There are so many different genres of metal anymore, and some are labeled with the “big four” or “front-runners” of a particular genre; with Helloween, you get both. They are considered the godfathers of power metal and are also granted in the big four of power metal, which is obvious and well-deserved. Many bands have named them as influences of their own creations. One of the more interesting pieces of Helloween, is their ability to maintain sincerity with all phases of music they have explored. They never worried too much about anything outside of what they wanted to play and what felt right at the time. Helloween is releasing their newest album, Giants and Monsters, on August 29th, 2025 through Reigning Phoenix Records.
Helloween started in 1984 in Hamburg, West Germany. Their story throughout the years would take many articles to cover, but their consistency, despite lineup changes, vocalist shifts, and even musical adventures, has been something special. Giants and Monsters is another power metal treasure that is catchy, full of talent, and explores utilizing all three vocalists for a few songs, which gives you a full flavor of Helloween in a pumpkin colored bow. Michael Weikath (guitar, backing vocals), Markus Grosskopf (bass, backing vocals), Kai Hansen (guitar, vocals), Michael Kiske (vocals), Andi Deris (vocals), Sascha Gerstner (guitar, backing vocals), and Daniel Loble (drums), have really outdone themselves with this release.
Weikath was kind enough to sit down with Metal Nation and discuss this release. (If you are viewing from your phone, please scroll to the bottom and click “View Desktop Version” to gain interview and video access).