I did not approve HELLOWEEN's move to release a third part in the Keeper Of The Seven Keys; I thought that by this release they wanted to fully exploited the success of the first two parts that clearly belong to the band's prime era (aka the Hansen/Kiske years). Fortunately, the Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy album turned to be a very good one, that was one of the best with Andi Deris behind the microphone. The tour that followed the album, was so successful that lead to the release of the live recorded DVD Live On Three Continents. Obviously, HELLOWEEN were so re-amped and refreshed that they started writing new material while on the tour bus and after less than 2 years we have on our hands the brand new album entitled Gambling With The Devil.
The album opens with a spoken intro Crack The Riddle by Biff Byford from SAXON who is also a good friend of the band. Kill It sounds like the classic fast opener (as Push) with a significant difference; Deris has apparently discovered a new singing technique and move up his vocal pitch making the track almost Thrash! The Saints is next and the guitars continue to be on the frontline; as Daniel Loble explained to the METAL TEMPLE (read the interview in the following days) the band was kind of inspired by the Keeper Of The Seven Keys composing process and eventually re-discovered themselves. As Long As I Fall is the classic Deris era track with minor piano arrangement and a catchy chorus that is some way reminds me If I Could Fly but with far better guitar work. I really enjoyed Deris' vocal lines on the fast Paint A New World where Grosskopf's bass guitar doodle builds a solid rhythm section. The catchy main melody of Final Fortune will set anchor on your mind while you'll get blown away by more vocal experimentation during the classic German Power Metal track The Bells Of The 7 Hells. Fallen To Pieces is the only ballad-like song with additional keyboard melodies and is followed by the groovy rhythm guitars in I. M. E.. The mediocre Can Do It follows the classic happy and uplifting trademark pattern when the twin guitars in Dreambound and Heaven Tells No Lies remind us of the prime and glory HELLOWEEN days.
Without any doubt, this album is better than Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy and apparently takes its place in my personal best of Deris album list. Deris proves to be a hard working musician and I think he deserves additional credit since he is the one who kept HELLOWEEN alive all these years. At last I can say to you that this is definitely a HELLOWEEN album and advice you to get it without second thought!