The release of a live album is always a matter of long and passionate debate between the fans, and involves comparisons with past live releases of the same band, the list of the songs, and a whole universe of features. But things become harder and harder if the band is an old and famous name, then imagine the debates and talks about “Live at Budokan”, the new double live album of the German septet HELLOWEEN. First of all, one must have in mind that the band is famous for his classics that created models of music for the generations. Releases as “Walls of Jericho”, “Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I”, “Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II”, “The Time of the Oath” and others are sources of inspiration for many Heavy/Power Metal acts, and this live album is truly a homage for the band’s career (what will be explained in a better way below). And by the way: the live feeling that permeates the album is something to date, and the band can be said as one of the best live acts of Metal scene today!

The ‘core’ of a live album is the way it sounds to the ears, and in this point, “Live at Budokan” is truly near perfection: the sonority earned to the album (that was recorded at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan, on September 16, 2023), what means that the works of Charlie Bauerfeind (recording, mixing) and Sascha Bühren (mastering) is amazing, with everything loud, clean and with the differences from the studio versions (as long as the band’s lineup is different). It’s what one can expect from an experienced band on its peak, and it seems that few (or none) overdubs and digital corrections were done. The band is honest to the point of exposing itself how it is today.

Now, about the songs, the show was for the tour of “Helloween” (released on 2021), but the main setlist tries to cover the band’s full career, with songs from every important release of the band, lasting more than 2 hours. But even in this way, there are some annoying people complaining about it, forgetting that it’s impossible for any band to record a live album with all the fans’ favorites (imagine it when we are speaking of a veteran with more than 40 years releasing full-lengths). Then, to hear the live versions for these songs is a privilege.

On the disc 1: it opens with “Orbit” (the intro for the show, and makes reference to their past intros), followed by “Skyfall” (the main classic of “Helloween”, here on a version filled with the public getting insane, and what lovely vocals, with the lines of Andy, Michael and Kai being clear), “Eagle Fly Free” (the weight presented on the bass guitar and drums shows that Markus and Dany are getting along perfectly, and what great vocals, especially during the dialogue between Michael and the public), “Mass Pollution”, “Future World” (this version is truly great, with the guitars of Kai, Michael Weikath and Sascha creating the right ambiences for the public), “Power” (this one is a fine combination of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal with many hooks, with excellent parts from Andy), “Save Us” (a great song, but unexpected, here on a heavier and actual outfit), “Kai's Medley” (the tears came to my eyes, because this medley of Kai’s days on vocals with “Walls of Jericho”, “Metal Invaders”, “Victim of Fate”, “Gorgar”, the fiery hymn of “Ride the Sky” and “Heavy Metal (is the Law)” can touch older fans hearts, especially with such guitars and rhythms, and the sympathy of Kai is always great to be heard), and closes with “Forever and One (Neverland)” (one of the most accessible and melodic songs of “The Time of the Oath”).

On the disc 2: “Best Time” represents the present moment of the band, with charming contrasts on the vocals; and “Dr. Stein” (one of their mandatory and funny songs, and how lovely is to hear the public singing along with the band), “How Many Tears” (one of their first hits, here lasting more than 12 minutes, with three guitars sounding great both on the riffs and solos, lovely shifts between singers, and fine moments with the public taking part of the show), “Keeper of the Seven Keys” (another unexpected song, but always a great moment ), “Perfect Gentleman” (this is the song that rescued the band’s career after years of problems, and it’s a natural-born hit, with its melodic appeal, here endorsed by excellent bass guitar and drums parts) and “I Want Out” (another fun hit of the band’s career, once more with very heavy bass and drums moments) are songs that the fans love.

Once more: the debates about “Live at Budokan” will last for years and years, but no one can deny that it shows that HELLOWEEN still has too much to offer to its fans.