Helloween – Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II (1988)
Released in 1988, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II by Helloween is widely regarded as one of the greatest power metal albums of all time. Serving as the follow-up to the groundbreaking Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I, the album expanded the band's melodic sound while delivering some of the most iconic songs in heavy metal history.
The album was released on August 29, 1988 through Noise Records and features the classic lineup of Michael Kiske, Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf, and Ingo Schwichtenberg.
With its combination of speed, melody, and epic storytelling, the album helped define the blueprint for European power metal and inspired countless bands that followed.
Album Overview
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Artist: Helloween
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Album: Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II
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Release Date: August 29, 1988
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Genre: Power Metal, Heavy Metal
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Label: Noise Records
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Producer: Tommy Hansen & Helloween
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Recording Studio: Horus Sound Studio, Hannover, Germany
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Album Length: 53:38
The album continued the fantasy-themed concept introduced in Part I and featured some of the band’s most memorable compositions.
Tracklist
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Invitation
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Eagle Fly Free
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You Always Walk Alone
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Rise and Fall
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Dr. Stein
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We Got the Right
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March of Time
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I Want Out
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Keeper of the Seven Keys
Track Highlights
Eagle Fly Free
One of the most famous power metal songs ever recorded, known for its soaring vocals and blazing guitar riffs.
Dr. Stein
A playful yet powerful track with humorous lyrics inspired by the Frankenstein story.
I Want Out
Perhaps the band’s most recognizable song, written by Kai Hansen and often interpreted as reflecting tensions within the band.
Keeper of the Seven Keys
A massive 13-minute epic that closes the album with progressive structures, fantasy storytelling, and dramatic musical shifts.
Album Credits
Band Members
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Michael Kiske – lead vocals
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Kai Hansen – guitars, backing vocals
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Michael Weikath – guitars
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Markus Grosskopf – bass
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Ingo Schwichtenberg – drums
Production Team
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Producer: Tommy Hansen & Helloween
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Engineer: Tommy Hansen
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Studio: Horus Sound Studio, Hannover
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Mixing: Tommy Hansen
Cover Art Design and Description
The album cover was illustrated by Freeman, whose artwork visually continues the mystical storyline from the previous album.
Cover Description
The artwork shows a glowing magical book containing the Seven Keys, surrounded by ancient symbols and cosmic energy. The imagery represents the mythical power capable of saving the world from evil forces.
Visual Style
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Fantasy and medieval symbolism
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Magical artifacts and glowing energy
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Deep blue and purple cosmic tones
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Mystical storytelling imagery
The cover became one of the most recognizable visuals in power metal history.
Fun Facts
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The song I Want Out became the band’s biggest international hit.
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Guitarist Kai Hansen left the band shortly after the album’s release due to touring pressure.
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The album’s epic closing track runs over 13 minutes long.
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Many fans consider this album the definitive power metal record.
Did You Know?
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After leaving Helloween, Kai Hansen formed the influential power metal band Gamma Ray.
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The track Dr. Stein features humorous lyrics inspired by Frankenstein-style mad scientist stories.
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The album strongly influenced later European metal bands such as Blind Guardian and Edguy.
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The “Keeper saga” is often considered one of the most important works in the history of power metal.
Commercial Performance and Ratings
Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II became a major success and remains the most famous album by Helloween.
Sales
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Estimated 1,000,000+ copies sold worldwide.
Chart Performance
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Germany: Top 20 albums chart
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Sweden: Top 40
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Strong popularity across Europe and Japan.
Ratings
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Metal Archives: ~95%
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AllMusic: 5/5
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Frequently ranked among the top power metal albums ever recorded.
Cultural Legacy
Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II helped establish the golden age of European power metal. Its melodic style, fantasy themes, and technical musicianship became a template for countless bands in the 1990s and beyond.
Even decades later, songs like Eagle Fly Free and I Want Out remain staples of metal playlists and live performances.
The album continues to inspire new generations of metal musicians and fans, cementing its place as one of the most important heavy metal releases of the 1980s.
Download Helloween Albums from Amazon Music
Helloween Full Discography by Labels
More Albums:
Helloween - Walls of Jericho (1985)
Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I (1987)
Helloween - Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991)
Helloween - Master of the Rings (1994)
Helloween - The Time of the Oath (1996)
Helloween - Better Than Raw (1998)
Helloween - Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003)
Helloween - Gambling with the Devil (2007)
