I don’t just write for this website you know, I actually read it avidly as well. I remember that in his review of Gotthard’s fabulous Made in Switzerland album Don Gibbs noted that many live recordings are either a) not really live or b) badly produced. Now, I can’t vouch for the validity of the live ness on the CD before us but courtesy of Charlie Bauerfeind (who I also remember produced the better version of Saxon’s new single), the sound is top quality. The set reproduced herein is essentially the same one that we reviewed roughly twelve months ago so you may well want to remind yourselves of what we thought back then by checking out the link at the bottom of this review. 

There are those out there who no longer listen to Helloween since Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen left. Those people are doing themselves a disservice, as this is an almost flawless disc. From beginning to end it is a masterpiece in everything that is joyous and uplifting about power metal. Mainly recorded in Sao Paulo in front a typical South American crowd (i.e. they sing every word and croon during songs) with bonus tracks recorded in Japan and the Czech Republic; this is all the Helloween anybody could possibly want. 

Just a swift look at the track listing is enough to make me salivate profusely. If there is a better triumvirate of songs than The Invisible Man, Mrs. God and I Want Out released this year then I want to hear them. The moment that I Want Out begins is one of those spine tingling moments that make you feel good about the world. This sequence also shows how well the newer material fits in with the established classics. Let’s be honest; as with most long established bands whose original members are no longer in the fold there is an awful amount of snobbery. Some feel that the current incarnation of Helloween were disrespectful and desperate when they went back to The Keys for the final part of the trilogy  

That’s not to say that the band stick only to the trilogy and Hell Was Made In Heaven makes an appearance sounding stronger on this record than it did originally on Rabbit Don’t Come Easy. The disc ends with two bonus tracks (which I suspect may actually be on all versions! So not much of a bonus then), Occasion Avenue then Halloween both of which are glorious.  

Helloween have, in their various guises been around for well over twenty years and if the vibrant performances on this CD are anything to go by; they may well be around for a lot longer yet.

Related Links:

Helloween - Live Review

Helloween - Keeper of The Seven Keys The Legacy CD Review

Let us know your views on 'The Legacy World Tour'

Track List

Intro
The Kings For A 1000 Years
Eagle Fly Free
Hell Was Made In Heaven
Keeper Of The Seven Keys
A Tale That Wasn't Right
Mr. Torture
If I Could Fly
Power
Future World
The Invisible Man
Mrs. God
I Want Out
Dr. Stein
Occasion Avenue
Halloween

 Line Up

Andi Deris - vocals
Michael Weikath - guitars
Sascha Gerstner - guitars
Markus Großkopf - bass
Dani Loeble - drums