Helloween has done it again with a very dark album (both musically and lyrically), similar to 'The Dark Ride'. One complaint is that the drumming doesn't sound as dynamic as it has in the past, considering the great drummers Helloween has had (Ingo and Uli). "Crack the Riddle" has weird, carnival-like sound effects and a devilish voice which sets the stage for "Kill It" which is incredibly intense and super heavy. "The Saints" is the most typical sounding fast Helloween song, especially the guitar intro. "As Long As I Fall" is the first single, and starts out with some very creepy keyboards, but has some positive, uplifting lyrics overall. "Paint A New World" has an insane crunch and is a definite highlight, especially the chorus. "Final Fortune" has a definite groove and attitude and is another top highlight.
"The Bells of the 7 Hells" is a mean rocker with a mesmorizing chorus and some patented Helloween bass, and "Fallen to Pieces" is a ballad with severe crunch. "I.M.E." has a nice anthemic quality to it, and is driving as well, while "Can Do It" is another positive song in typical Helloween fashion. "Dreambound" is another song that purely rocks. Album closer "Heaven Tells No Lies" ends things in a heavy and epic fashion.
The Deris-written "Kill It" and "The Bells of the Seven Hells" are top highlights for heaviness, along with "Paint a New World" and "Final Fortune".

TRACK LIST:
1. Crack the Riddle (Intro)
2. Kill It
3. The Saints
4. As Long As I Fall
5. Paint A New World
6. Final Fortune
7. The Bells of the 7 Hells
8. Fallen to Pieces
9. I.M.E.
10. Can Do It
11. Dreambound
12. Heaven Tells No Lies

Review by Bryan Aguiar