German metallers HELLOWEEN continue the reissue of their back catalog on CD with fresh remasters and bonus tracks. ”Chameleon (Remastered 2024)” is the band’s fifth studio album, their last to feature singer Michael Kiske, as well as their last with original drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg.
”Chameleon” is controversial HELLOWEEN album, where the band needed to experiment new things. There’s rapid rockers as usual, but also ballads, commercial poppy songs, and even a couple of bluesier tracks. First time fans hate this record, while many newcomers like it, saluting the band for not repeating themselves.
”Chameleon (Remastered 2024)” physical version / 2-CD comes with a bonus disc featuring many B-sides from the singles / EP’s released from the album.
Opener ”First Time” is catchy rocker, commercial, with a ‘pumping’ rhythm and cool catchy chorus. But second song, ”When the Sinner”, is quite shocking for Helloween standards, as it relies more on keys than guitars and a midtempo atmosphere. Yeah, it’s got a guitar solo but not what you’re expecting to hear from Helloween.
”I Don’t Wanna Cry No More” follows and it is a touching acoustic song written by Roland Grapow about the death of his brother. As a ballad, this song is decent, on the emotional side. A bluesy shuffle and synth-horns appear on ‘Crazy Cat’ and even though it is an uptempo track, it is not heavy at all and is more swing and boogie woogie than head banging. Sounds like a song for a movie, fun.
Finally on the fifth song ”Giants”, Helloween puts together a riff that could be considered fairly heavy. It’s quite epic, with some feeling similar to Yngwie at the same time, 1993.
”Windmill” is a slow, lullaby type of song. Sure, it sounds pleasant enough and has a nice melody but honestly…what were they thinking? ”Revolution Now” is next and there’s more experimentation, pretty heavy and dark ala Queensryche. Interesting song.
”In the Night” follows and once again things go acoustic, yet with dynamics. Not a ballad, but a campfire type of song.
By the ninth song, Chameleon throws at you a lengthy and ambitious number titled ‘Music’. Again very different form the rest, there’s a lot of ’70s influences here, bluesy at places, with orchestrations, and various arrangements.
‘Step Out of Hell’ is next and with a title like that, it must be hard rocking metal right? Wrong! And the synthesisers tell you that right from the start of the song. It’s a strong song anyway.
”I Believe” is the longest track on the album and also one of the best. Once again it’s not exactly head banging but powerful. It is also accompanied by an orchestra, with great vocals, great solos and a great atmosphere are all present as it all comes together.
The album finally ends with ‘Longing’, yet another acoustic number with some more orchestration. Again, a good track yet far from the Hellowen ’80s metal.
While criticized by its too much variation on diverse musical genres, ”Chameleon” delivers some solid musical performances and some great vocals from Kiske. Individually the songs are better than my quote would indicate and they do grow on you in time.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
01. First Time (2024 Remaster) (05:29)
02. When the Sinner (2024 Remaster) (06:54)
03. I Don't Wanna Cry No More (2024 Remaster) (05:11)
04. Crazy Cat (2024 Remaster) (03:29)
05. Giants (2024 Remaster) (06:32)
06. Windmill (2024 Remaster) (05:14)
07. Revolution Now (2024 Remaster) (08:04)
08. In the Night (2024 Remaster) (05:35)
09. Music (2024 Remaster) (07:01)
10. Step Out of Hell (2024 Remaster) (04:21)
11. I Believe (2024 Remaster) (09:11)
12. Longing (2024 Remaster) (04:15)
Helloween – Chameleon (2024 Remaster) , MP3+FLAC
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