it once again and move on with this review and and my life.
Next is the album “7 Sinners” which first came out in 2010. This new edition includes 3 bonus tracks, “I’m Free”, “Far In The Future” and “Faster We Fall” which were previously available only in the deluxe and Japanese editions of the album. This album was a success back then, with the hit “Are You metal” which is still played in the PUMPKINS UNITED tour and also tracks like “Who Is Mr. Madman”, “Long Live The King” and “If A Mountain Could Talk”. This was one of the very good albums from the after-Kiske era, I still think so too, so, considering the 3 bonus tracks, if you don’t have it you’d better get it this time.
For the end we have the “Straight Out Of Hell” from 2013. Like in the previous one, we have 3 bonus tracks from the deluxe and Japanese editions as well. These are “Another Shot Of Life”, “No Eternity” and “Burning Sun” on “Hammond version” (???). I was never fond of this one since I didn’t find but very few interesting facts in it, this opinion of mine remains unchanged till now 7 years later. And what’s the deal with this song “Asshole” towards the end, don’t see any use of it at all.
I will not grade this “package” as I don’t see a point on it, if you have to choose which one to buy, I totally suggest “7 Sinners”, if you are a true fan, try buying the great looking deluxe coloured vinyl versions for your collection or the nice digipack CD formats, other than that, we are all waiting for the epidemic to vanish in order to attend shows and tours once again and catch up with a PUMKINS UNITED show and enjoy the HELLOWEEN legacy once again.
Rating: N/A
Editor: Antonis Livanios
Related Link: HELLOWEEN – Official Page
