Treasure Chest

This double disc compilation by the German power metal pioneers is a great starting point for any new or casual fans but also die hards. "Treasure Chest" showcases the bands high points in the Keepers series and the low points found in "Pink Bubbles Go Ape" and "Chameleon". Also, the most popular songs are here with a few hidden gems.

Helloween's "Treasure Chest" ranks up there with some of the greates compilations ever like Judas Priest's "Metal Works '73-'93" and Iron Maiden's "Best of the Beast". This compilation is simply the best and most career spanding effort. This 15 year retrospective spands from their debut album, Walls Of Jericho to their latest entitled "The Dark Ride". This 29 song Best Of also has 5 of Helloween's best songs remixed.

This compilation has all Helloween's best songs. Some of these found on the first disc include the Keepers era classics like "I Want Out", "Future World", "Dr.Stein", "A Little Time" and "Eagle Fly Free". Found on "Treasure Chest" are the 13 minute epics "Halloween" and a remixed version of "Keeper Of The Seven Keys". There are also the very early and thrashy songs like "Starlight" and "Metal Invaders". As for second disc is concerned, more great songs are found like "Mr. Ego (Take Me Down)", "Kings Will Be Kings", "Mirror, Mirror", Perfect Gentleman" and "Immortal".

This compilation displays perfectly the great musicianship which created the power metal scene. It also gives the listener the opportunity to hear some great thrashy metal in a song like "Murderer" or a great ballad found in "Windmill". This double disc collection captures Helloween's best moments from every different era.

Also available is the special edition that comes with a third disc. Ths disc is mandatory to any die hard fan. It contains kick ass B sides including the great insrumentals "Oriental Journey" and a live preformance of "Moshi Moshi - Shiki No Uta". There is also a very good cover of the Judas Priest classic "The Hellion / Electric Eye".

In conclusion, it's been established over the course of this review that "Treasure Chest" is one of the greatest compilations, especially with the added third disc. The only potential problem with this retrospective is that some might not like the remixes but they are a different way of listening to classics. This treasure is great for long time fans and new comers to the German metal gods.