Michael Kiske is without a doubt one of the best voices ever met in heavy metal. Ever since he left Helloween the style he has been following has nothing to do with the one that made him famous, the one that made us love him so much. However, there are still many people who watch closely his steps, some of them hoping that he will return musically to heavy metal and some other simply because they are still interested in his career as an artist. The new album “Past In Different Ways” stimulated many of those who simply ignore Michael Kiske’s career after Helloween. The reason? This is an album with Helloween covers, songs that Kiske himself had written and sung while he was still in the band.

The album includes one song from the “Keeper Of The Seven Keys I” (“A Little Time”), two songs from the “Keeper Of The Seven Keys IΙ” (“You Always Walk Alone” and “We Got The Right”), three songs from the “Pink Bubbles Go Ape” (“Your Turn”, “Kids Of The Century” and “Going Home”), four songs from the “Chameleon” (“I Believe”, “Longing”, “In The Night” και “When The Sinner”) and one brand new song called “Different Ways”. The songs are more or less acoustic versions of the originals, which is quite interesting and also you really need to be aware of before you listen to the album. That, of course, means that you also need to forget the speed of some of them that your ears are used to, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that this different approach is bad. It is indeed successful at some points plus it comes from the creator and original performer of these songs. “You Always Walk Alone”, “Your Turn” and “Kids Of The Century” are the best moments of the album where there is no room for disappointment, while the rest of the covers are not bad however they become tiring for the listener. As far as the one new song that carries half of the title of the album “Different Ways”, I’d say that it is a typical sample of Michael Kiske’s composing and performing direction in our days, which unfortunately doesn’t make the best of an impression.

The audition of the album leaves the listener a pleasant feeling, however I think that only huge Michael Kiske or Helloween fans will repeat it over and over. That’s why I recommend this release to the aforementioned people. As far as the rest, if they ever get the chance to simply listen to the album, I suggest that they should give it a try...