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HELLOWEEN
Giants & Monsters
Reigning Phoenix Music
www.helloween.org

German Power Metal legends HELLOWEEN are celebrating 40 years of existence with the release of their 17th studio album Giants & Monsters. As is the case with most bands whose career spans decades, the Heavy Metal titans have seen their share of highs and lows, shifts in musical tastes, and band member changes.

In 2016, HELLOWEEN morphed into one part "classic" line-up and one part "current" line-up, known throughout fan circles as "Pumpkins United". The end result was several well-received and sold out tours, plus a #1 charting album Helloween in 2021. Can the united HELLOWEEN keep up the momentum with Giants & Monsters?

I want to state this up front, there are times throughout this album where I cannot tell which vocalist is singing which part (so I will guess). The label did not give me a cheat sheet and I only have the audio files. It doesn't really matter because Kai Hansen, Michael Kiske, and Andi Deris all give great performances.

The opening track "Giants On The Run" starts off subtly but builds to an intense double kick driven chorus. The track runs different tempos and emotions throughout. Guitarist Michael Weikath, Sascha Gerstner, and Kai Hansen are on fire during the breaks. This is likely sung by Hansen (w/Kiske).

"Savior Of The World" speeds up the pace to break-neck speed and keeps it flowing throughout. Pretty sure this is Kiske on vocals, due to his high melodic register. The song recalls early HELLOWEEN angst and melody, on top of their dependable fiery guitars and pounding drums.

"A Little Is A Little Too Much" is a keyboard laden, tongue-in-cheek track about, well, premature...let's say release. I know for sure that the lead vocal on this one is Andi Deris. If I didn't tell you what this one was about, you'd just think it was another cool, vocally melodic HELLOWEEN song.

Multiple vocalists contribute the anthemic track "We Can Be Gods". At times the track is intense, but at other times it's subtle, and everywhere in between. The guitar trio of Hansen, Weikath, and Gerstner absolutely tear it up during the breaks.

Deris and Kiske share vocal duties on the emotional ballad "Into The Sun". The duo is backed by orchestral elements up until the understated yet bluesy guitar solos. "This Is Tokyo" is led by Andi Deris on vocals and is a compelling love letter to the city and country in which he got his start in the Power Metal world. Of course HELLOWEEN has had some great experiences in Japan as well. The chorus is powerful and memorable enough that fans will be singing along in a live setting.

"Universe (Gravity For Hearts)" is an 8+ minute epic loaded with everything you've come to expect from a HELLOWEEN opus. The vocals run the gamut of high register to low register, the momentum shifts from rapid to steady to mild, while you are taken on a roller coaster of emotions. And of course, the guitar work (times 3) is unmatched.

An infectious riff (that matches the chorus melody line) leads you into the song "Hand Of God". After such an epic track it's good to have a steady mid-tempo track, so you can catch your breath. "Under The Moonlight" is a quick vocal showcase for Michael Kiske, clocking in at just under 4 minutes. I'm pretty sure it's him.

Now that you've had a little break from the intensity, it's time to get strap in for one final tale. "Majestic" is just as plot twisting as its predecessor "Universe (Gravity For Hearts)", albeit at a slower pace. Every singer is on board for this 8+ minute epic. Weikath, Hansen, and Gerstner help pick up the pace with feverous licks and riffs at the midway point. The track builds to what you would expect should be a momentous melodic conclusion, but then it just fades away (sequel on the next one perhaps?).

A lot of reviewers gave HELLOWEEN's self-titled album maxed out ratings (5/5 or 10/10) in 2021. I thought it was a good album, but honestly, they have had better releases. Giants & Monsters eclipses Helloween, and in a lot of ways makes their back catalog pale in comparison.

It's as if HELLOWEEN took the best of their past and mixed it with the best of today, and then perfected the formula. It took two tries to get it right in my opinion. Giants & Monsters will be tough to top, not just for HELLOWEEN, but for every Power Metal release that comes after it.

5.0 Out Of 5.0

Be sure to also check out our exclusive interview with Andi Deris HERE