Like with any genre, it's hard to say exactly when power metal really started, but the general consensus seems to be that German band Helloween are the kings of it, and their 1987 second album, Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 1, remains the first "true" power metal album.
I've listened to their 1985 debut, Walls Of Jericho, and it's certainly more set in straight speed metal, but the song "Guardians" gave a taste of the melodiousness that was to eventually become a feature of the genre, although it also demonstrated the shortcomings of guitarist Kai Hansen's vocals, so the group did the sensible thing and brought in Michael Kiske to take over the microphone for this release.
I've seen this record, and its sequel, appear on numerous "Best" power metal lists, so it would be tempting to say I'm a bit disappointed by it, yet it's still really good, with such songs as "I'm Alive", "Twilight Of The Gods" and "Future World" proving to be very catchy. "Future World" also showcases the positive lyrics that heavy metal, traditionally, normally veers away from, but this genre likes to embrace, although there does not seem to be much in the way of fantasy lyrics that the album title and cover would suggest.
I'm loathed to say that the album is a bit too short, as one of the banes of nineties music was the grotesque overlength of so many releases from so many different artists, but maybe I just think there could have been one or two more songs, and maybe cut down the length of the thirteen-minute "Halloween".
Anyway, this is certainly an enjoyable listen, and one which might grow on me over time.
***1/2
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