AERONAUTICS

I've been fan of Helloween for some time, though not so big fan nowadays, but still. I bought this album almost right after it came out, January of 2005, over a year ago. Then, I loved this album. Now, I enjoy this, and like this album. I agree with the others, that this is not progressive music. I have no idea what Masterplan is doing here, but whatever the reason is, here goes:

The first track is one of the best in the album. 'Crimson Rider' starts with good orchestreral keyboards and ambient noises of plane about to crash. The track is very swift and ends to early, but still very good track. 'Back for My Life' is kind of a metal ballad. Lyrics are about forgiveness and crying for lost love. Very lame actually. The riffing is quite basic, nothing special about the track. 'Wounds' is very pop song. Very happy feeling in the chorus. Solo is very original. Listenable song. 'I'm not afraid' is very fine track. Good keyboard intro. Very mellow verse and good mid tempo feeling. Easy goin' chorus. Fine guitar solo. 'Headbanger's Ballroom' is very heavy and metal song. A heavy metal song. Slow metal riffing. And poppy chorus. 'After This War' is fine ballad. Soft vocals and calm theme. Fine track. 'Into the Arena' is very high tempo, fast track. Very power metal styled song. Enjoyable track. 'Dark from the Dying' is my favourite track after the 'Black in the Burn'. Very metal track with creepy vocals in the verse. Good chorus. 'Falling Sparrow' is very Masterplan styled song. Very catchy chorus with good vocals. Very good track, easy to listen. The last track is 'Black in the Burn'. Good keyboard intro with nice vocals. The metal strikes almost instantly though. Very good keyboards in the track. Very melodic track with good metal riffing everywhere. Great vocals too. Catchy chorus. This is the definitely the best track in the album. Because of its length, this track is the only track in the album that reminds progressive music. Album highlights: 'Crimson Rider', 'Dark from the Dying', 'Black in the Burn'.

As said before, this music is not progressive, it is heavy and power metal. I enjoy this band, and think that this album deserves 4 stars, but I can't give that good rating here. Good metal music, but I have to give 2 stars, and "Collectors and fans only" because here that is the correct title in my opinion. If you are a fan, this album is must have, but assuming that you own this one already. If you are looking for progressive metal, walk away.