Helloween are one of the biggest names within power metal, and stand as one of the cornerstones and founders of the genre. As this legendary band turns 40, what better way to celebrate than releasing a 42 track long, remastered, Best Of album called March Of Time.
The tracks selected showcase the history of the band, allowing long time fans to reminisce about tracks they grew up with, and allow new fans to take a deep dive into everything the band has to offer. One huge upside is that any tracks taken from the band's earlier albums have never sounded better. The modern mixing hasn’t taken anything away, but instead left a clearer mix where the iconic dual lead guitars shine through stronger than ever. Tracks taken from Walls Of Jericho are given a new energy through this mix and given time to truly shine, and the tracks taken from both the Keeper of The Seven Keys albums are ingrained into many metalheads and they truly come alive here. The two iconic singles from this era, ‘Future World’ and ‘I Want Out’, are the best they have ever sounded - there’s a reason they brought so many fans towards the band. Yet now they have a new lease of life, and will be enjoyed by metalheads for another 40 years.
The release doesn’t just spend the time on the more popular tracks that Helloween have released, but celebrates everything the band has done. Although nothing chosen is a super deep cut, it’s still a great variety that features stuff from plenty of the less popular albums. The compilation obviously will not be everything the band has ever released - that would be a LONG album - but works well in telling the band’s story. Notably, the Andi Deris era gets a good variety of tracks on the album, as many other collections of the band’s music tends to overlook it. Having this level of coverage works well as an introduction for newer fans as it gives them a taste of every album, and frankly even some of the older fans will be less aware of these tracks, so will definitely enjoy the opportunity to rediscover them.
The modern era of the band, that with two lead singers, is also featured on this compilation. This era shows best what makes Helloween a special band who are still developing their legacy. Not many bands would write anthems such as ‘Pumpkins United’ as a love letter to what the band stands for. At the time of release, it marked the return of Kiske to the band, but as time has passed it stands as an anthem celebrating where the band are, two lead singers united in one band. Filled with references to past songs, it’s a perfect choice to be included on this compilation. Including other tracks such as ‘Skyfall’ which also features dual vocals that works to celebrate where the band is now. Both vocalists did great work when they were the only vocalist in the band, but this modern era shows how joyous they are as a pair. As there is only one full studio album from this era there isn’t as much material to select from, but this is how the band exists, and this is what the band is moving forward.
March Of Time is a truly great compilation album, and its impressive 42 track long length allows it to explore and celebrate the band. There’s a great variety of tracks that show everything the band has done. However, there isn’t any rare material so for the fan with everything already it may not be the best package. But - it is still a great compilation for those who have just found the band, or those who want to have a curated experience of the band they love.
Score: 7/10
March Of Time will be released on March 28th 2025 via BMG.
Words: Will Freeman
Photo: Martin Hausler
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