Oct 10, 2022
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Time For the Freedom
I have been hyped to see Helloween for three years, and then of course overly-hyped for the past eleven months since I actually bought a ticket. I have been waiting and I now only have five more days to wait through. First, where did all that time go? Second, my brain is legitimately freaking out. I’m seeing the band that pulled me out of the darkest hole I’ve ever been in in just FIVE days.
Friday, September 21: Helloween, “Occasion Avenue”
“Occasion Avenue” was the stronger of the two epics on the mostly pointless Keeper of the Seven Keys – The Legacy, and worked in large part because it had nothing to do with the nebulous Keeper concept. Helloween’s 11th album wasn’t a waste of time- it was another perfectly consistent record that maintained the band’s surprising dependability since Andi Deris joined in 1994- but there was no reason to stick the Keeper label on it other than as a cash grab, especially since it sounded nothing like those ‘80s masterworks (it was also placed on two discs even though all 13 songs could’ve fit on one). But while the attempt to drive sales through name association was pathetic, “Occasion Avenue” was a splendid Deris composition full of atmosphere, dynamics, and super-catchy hooks. By this point, Deris had fronted Helloween longer than any of their previous singers, and dominated the writing, but he knew exactly how to play to each member’s strengths, so the whole band shined. The verses were ominous but melodic, the riffs bounced and charged, and the drumming was never less than propulsive. Best of all, even with the stops, starts and tempo changes, the track never overstayed its welcome and earned its 10+ minute running time. Speaking of longevity, this album was the first to feature the current iteration of Helloween, which has remained shockingly stable ever since.
A drawing of Dani Loble that I did for his Birthday last year.
Dani himself liked it and I’m still fangirling over it, despite it happening over a year ago.
Reason #17 why I love Michael Weikath: he designed the seven pronged star on the cover of 7 Sinners.
And I had a lot of fun drawing it. :D
I drew this last month right before the Pumpkins United tour started.
And I drew Markus’ tattoos for the very first time.
Look who’s back and with awesome news!
I got a ticket to see Helloween on the Pumpkins United Tour!!! I’m travelling all the way from my home in Florida to Chicago next year to see the most important band to ever enter my life ~ Helloween. Waiting ten months is going to be difficult, but, I’m still so excited!!! I’m also getting to see Sabaton again next year as well as Kreator.
Also... let’s see what else I’ve been up to. Not much. I did manage to get a copy of Helloween’s Metal Jukebox and the Japanese edition of Better Than Raw this year.
And I never posted it here, but I bought my first guitar in March! It’s a blue Epiphone Les Paul Traditional PRO-II and I love it almost as much as I love Helloween.
If you’re really interested in anything I post or just want to follow elsewhere, my Instagram username is hellowarrior94 and my DeviantArt name is HeartMongerSam.
DeviantArt
HELLOWEEN Dani Löble 2007.
image from japanese music magazine 〝BURRN!〟Nov/2007.
Photo by Hans-Martin-Issler.
◆Image design by Shinsui F-Works.