Despite its title, "Gambling With The Devil" is pretty standard stuff from the Germans, at least from what they have been doing up to this point during the 21st century. It is heavier power metal that leans on being catchy and epic, and also has some humour to it hopefully. The band has created this solid formula that works for most times, and while I do not think it is broken here, it just does not have the same impact this time around. Could be that I have heard similar, but better, songs previously made by the band, but there is something off with this record.
One explanation could be that this is one of the lighter records in recent memory. Sure, we still get our dose of bone crushing metal, like the insanely aggressive "Kill It" and the chugging "Paint A New World", but there are more songs in here that either lowers the tempo, or has a softer touch to it, and it would be nothing wrong in doing such songs as long as they hold a reasonably good standard, which they unfortunately do not. The first single "As Long As I Fall" is not only ridiculous in its meaning (trust me guys, you will hit the ground eventually), but it is one of the lamest Helloween songs I have heard, not offering anything of substance. Then we have "Heaven Tells No Lies", which is just all out forgettable, which is not good normally, but it is even worse since this is the track that ends the album. A disappointing way to close things up. I do think though that "Fallen To Pieces" is proof that the band can do more light types of tracks, because this is one of the more epic ones of the record with its orchestral incorporation and a varied solo that takes some unexpected turns.
The biggest problem with the record though is that it just is not memorable. I have listened to it a whole bunch, but there are just a few songs that sticks with me. Not saying that the songs are not catchy, but you forget about them as soon as they are over, which just shows that they do not have that impact that you would want from a Helloween tune. "The Saints" is a pretty good example of this, it is a catchy song that has all the tools to become a great track, but it fails at punching it in, mostly thanks to that it is a carbon copy of what Helloween has previously done. This is also why more original songs like "I.M.E." and "Can Do It" stands out more, they do not remind us of any previously made song.
This is a surprisingly frustrating record, because there is quality in here for sure, but it is quality we already knew the band possessed, so it does not have that lasting impact. "Gambling With The Devil" is definitely a record you can take for a spin now and again, fully enjoying the experience every time, so it honestly does not do much wrong. It is however a more laid back version of Helloween we get, which keeps it from reaching those high levels. It seemed like a safe bet from the start, setting up for a sure fire jackpot, but I guess good old Beelzebub has tricked us once again, leaving us with a decent, but forgettable, record.
Songs worthy of recognition: Fallen To Pieces, Kill It, Paint A New World
Rating: 6,5/10 Saints
www.helloween.org/
twitter.com/helloweenorg
More reviews of Helloween
Walls of Jericho
Keeper of The Seven Keys: Part 1
Keeper of The Seven Keys: Part 2
Pink Bubbles Go Ape
Chameleon
Master of The Rings
The Time of The Oath
Better Than Raw
The Dark Ride
Rabbit Don't Come Easy
Keeper of The Seven Keys: The Legacy
7 Sinners
Straight Out of Hell
My God-Given Right
No comments:
Post a Comment