I have a photographic memory, which means I can recall some incredibly obscure moments from my life. Today, I found myself with an unexpected urge to listen to a particular song by the German power metal band Helloween¹—Keeper of the Seven Keys. This track is from their album Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II, released in 1988.

This is where my memory really comes into play. I vividly remember listening to this melodic Hamburg-based band in my room back in my hometown on a winter day in 1991. I had just come home from school, and the day was cold, with snow threatening to fall at any moment. As I sat there, immersed in the music, I was captivated by the beautiful, melodic tunes of Helloween.

Keeper of the Seven Keys had everything: super melodic hooks, an unforgettable chorus, and of course, an epic guitar solo. There’s even a quiet, acoustic section that emits a Pink Floyd-like vibe. This song truly embodies the definition of the word epic.

Helloween was like a breath of fresh air to the young mind of Dino Avdibegović during a time when hair metal ruled the scene. While others were listening to bands like Mötley Crüe, Guns N' Roses, and Bon Jovi, I was drawn to more powerful metal sounds. I listened to those bands, too, but it was never my favorite metal flavor. Perhaps this explains why my favorite bands include Opeth, Pain of Salvation, Dream Theater, Symphony X, and Pantera.

Although I haven't listened to Helloween much in the past twenty years, revisiting their music today has given me a newfound appreciation for their complex and melodic sound—just as I felt on that cold afternoon in my hometown so many years ago.

The thrill remains, then and now.