Album Review: Helloween – Helloween (Nuclear Blast)

Helloween should need no introduction but just in case… the German metal exports and pioneers of German melodic speed metal. Have been on the road since 1984. The band toured the world countless times and delivered spectacular shows with fellow musicians such as Iron Maiden, Scorpions and Ozzy Osbourne. Helloween have released 15 studio albums, 4 live records and achieved/been honoured with 14 Gold and 6 Platinum-Awards and sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.

After 35 hours and such success, Helloween embarked on the ‘Pumpkins United World Tour’ where they reunited with guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen and vocalist Michael Kiske to give fans the ultimate Helloween experience. Originally planned for the live performances only, it was the birth of a unique seven-piece metal alliance.

Drummer Dani Löble says:

This record is the coronation of the Pumpkins United journey! Still today I am fascinated by the different character traits and facets of the Helloween history. As an example I’d like to point out the legendary voices of Michi, Andi and Kai. To enjoy them now together on one record, under one flag is the ultimate Helloween experience.

The future of one of the most influential German metal bands from now on will feature three singers. Which brings us to this new album, simply titled ‘Helloween’, it will be released on June 18th, 2021 in a wide array of formats and editions.

To see Helloween put egos to the side for the Pumpkins United tour was one thing. To see them collaborate on a full album, one that features the vocal talents of three singers and with a wide array of writers, is another. Helloween fans are in for treat as this self-titled album is a celebration of all things Helloween. A blazing, grin-inducing bout of power and speed metal spread across 12 tracks.

From epic, chest-beating heavyweights like Out for the Glory, Robot King and the immense Skyfall. To the no-nonsense energetic head-bangers like Mass Pollution, Indestructible and Cyanide. To tracks that have plenty of melody too, such as Best Time and Angels. Everyone is likely to have their own favourite and for good reason.

Helloween sound great here. Not just the three different vocalists either, who do work well together. It’s not quite rolling back the years, but it is awesome to hear them so eager and excited to be doing this. There really aren’t that many surprises here but that’s fine, the combined talents create something that buoys the spirit and excites the senses. So many of these choruses fill the soul with life and the mind with memories of good times with fellow head-bangers.

It’s hard to say anything negative about this record simply because it is such an uplifting tribute to Helloween, Pumpkins United and their never-dying phenomenal fanbase. It’s an album that sounds tight and refined, not overly produced or coming across self-indulgent, which might come as surprise considering the length of some of these offerings. Skyfall itself is 12+ minutes but man oh man, what a 12+ minutes it is. If there’s one track you should check out, it is this one.

You’d be doing both Helloween and yourself a bit of a disservice though as from beginning to end, this album is a blast. If you didn’t get to one of the many Pumpkin United shows, here is the opportunity to celebrate.

Helloween – Helloween Full Track Listing:

1. Out for The Glory
2. Fear of The Fallen
3. Best Time
4. Mass Pollution
5. Angels
6. Rise Without Chains
7. Indestructible
8. Robot King
9. Cyanide
10. Down in The Dumps
11. Orbit
12. Skyfall

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