Helloween – Ride The Sky – The Very Best of 1985-1998

Helloween…been a long time fan, and remember buying “Walls Of Jericho”, “Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 1&2” on vinyl in the mid 80s. The band who singlehandedly created the European Power Metal template with both “Keeper” albums, and the songs found on this Best Of: ‘Future World’, ‘Eagle Fly Free’, ‘I Want Out’, ‘Halloween’, and ‘Dr. Stein’.

But, let’s not forget their early beginnings with guitarist Kai Hansen on vocals for this first E,p, and album “Walls Of Jericho”, where their sound was less polished, not as melodic, heard on the aptly titled ‘Murderer’, and now classic ‘Ride The Sky’ which often shows up live for both Helloween, and Hansen’s long running band Gamma Ray. On this twelve song compilation, you also get one from their more commercial period, “Pink Bubbles Go Ape’ (‘Kids Of The Century’), that also includes the album “Chameleon” which you get two from if you pick up the 2-disc edition. Following the departure of Kai Hansen in the late 80s, and singer Michael Kiske in 1993, Helloween regrouped, regained their classic sound and stylings for the excellent album “Master Of The Rings” in 1994 – represented by ‘Why?’ and ‘Steel Tormentor’. Empowering anthem ‘Power’ off “Time Of The Oath”, and radio rocker ‘I Can’ from “Better Than Raw” complete a great three album trilogy in the 90s.

This is the edition available in America which are only a single disc, and have about a song or two from almost every one of the band’s albums that were released by Noise. While you get a good smathering of their music, and several often played in concert, it is recommended to get the two disc edition because you get more tracks, and to hear more of the bands range of songwriting. This very important to hearing the scope of Helloween’s music for sure! Each of these releases includes an additional booklet, featuring comprehensive liner notes of the bands history. Also in the first series are compilations from Running Wild, Grave Digger, Sinner, Skyclad, and Tankard.