Leaving a Better Impression Than Initially Anticipated - A Review of Helloween's 7 Sinners

Helloween's fifteenth studio album 7 Sinners was announced as the band's heaviest release ever which already made me fear the worst after the overtly aggressive loudness war production that had worn down overrated predecessor Gambling with the Devil. Cringe-worthy single ''Are You Metal?'' with its sudden high-speed passages and pseudo-tough vocals didn't inspire much confidence either. However, the final result is much more balanced than expected and a slight step forward for the band even though an obvious hit might be missing on this output.

Opener ''Where the Sinners Go'' for instance has an aggressive sound but is based in mid-tempo and focuses on more atmospheric vocal lines as the band covers new ground. Only the chugging guitar sounds in the verses are somewhat nerve-firing while other elements such as the tribal drum patterns in the chorus can be perceived as successful experiments. Overall, the positive elements outweigh the negative ones and make for a very good but not excellent opener.

Another creative tune is ''Raise the Noise'' that starts as powerful heavy metal anthem but takes some interesting turns with a hard rock guitar solo and some surprising flute sounds in the bridge where the band explores folk music territories for the very first time. This unusual mixture needs some time to grow but immediately grabs the listener's attention and the experiment pays off in my ears.

''The Smile of the Sun'' offers a welcome break with harmonious piano melodies, decently employed string sections and variable vocal performance leading to a convincing power ballad. This song finds the perfect balance between energy and harmony.

If compared to its immediate predecessor, Helloween's 7 Sinners doesn't lose as much steam towards the end as even the bonus tracks are decent and there are no stinkers to be found. Since the opening tunes are however less impressive than on the predecessor, we almost have a tie here. Personally, I would however slightly prefer this output due to its balance, consistency and creativity.

At the end of the day, Helloween fans can't go wrong with 7 Sinners. Anyone listening to contemporary heavy and power metal should dig this album. It can't compete with the band's greatest outputs but has some hidden gems that are worth being discovered.

Final Rating: 72%