Metal Reviews

You know, I've always avoided this Helloween album because of its awful reputation. The cover art and the song titles did little to change my mind.

Anyway, I listened to it today for the first time, and seriously, it was nowhere near as bad as its made out to be. In fact I would go so far as to say it was quite good. I know there's a bunch of Holy_Terror's out there adamant that No Hansen = No Helloween, but I really don't see how this album has such an atrocious reputation.

Some awful lyrics and the odd "huh?" moment aside, it really doesn't stray that far from the usual Helloween formula. Is it just the let-down factor after Keeper 2?

Opinions?

Pink Bubbles Go Ape is in my opinion an awesome album, I would say its as good in terms of quality and songwriting as the keeper-albums. Goin' Home, Number One, Mankind and The Chance are instant classics. The only song that is bad on the album, and this song fucking sucks, is Im Doin' Fine Crazy Man.

Believe it or not both PBGA and Chameleon are pretty decent albums yeah some songs you can do without but on both albums they do have some kickass tunes.

It's a shame that Kiske left to persue a more softer side of rock oh well Deris is a pretty good vocalist himself no Kiske but he will do.

Hahaha! I was going to do this thread! I downloaded it right after I did the Chameleon poll and I think it may be better than Chameleon, if not just as good! It's definitely not as bad as it's made out to be! Not classic Helloween by any means, but for what it is, it is very good. It's hard to really place this album and Chameleon up against any other Helloween record. They should both be taken out of the Helloween context. If you can do that, you can enjoy this album. "I'm Doing Fine, Crazy Man" and "Heavy Metal Hamsters" pretty much suck, but overall it's a decent album.

I'm definitely now on the hunt for this album! It shall complete my Helloween collection.

Speaknig of this album, Michael Kiske is in a new band with Dennis Ward of PC69. From what I've heard, it's outstanding European melodic hard rock in the vein of PC69.

PBGA is also more of a hard rock album, especially when compared to Keepers 1 & 2. For those of you who like PBGA, I think you might want to keep an eye out on Kiske's new band Place Vendome. As soon as we can get it, we'll review it.

I will give Place Vendome a try, but I hold little hope it will be good. Kiske's two solo albums and singles have been pretty boring, and Supa Red was terrible. I don't mind what Kiske does music-wise, if it's good I will like it, but he's done nothing good since leaving Helloween except do some killer guest spots on other peoples' albums.

His solo CDs aren't really bad, there's just nothing very striking about them. I don't know, I'll check this new band out, but with ZERO expectations.

I get shivers whenever I just see the name of this album, I will likely die without ever listening to it.

Yeah, Supared was terrible. That album is like looking at a girl Saturday night and thinking that she's gorgeous, only to wake up next her naked and sobered up Sunday morning realizing that she actually weighs 200 pounds and has facial hair.

I remember when we got that promo and I saw Kiske's name on it, got all excited, played the CD, but was let down big time.

At least Place Vendome involved PC69 members. That leads me to believe that it might actually be good melodic rock / metal instead of Supared like shit.

What's in a name?

PLACE VENDOME CLIP #1
PLACE VENDOME CLIP #2

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Doesnt seem THAT bad, but it doesnt seem too good either. Not excited.

Right. Hence me falling asleep!

Well, I've heard the whole Place Vendome album now. There are a handful of up tempo tracks (not power metal), but mostly the album consists of softer tunes. Unlike Supared, the songwriting and musicianship are excellent. To vent a little, the musicians that Kiske had with him in Supared sound like a bunch of hacks. Nothing interesting about their playing, or their songwriting.

Kiske sounds great on this disc! This time, he has really surrounded himself with talent (PC69). However, the prolonged lack of energy for long stretches on this album is to its detriment. If 2 of the slower songs were replaced with even mid tempo rockers, I think we'd be talking about a potential masterpiece. Still, for fans of AOR and hard rock, this release will have a lot to offer.

I'll have a more concrete opinion after a few more listens....

Potential masterpiece?? :shock: :shock: I'll have to download it now. Two 60-second clips haven't convinced me, but we'll see...

I should add a disclaimer to my "potential masterpiece" comment. This will apply to fans of aor/melodic rock mostly. Since Kiske is involved, many will inevitably be disappointed that this is not Keepers style metal, or at least hard rocking from start to finish. Even for me, I think replacing a couple of the slower tempo songs with at least mid tempo tracks would still be needed to make this a potential materpiece for me. In fact, a lot of this album reminds me of the softer sound that TNT has adopted over the past couple releases. Quality songs, but the balance of slow to rocking songs is going to be an issue, I know. Not as much of an issue with the aor/hard rock fans, but I can see many fans blasting this album for being too calm. Still, I do think the musicianship and songwriting is excellent, even if I do think some additional uptempo moments would be nice.

I agree with Mike it's decent AOR hard rock stuff better then Kiske's other stuff.

Still I wish he would go back into metal just once.I miss him hitting those high notes :(

Why won't he just join Lost Horizon? :(

Because he hates metal.

Well, I'll like it if the songs are good. I know people here probably are sick of reading me type that, but it's true. I listen to AOR/melodic rock. We'll see, though.

Pedant.