Straight Out of Hell

Straight Out of Hell is a record on which Helloween sounds the briskness of power metal head-on through fast rhythm, bright sharp guitar and soaring choruses. Adding richer melody and variety to the aggression of the previous 7 Sinners, it turns out a balanced record. By deftly placing not only speed songs but mid-tempos and melody-focused passages, rich dynamics arise. From the grandeur of the opening epic “Nabataea” and the speed of “World of War” to the positive lift of “Live Now!” and the momentum of the title track “Straight Out of Hell,” the songs show varied faces, while a cut like “Burning Sun” adds color. Humor, drama and fist-raising hooks coexist. A mature ease and lightness natural to a band deep into a long career are not lost at all. It unites aggression and the appeal of straight-ahead melodic metal at a high level. It is a fulfilling record that lets you fully reaffirm the fun of the power metal Helloween does best.