The cover artwork evokes the previous Helloween albums Keeper Of The Seven Keys and Master Of The Rings; which isn’t a bad way to think about the content within.
After the band’s classic and genre-defining Keeper Of The Seven Keys 1&2 albums, the band changed directions with Pink Bubbles Go Ape and Chameleon. Master Of The Rings saw the band stepping back a little to the direction the fans wanted while also trying new ideas as well and with Time Of The Oath, the band mix the best of the old and new styles and really nail down one of their best directions, performances and albums overall.
The album is absolutely chocked full of quality songs, some of the best in the band’s career.
There are some brilliant ragers like “We Burn” “Steel Tormentor” “Before The War” and the concert favourite “Power.” There’s the two great multi-part numbers “Mission Motherland” and the Title Track. Then of course there’s the bouncy and incredibly fun, (if a little silly) “Anything My Momma Don’t Like.”
If you like guitar solos, melodic vocals and speedy drums, then this album is really worth checking out. It may take a while to get used to, especially if you haven’t heard Derris-Helloween before, but it really rewards perseverance. No Power Metal fan should be without it.
Overall; Time Of The Oath is one of the best Helloween albums to date. It contains a good mixture of the band’s Thrashier, Slower and More Melodic material all in one package. It’s a real grower and gets better with each repeat listen.
I know very little about Helloween. I enjoyed this, thanks.
LikeLike
Check out the Title Track to Keeper Of The Seven Keys; that oughta put a smile on anyone’s face!
LikeLike
I will! Thanks!
LikeLike
I could never get into Helloween with Deris at all. I did see them live once and they were OK. Sounds like this might be worth revisiting at some point.
LikeLike
It took me ages to get into Deris-Helloween. Albums seemed about four songs too long, too many ballads, too many joke songs and a slightly different vocal tone than I wanted… but one it clicked, boy did it click!
This is probably one of their heaviest and most consistent albums, but the whole run from here along the next four albums is great.
There’s a lot of good to be found in Deris-Helloween. Check out “Sole Survivor” “Before The War” “Falling Higher” “All Over The Nations” “Liar” and “The Bells Of Seven Hells”
LikeLike