Metal Reviews

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As everybody was talking about this album I really had high hopes for a power-metal masterpiece. Heck, new Gamma Ray kept on rocking, Helloween rules, why not Kiske.

Apparently Kiske's heart was somewhere else, but it's obvious he put a lot of heart and effort in this album.

The album is definitely not KotSK. But it's so great I can't stop spinning. Now even though all songs are nice, and really none of them feel like fillers, there just some of them who are not as memorable as the others.
Okay, time for another spin, now

This album really surprised me. I love it!

After hearing the soundbytes over here I think it's some very nice melodic rock although I'm with a lot of people in saying that I wish Kiske would go back to metal but as far as this it's some nice melodic rock.

Yeah, I'd love to hear Kiske doing power metal again too. However, I don't want him to release a half hearted metal album is he doesn't have his heart in it. I enjoy melodic rock too, so Kiske becoming a master of this genre is fine with me too.

Over the years, the Helloween "family" has grown to include
- Gamma Ray
- Masterpan
- Place Vendome

Not bad. Additionally, Helloween did a fantastic job on Keepers part 3, despite Kiske not being a part of it. As far as I'm concerned, I'll just sit back and enjoy what these bands provide us with instead of hoping for something that isn't.

I don't know who would have expected a metal album from Kiske. He's said it a million times that metal isn't his thing anymore. Of course, guesting on 50 metal albums a year confuses things, but whatever. =)

Have you heard Shock Machine and Grapow's solo albums? They're not bad, not amazing, but good.

Yeah, I like Grapow's stuff. Not amazing, but good nonetheless.

Never heard any Shock Machine. How do they sound?

It's like straightforward metal/heavy rock. There are a few really kick ass tunes on it, but the majority of the songs are just kind of...meh. You know? I think a better vocalist with more range would have suited the album a lot better. There's also a cover of an Ozzy song, but which one is slipping my mind right now, "Steal Away (The Night)," I think.

Anyway, it's worth picking up if you can find it cheap. I wouldn't suggest paying more than $6 for it, though.

Oh I agree with you Mike that it's wishful thinking for Kiske to return to his roots in metal but we can only dream can't we!!!!!!!

And yeah we got some good post Helloween bands like Masterplan so the guys that left didn't waste anytime in creating some good bands.

Listening to this album I can's say I care if he ever gets back into metal, if I want to listen to his singingvoice Place Vendome is as good place as any. I hope he stays in this band and release alot of albums, top notch.

I think it's closer to Kiske's solomaterial than Helloween though.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!! SHAME!! I hope it's not close to the "suck" on his solo material.

vendôme is the train stop i get off at eveyday when i go to school

I don't know what you are talking about.

Do you like Kiske's solo albums?

I don't dislike them.

I just downloaded this album. Waaaaaay better than Kiske's solo stuff. "Sign Of The Times" and "Cross The Line" are killer tunes, the album would have been high 90's if they followed this heavier, hookier approach. Still, not a bad album at all.

I downloaded this album a while back, and am just now getting around to listening to it. It is a huge suprise. I am very impressed and have added it to my top five rock albums of the year. Solid release.

Great hard Rock record, Kinske's Voice is still top notch and Ward's songwritting at its finest. However nowadays 10 songs in a CD is pretty few, maybe another uptempo hard rock tune will rounded the effort.

I won't say I'm impressed... i'm not.. still, this is a very good surprise and a return to form for post-Helloween Michael Kiske...

but, god !, do the name suck... for the record it's the place where are the more expensive jewelery stores in Paris... is that suitable for a hard/heavy rock band ? I think not... so this won't sell much in France (add to the crappy name the bad reputation Kiske have had this last few years) and it's a bad thing because it's a nice album.

hope it finds its way in other countries....

70/100

NP
Domine "Dragonlord" (average italian PM)

I take back my claim of it getting high 90's with heavier songs, high 80's.