Helloween - 'Giants & Monsters

Rock Metal Machine
Jul 5
2 min read

a Power Metal fantasy that will remind you just why you got into this sort of music in the first place. The masters are back – go ape!

Heroic figure wields fiery object against monstrous beast in stormy, vivid sky. Text: "Helloween" and "Giants & Monsters." Dynamic and epic scene.

Helloween are a German Power Metal band, and if you need any more intro than that you are definitely reading the wrong magazine. Often credited as the fathers of European Melodic Power Metal, they are one of those bands that has ebbed and flowed quality wise, but always seem to come back stronger, as on their 2021 self titled album, one of their best since forming in 1984.

Now firmly in place as a seven-piece with two main vocalists – original guy Michael Kiske and his nineties replacement Andi Deris – not to mention the soaring tones of guitarist Kai Hansen, Helloween are every inch the Metal monster they used to be when I first discovered them on the seminal ‘Keeper Of The Seven Keys Pt 1’ album back in the eighties. That lad, who still exists inside me, was sceptical as to whether they could repeat the genius of their 2021 self-titled release, but by Crom he’s a bloody idiot because ‘Gods & Monsters’ may well be the best thing they’ve ever done.

Every single ingredient that makes Helloween Helloween is here in spades. There’s two tracks over eight minutes, more widdly guitar than ever before, energetic drums, uplifting melodies and more. Opener ‘Giants On The Run’ is classic Helloween, building to a great chorus from atmospheric verses, and a perfect set up for what’s to come. Stand out track for me is ‘Universe (Gravity For Hearts)’ an eight-minute-plus monster that seems like four, flying by and containing the best chorus on the album for singing along to (fierce competition there, too). The only bad thing about the album is there’s nothing to criticize, and you know how mad that makes critics – it’s in the job title! Yes, there’s a sort of ballad, in the shape of ‘Into The Sun’ but it’s still a fantastic song, leading into another absolute fast-paced banger, ‘This is Tokyo’.

Screw it, all you need to know is if you’ve ever liked Helloween, this album is for you. Vocals, drums, bass, guitars... all of it blends together in a Power Metal fantasy that will remind you just why you got into this sort of music in the first place. The masters are back – go ape!

Reviewer: Alan Holloway

Label: Reigning Phoenix

Genre: Power Metal

Issue Reviewed In: 111

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