Search - Michael Kiske :: Past in Different Ways

Amazing vocals and interesting arrangements

John | Greece | 05/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With his fifth solo album "Past In Different Ways", Michael Kiske revisits the songs written by him during his Helloween years (1987-1993). Tracks from Keeper Of The Seven Keys I & II, Pink Bubbles Go Ape and Chameleon are re-arranged acoustically. Even though Kiske's vocals are the main attraction of this release, several tracks manage to sound quite powerful and interesting in spite the fact they are performed in an acoustic manner.



Kiske has received constant criticism concerning his departure from Helloween, his detachment from metal music and his negative comments about the genre. With this record, which was an idea put forth by Frontiers Records, Michael tries to show that "...I don't reject my past just because I'm a different person today, and on the other hand it can maybe give people who were part of that past a different view at those songs".



Past In Different Ways is arranged in a way that showcases Kiske's incredible vocals. The songs have not been completely changed as the main riffs and melodies are still there. Some passages and solos have been altered, several songs are performed in a different key but most tracks are easily recognizable. Besides the acoustic guitars, which dominate the instrumental portion of the album; violins, trombones, trumpets, piano and accordion are used to enrich the sound of some of the songs.



There are several notable songs to be found here, but the best of the bunch are definitely the trio of opening tracks: 'You Always Walk Alone', 'We Got The Right' and 'I Believe'. All three tracks have strong melodies, tempo changes, well executed acoustic leads and solos, while they also provide a powerful and epic atmosphere; mainly due to Kiske's outstanding vocal performance. Other songs worth mentioning are the wonderfully altered 'Kids Of The Century', the up-beat 'When The Sinner', the beautiful ballad 'Your Turn' and a superb instrumental section with acoustic solos in 'Going Home'.



Kiske's voice truly shines in this recording. He has lost very little of the vocal power he possessed during the Helloween days and his voice sounds more mature, emotional and controlled. His singing changes from low and middle tone melodies to high pitched vocal lines complemented by unwavering vibrato. On most tracks and especially on the aforementioned ones, Kiske sounds better or exactly the same as he did 20 years ago. Goosebumps guaranteed....



The only downside of this release is the simple arrangement of some songs. 'A Little Time' sounds groovy but too plain, while 'Longing' and 'In The Night' haven't changed at all (besides some acoustic guitar leads and the absence of an orchestra). On the other hand this is a record with the main focus on the vocals and not the complexity of the songs, so I might be nit-picking here.



The Japanese edition of the album includes a brilliant cover of "How The Web Was Woven" (Elvis), where Kiske's vocal abilities surpass all expectations.



This album will be definitely bashed by many and appreciated by few. People who only enjoy hard sounds and despise acoustic rock will definitely hate this. Hard core Helloween fans will consider this album a heresy, while power metal fans will flame Kiske for not singing metal. In my opinion every artist is free to do whatever he pleases with his music and Michael is free to sing acoustic rock, pop or whatever else satisfies him. People waiting for his return to metal can listen to his guest appearances in the new Avantasia - The Scarecrow project and the forthcoming Revolution Renaissance - New Era (Timo Tolkki) album.



"Past In Different Ways" is definitely worth attention. It is a perfectly produced record, complemented by an amazing acoustic atmosphere. Any fan of good vocals, acoustic arrangements, nice melodies and Kiske's songwriting will love this album.





(Note to Helloween fans: Give this album a chance, these are just different versions of the old songs and Kiske still has that amazing voice)

"

Not what you're hoping to hear...

Dreamscale | AZ | 06/12/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Wow...hmmm...uh...



I love Michael Kiske...I really do. I've got literally every single thing he's ever done, with every single artist he's ever worked with. This will not go down on his highlight reel.



His voice is still literally amazing, but in this stripped down set, it almost sounds irritating at times...and I really hate to say that.



First of all, the songs that he has chosen to redo here are far from his best. And the manner in which they are redone, just doesn't work. Everything is so slow, so dull, so lacking.



Secondly, the instrumental side to this offering is seriously a one trick pony. It sounds like the guitarist is continuously strumming the same chords over and over. It's just downright boring, and after one listen, I think it's going in the rack for a long sleep.



It's a known fact that Kiske has changed in recent years. He's been very open about how he feels about music. His last solo release was very mellow for sure, but still offered interesting and "nice" melodies...songs you could relax to, and enjoy for what they are. This is not the case here.



I honestly feel terrible writing this negative review, but I don't see how I could really say anything else. Kiske's contributions with Avantasia, Tribuzy, and everything else he's guested on prove that somewhere deep inside, the man is still there and able to bring it like no one else. But this is another story completely.



If it wasn't Michael Kiske, I'd give it zero or one star, but for one of my all time favorite vocalists, I'll throw out the obligatory two stars, and call it good.



I can only hope that he rethinks what he's doing and in the future gives us what we've been waiting so many years to hear."

Could been better..

Morten Gjermundsen | 07/28/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When i first heard about Mr.Kiske's plan to re-record & release this,i wasnt quite sure what to think.

Im really more into his new style,so why would i want to hear him do this "helloween unplugged" thingy.Its really more about the compositions and not the sounds.I generally think if a song is good it will be good,no matter if its played electric or acoustic..Anway..

The first 3 songs starts off pretty good,but i wish they wouldnt put those trumpet parts in "We Got The Right"..It doesnt do the song any good and it would be much better off with out it..I also feel that these songs are not really stripped down enough..Please slow down...These songs dont need all those riffs..

Track 4 is my all time favorite helloween song and i wasnt sure what to think before i heard it..I generally dont like remakes of already favorites of mine.If its already perfect,why change it?

But after giving it a spin..Oh boy..Major disappointment..

Why?!?!Kiske?Why?



I wish i never heard this.It makes me sad.All the emotional aspects put into the original are gone.The vocals sounds forced and its like the song is played faster as well?Arg..This is not good Mister.. :(



Your turn - is really nice in the verses,the pre-chorus is not,mainly because of the harmony vocals but also because of the lack of power of the band.It actually sound a bit boring..

But the great chorus makes up for it.:)

Some parts of the solo are weak too..But the last part of the song,from the part "The world is crying.." it all sounds nice again.



Kids Of A Century - WOW!This starts off really interesting,on this one Kiske has actually manage to create music of out this rather noisy classic.Also,the way this has been arranged proves that not every note has to be picked like the original to sound good.Like the intro section.Just a few powerful strums are enough.I wish they could have done that on the first 3 tracks as well,as they sound a bit fast and forced..Anyway,back to the song again.Its not the most interesting solo i have heard but the instrumental section is still good. :)

Kiske comes back in again,with powerful vocals.This will be one of my favorites from this album..



In The Night - Is another song that sounds a lot better now than on the original cd,it was never a favorite of mine and even if this is better i dont think this re-arrangement will change anything,but the guitar solo is good. :)



Going Home - Has been turned into a serious rocker.Really cool stuff.The way it kicks off and then slows down and builds up again.Really great!More please.:) The instrumental section is very nice as well,but why all the shredding? Sounds like yngwie was there..I think it would sound better without it.Anyway..Overall great work!



A little time - Not much to say here,its not really my cup of coffee..



When The Sinner - Yes,this is good!Very cool sounds used and the playing and production here is really nice as well.The bass in the verse,super cool!!!Awesome performance by Kiske and his band.



The new song is a really nice composition and its well preformed.The instrumental sections are really beautiful and heart touching.:)



Its really hard for me to rate this album,since im really a big fan.

People should really not compare this to the original helloween albums,but i can understand those who will,since some of these songs really are "classics" from the 80's..We cant really expect people to just forget about them and those times..Its a good album but some of the songs sounded a bit forced,meaning that some of them are played too fast,it also sound like they didnt really enjoy remaking them all..

Its like giving Wagner a ukulele and tell him to preform music from The Ring..



After listening to "Longing" I really wanted to give this album 1 star.But after giving the rest of the songs a few spins i changed my mind.If this song had been left out i would give it 4 stars..But,its possible to skip it using the remote.I think there is something good here for both new and old fans.Im not sure if i would give it a 4 because im a "fan"..I wish i could give it 5,but i landed on a 3 and i think 3 is fair..







"