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Helloween is a German power metal band founded in 1984 in Hamburg by members of bands Iron Fist, Gentry, Second Hell and Powerfool.[2] The band has at times been called one of the most influential European heavy metal bands of the 1980s.[3] Its first lineup consisted of singer and guitarist Kai Hansen, bassist Markus Grosskopf, guitarist Michael Weikath and drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg. By the time Hansen left Helloween in 1989 to form Gamma Ray, the band had evolved into a five-piece, with Michael Kiske taking over as lead vocalist. Schwichtenberg and Kiske both parted ways with Helloween in 1993; Schwichtenberg died two years later as the result of suicide. Between then and 2016, there had been numerous line-up changes, leaving Grosskopf and Weikath as the only remaining original members. As a septet, their current lineup features all of the surviving members of the Keeper of the Seven Keys lineup (Hansen, Weikath, Kiske and Grosskopf), in addition to the remaining members from the Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy-era (singer Andi Deris, guitarist Sascha Gerstner and drummer Daniel Loble).

Key Information

Since its inception, Helloween has released 17 studio albums, five live albums, three EPs and 31 singles. The band was honored with 14 gold and six platinum awards and has sold more than 10 million records worldwide.[4] Helloween has been referred to as the "fathers of power metal",[5] as well as one of the so-called "big four" of the genre's early German scene, along with Grave Digger, Rage and Running Wild,[6] and one of the "big four" bands of the entire genre, alongside Blind Guardian, Sabaton, and DragonForce.[7]

The staff of Loudwire named them the 34th-best metal band of all time.[8]

History

[edit]

Early years and first album (1984–1986)

[edit]

Helloween was formed 1984 in Hamburg, West Germany. Its name was inspired by the film Halloween.[9] The original line-up included Kai Hansen on vocals and rhythm guitar, Michael Weikath on lead guitar, Markus Grosskopf on bass and Ingo Schwichtenberg on drums. That year, the band signed with Noise Records and recorded two songs for a Noise compilation album called Death Metal. The compilation featured the bands Hellhammer, Running Wild and Dark Avenger. The two tracks were "Oernst of Life" by Weikath and Hansen's "Metal Invaders," a faster version of which would appear on the band's first full-length album.

Helloween recorded and released its first record in 1985, a self-titled EP containing five tracks. Also that year, the band released its first full-length album, Walls of Jericho, which helped spawn speed metal.[10] During the following concert tour, Hansen had difficulties singing and playing the guitar at the same time. Hansen's last recording as the band's lead singer was in 1986 on a vinyl EP titled Judas, which contained the song "Judas" and live versions of "Ride the Sky" and "Guardians" recorded at Gelsenkirchen. (The CD edition has the live introduction, but the songs have been replaced with studio versions and crowd noise spliced in.) Following these releases, Helloween started the search for a new vocalist.[11]

Hansen explained in an interview 1999:

"We wanted to go for a lot more intricate stuff on the guitar and more technical. So it was like getting harder and harder for me without having big experience on vocals. I never had lessons or anything and I was not that fixed on the guitar yet so it was getting difficult. On the other hand we thought it would be really cool to have a real front man, a real singer. We heard Queensryche, the first album that they did, and we thought wow that would be cool to have a singer like that who could be very stable on the high soaring notes and have a lot of expression."

Keeper of the Seven Keys (1986–1989)

[edit]
Helloween live in 1988

The band found an 18-year-old vocalist, Michael Kiske, from a local Hamburg band named Ill Prophecy. Kiske was initially uninterested in them, having heard the more thrashy Walls of Jericho, but after Weikath insisted, he attended one of their sessions and heard some songs they had composed for his voice (songs which would later be featured in their next albums), and he changed his mind.[12]

With their new lead vocalist in tow, Helloween approached record labels Noise International and RCA and proposed the release of a double-LP to introduce the line-up. This proposition was turned down.

Instead, they recorded a single album, resulting in Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I. The album was released by Noise Records on 23 May 1987, months after the band spent the winter of 1986 into 1987 hard at work inside Horus Sound Studio in Hannover, Germany. It consisted of songs mostly written by Hansen. Due to guitarist Michael Weikath's illness, he was recovering from a nervous breakdown, all the rhythm guitars on the album were played by Hansen. Weikath was only able to play some guitar solos and only wrote the ballad "A Tale That Wasn't Right". Weikath said in an interview: "I was pleased to still be in the band."[13]

The album received great reviews from the press and a great response from the fans. In addition, it made Helloween a benchmark to measure power metal bands.[14] The positive reception took Helloween across the ocean, as they toured the US together with Grim Reaper and Armored Saint. Their American distributor at the time, RCA, got them to record a video for the epic "Halloween", but cut it to four minutes so that the video could be played on MTV. However, after the European tour together with then-unknown American thrash metal band Overkill, the first struggles within the band started taking shape.

Exhausted from touring, Hansen asked the band to take a short break from live performances. However, as the band was just starting to gain momentum the time to take a break was just not right. The disputes ranged from arguing about their musical direction on the future releases to extensive touring and other, mostly insignificant topics. Hansen started contemplating leaving the band.

In August 1988, Helloween released Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II. This time the record featured more Weikath-penned tracks. The idea behind this was that the first album should feature tracks written by Hansen due to their similarity to the style of their debut, while the second album would feature tracks composed by Weikath which were a lot more mainstream by comparison. The album capitalized on the success of Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 and picks up where it left off. Success bloomed all over Europe, Asia and even the US. The album went gold in Germany, reached No. 108 in the US, hit the UK top 30 albums and single "Dr Stein" reached No. 57.

Despite the vast commercial success of the Keeper's part two, the rift between the band members kept growing. They spent more time arguing about the music rather than composing it. Hansen called for a meeting and once again asked the band if they could take a break from touring.

The band got the chance to perform, in front of 100,000 people, as a part of the Monsters of Rock festival along with Iron Maiden, David Lee Roth, Kiss, Megadeth and Guns N' Roses at Donington Park on 20 August 1988.

Around the same time, the tension between the band and their record label Noise led to an argument which would later lead to a lawsuit. The band was discontent with how much they were being paid taking into account great record and merchandise sales, as well as frequent touring. Helloween also supported Iron Maiden on their Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour, on some dates in Europe.

In the fall of 1988, the band went on yet another European tour, now as headlining act, named "Pumpkins Fly Free Tour", which spawned their first ever live album, released the year after, titled Live in the U.K. recorded during their show in Scotland. The same record was also released as Keepers Live in Japan and I Want Out Live in the US.

MTV put the single "I Want Out" into heavy rotation. A video that was directed by Storm Thorgerson. For "I Want Out", Hansen very publicly laid out his disillusion with life as a member of Helloween at this time,[15] explaining:

"It was a statement, yeah. It wasn't just wanting out of the band, it was a general thing relating to everything that was going on: poor management, other people telling us where to be and what to do, never-ending internal discussions… I just wanted to rock."

In support of its Headbangers Ball show, MTV also presented the Headbangers Ball Tour in U.S. and invited Helloween to be a part of it in 1989. However, before the start of that tour, in December 1988 Kai Hansen broke the news to the other members that he was leaving Helloween. Hansen's last show with the band was at The Hummingbird, Birmingham, UK on 8 November 1988.

Hansen, Schwichtenberg and Kiske's departures (1989–1993)

[edit]

Hansen officially left Helloween on 1 January 1989, and the band chose Roland Grapow to replace him.[16] Grapow was originally discovered in a club in Hamburg, Germany playing with his band Rampage. Helloween guitarist Michael Weikath kept Grapow's name in mind in the event Hansen would potentially leave.

Grapow, who was a car mechanic at the time, stated in 2017 that, if Weikath had not happened to ask him to join the band, he would have kept his job and given up on his dream of becoming a professional musician.[17] Grapow said in 2020:

"Weikath called me in August '88 with the question if I was still playing guitar, because he saw me at a Rampage show. He asked me if I'd like to join Helloween after they will finish the European tour, because Kai wanted to leave the band…so I started learning the songs and in December I was playing five songs with them at the rehearsal room. Some weeks later I was already on tour in America with them and then we went to Japan after that."[18]

The inaugural Headbangers Ball Tour started in April 1989 with Helloween joining San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal band Exodus in support of headlining act Anthrax.[19] The band was slotted in the prestigious second spot, right before Anthrax's set. On the heels of this exposure to U.S. audiences, the band achieved worldwide success. Kiske reflected at the time:

"I can see why it made sense for us to get involved with MTV but I really don't think we fit this bill at all. We're playing our hardest songs every night, but we're not thrash."

At the height of their success Helloween decided to sign with then-major label EMI Records after being urged to do so by their management company Sanctuary, who also managed Iron Maiden. Their former label Noise Records sued them for breach of contract which effectively put the band on hold. Between June 1989 and April 1992 they did not play one show. All the momentum the band had built up came to a halt.

Their first album with new guitarist Grapow Pink Bubbles Go Ape was released on EMI in the spring of 1991 in Europe and Japan. In the rest of the world as well as the band's home country Germany the album was delayed until April 1992 due to the ongoing legal battle between the band's current and former labels. By that time the music landscape had changed drastically. It also did not help that Helloween moved even further away from their speed metal roots and further embrace the hard rocking side of their sound. As a result, Pink Bubbles Go Ape failed commercially and tensions started to build amongst the band members.[20]

They played their first show on their "Quick Hello Tour" in Hamburg 30 April 1992 and continued with some more dates in Europe and the band also went to Japan in the autumn of 1992.[21][22]

The follow-up Chameleon was released on EMI in the summer of 1993. The very experimental album was a commercial failure. The band's diversion away from the sound that had made them famous alienated a large portion of their fanbase.

The original drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg was then fired from the band due to his deteriorating mental state.[20]

"We started to notice something was wrong with him when we were on tour, with all that road pressure" remembers Weikath. "Ingo had a strange behavior... he did strange things and we noticed something was seriously wrong with him. We lived with him and we could see his changes".[23]

Grosskopf said 1996:

"It was like he had two people in his mind: the good and the evil. He told me the evil was always talking to him. It was very strong in him, he was very depressed. We decided to give him professional help, 'cause we could not help him. It was too serious."

Schwichtenberg could not be part of the band anymore until he recovered from drugs and alcohol abuse and took his medications against schizophrenia. After a long telephone call with Weikath, in which he explained why they had made that hard and painful decision, Schwichtenberg was asked to leave Helloween.

He was replaced by session drummer Ritchie Abdel-Nabi on a temporary basis to finish the Chameleon Tour. Also many of the European dates were cancelled. Helloween played in half-filled venues and their decision to focus the setlist mostly on Chameleon and Pink Bubbles songs did not help either.

Weikath said 1994 about Kiske and the Chameleon Tour:

"During that tour we played seven concerts and cancelled the rest. Kiske said he had a throat illness, but we all thought it was panic. Your voice disappears when you are frightened or on panic. It looked like he just stayed static on stage, and when I said to him to move and give a better impression to the audience, he said that I was diminishing his authority on stage. I didn't find that fun, because he did his acts on stage, and they weren't spontaneous like before, he was just standing still to sing better, and that showed us that the songs from "Chameleon" weren't good for shows. I understand, the album could be interesting, but on the eyes of the fans we weren't able to play it live. It was like rice for us: Sticky, but not tasty!"[24]

Meanwhile, the conflicts within the rest of the band worsened and the decision was made to fire Kiske. His last performance with the band was at a Charity show at Rockfabrik Ludwigsburg 22 December 1993, until he returned to the stage with Helloween 24 years later.

Kiske did not have any contact with Grosskopf and Weikath for many years. He would later release solo albums with different musical directions. In 2008, Kiske released Past in Different Ways; an album featuring most of his old Helloween songs, albeit rearranged and re-recorded acoustically. Commenting on Kiske's dismissal, Grosskopf later said:[25]

"People thought we were crazy for firing a singer like Kiske, but then after all those years and listening to what he's doing now I hope people will understand why we did that decision. Otherwise he would have pushed us into the direction where he is going now and we didn't want that."

1993 would come to a close for Helloween with no singer, no drummer, and no record contract (EMI released the band from its agreement for the low sales numbers for Pink Bubbles Go Ape and Chameleon).

Weikath said 1994:

"Well, EMI said we didn't sell enough records for their taste. They had to pay a lot of pre-production costs and sadly we weren't able to sell enough albums for them to have their money back. The fans were disappointed. First with "Pink Bubbles Go Ape", and now with "Chameleon". We still sold 400.000 copies of "Chameleon", but we made a deal with EMI and changed our label."[24]

Grosskopf continued:

"That was a time when nobody understood each other. There was too much arguing. Someone wanted it this way, the other wanted that way. We didn't have anything to lose. The three of us sat down and decided to begin again."

First years with Andi Deris and return to the roots (1994–2000)

[edit]

Helloween returned in 1994 with former Pink Cream 69 frontman Andi Deris as their new lead vocalist and Uli Kusch, formerly of Kai Hansen's Gamma Ray, on drums. The band already knew Deris from some recording sessions in Hamburg, though both Deris and new drummer Uli Kusch played on the band's next album Master of the Rings, which was released on 8 July 1994, they were temporary members of the band back during the recording sessions, but they eventually became permanent members of the band on 1 September 1994.[25] Deris had been approached by Weikath to join the band in 1991, but he had declined, despite being intrigued by the offer and having to deal with emerging conflicts between him and his band. In the years since, however, Kiske was fired from Helloween and the issues within Pink Cream 69 worsened. Faced with the inevitability of his firing, Deris accepted Weikath's offer during a night out with the band members.[25] With this new lineup and a new record contract with Castle Communications, Helloween released its comeback album, Master of the Rings.

8 March 1995, original drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg committed suicide by jumping in front of a train in his native Hamburg. In the years since his departure from Helloween, Schwichtenberg had gotten worse from schizophrenia. 1996's The Time of the Oath was dedicated to his memory.

Following another world tour, a double live album called High Live was released. In 1998, Helloween released Better Than Raw, one of the band's heaviest albums since the full-length debut. The subsequent supporting tour was made up of stops in Europe, Japan and Brazil, but on 20 December 1998, the band visited New York and played a show at the venue Coney Island High in Manhattan, the first show for Helloween in the United States in nearly a decade.

The band would follow Better Than Raw with a 1999 release titled Metal Jukebox, a cover-album featuring Helloween's versions of songs from such bands as Scorpions, Jethro Tull, Faith No More, The Beatles, ABBA and Deep Purple.

Line-up changes (2002–2004)

[edit]

2000 saw the release of The Dark Ride, a more experimental and darker album than their previous releases. It came complete with downtuned guitars and a gruffer singing style from Deris. Immediately following the tour, Helloween parted ways with guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch.[25] One version of events states that Weikath, Deris and Grosskopf felt that Kusch and Grapow, in particular, were spending more time on and paying more attention to their new side-project, Masterplan (Grapow's output on Helloween albums had dropped to barely one song per album by that point); since the others believed that Kusch and Grapow were not one hundred percent dedicated to Helloween, they were dismissed.

They were replaced by guitarist Sascha Gerstner (ex-Freedom Call, Neumond) and drummer Mark Cross (ex-Metalium, Kingdom Come, At Vance, Firewind), culminating with the recording of another studio album, titled Rabbit Don't Come Easy, in 2003. The band met Gerstner via a recommendation by producer Charlie Bauerfeind. According to Grosskopf, one day he was recording something with Freedom Call "and later on we called him up and he went to first meet Weiki because it was very important that Weiki finds a player that he can play with and also communicate and understand. [...] So we got him on the island where we recorded and let him hang out with us a little and then he decided 'Good, let's go'."[25] Later in 2012, on an interview with Metal Shock Finland's Chief Editor, Mohsen Fayyazi, Grapow stated:

I felt very secure in Helloween. In the middle of the tour I said something to Michael and Markus and I said my opinion about something. I wanted to make something the best for the band and I think they misunderstood me, like I wanted to be leader. I was telling the truth and that's how I am... It was a great time in Helloween... but I am happy when I left the band after Dark Ride because it's one of my favourite albums, it changed my life totally.

[26][27]

Cross could not finish the album due to mononucleosis, completing only two tracks; the drum tracks were completed by Motörhead's Mikkey Dee. Stefan Schwarzmann, former drummer of Running Wild and Accept would shortly thereafter take over the drumming duties. Despite a somewhat tepid response to the album, Helloween nonetheless completed a successful world tour, highlighted by the return of classic songs such as "Starlight", "Murderer", and "Keeper of the Seven Keys" to the setlist. Additionally, the band toured the United States for the first time since 1989, playing to sold-out crowds at nearly every venue.

Steady line-up (2005–2016)

[edit]
Helloween in 2006
Helloween at Przystanek Woodstock in 2011

2005 saw yet another line-up change, following the "Rabbits on the Run" tour, as it became apparent that Helloween and Stefan Schwarzmann did not share the same musical vision. As further noted by the band, he had some trouble performing fast drum parts,[25] so he was replaced by Daniel Löble, the former drummer of German metal band Rawhead Rexx. A change in record company also followed as they signed a deal with German label SPV. Any fears that what had now become a revolving door of band members would affect the quality of their new album were laid to rest as Helloween's new studio album, titled Keeper of the Seven Keys – The Legacy, was released on 28 October 2005 in Germany and 8 November in the US to commercial and critical acclaim. The album had a pre-release single, "Mrs. God", as well as a video for the track. The track "Light the Universe" was released as a single on 22 November, featuring Candice Night of Blackmore's Night on guest vocals. She also appears in the video clip for that track.

In late 2006, Helloween filmed and recorded shows in São Paulo (Brazil), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Tokyo (Japan) for their live album Keeper of the Seven Keys – The Legacy World Tour 2005/2006. The DVD also featured extra footage of the band, as well as interviews and a road movie. This was the second Helloween live album to feature Andi Deris as frontman and third overall. It enjoyed chart success in several countries: Germany: 9 (DVD) & 58 (CD), Sweden: 9 (DVD), France: 10 (DVD)[28] Helloween has since completed their studio album Gambling with the Devil, which was released on 23 October 2007. It received many positive reviews, with most fans praising the album as being one of the best Deris-era albums. Despite being one of Helloween's heaviest albums, it is noted for featuring more keyboards. "As Long as I Fall", the first single, was released in early September and only available via download (save for Japan, where it was released on CD). The video for the song is available at their official site.[29]

Helloween teamed up with Kai Hansen's current band Gamma Ray for their 2007–2008 "Hellish Rock" world tour, which started in early November 2007. Helloween were headlining and Gamma Ray were labeled as the "very special guest" with most shows also having fellow German "guest" Axxis. The tour went through Europe, Asia and South America, as well as a few dates in the US. The tour is notable for Kai Hansen stepping on stage with his former band fellows Weikath and Grosskopf to perform hits "I Want Out" and "Future World" in the last encore segment of Helloween.[30] In 2008, they played the UK Bloodstock festival alongside Dimmu Borgir.[31]

On 26 December 2009, Helloween released the Unarmed – Best of 25th Anniversary album in Japan. The album was released on 1 February 2010 in Europe. The album is a compilation of ten of the band's best known songs, re-recorded in different musical styles than the original recordings and by the current lineup. It features a seventeen-minute "Keepers Medley", recorded by a seventy-piece orchestra from Prague, mixing together "Halloween", "The Keeper of the Seven Keys" and "The King for a 1000 Years". There is a limited edition digipak, including a thirty-minute "making of"-DVD with interviews and studio footage. The band's website states that the album was released on 13 April 2010 in North America via Sony & THE END RECORDS labels.[32] On 14 May 2010, it was announced on their site that they were working on a new studio album,[33] which was the fastest and heaviest effort in years.

Helloween released their thirteenth studio album, 7 Sinners, on 31 October 2010 in Europe and 3 November 2010 in the US. Before its physical release, the band made it available worldwide for streaming via their Myspace page. The name of the album alludes to the seven deadly sins. According to Andi Deris, the album goes straight to the point: "After an acoustic album, we needed definitely something that shows the people without any question that this is a metal album."[34] The band toured to promote the new album with Stratovarius and Pink Cream 69 as their guests.[35][36] On 5 April 2011, via the band's website, it was announced that 7 Sinners was awarded 'Gold status' in the Czech Republic.[37]

In June 2012, Helloween entered the studio to begin recording their fourteenth album, Straight Out of Hell, which was released on 18 January 2013.[38] They then went on tour around the world with Gamma Ray again.[39]

In September, Helloween played at Rock in Rio 2013 with former member Kai Hansen as a special guest.[40] In October 2014, the band announced a new album for a May 2015 release. It was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind at Mi Sueño Studio on Tenerife and marked their return to the Nuclear Blast label with which they released The Dark Ride and Rabbit Don't Come Easy.[41]

On 26 February 2015, the band revealed the name and the cover artwork of the album, My God-Given Right, released on 29 May 2015. The artwork was created by Martin Häusler.[42][43] In June 2015, it was discovered that the band members were working on a book, released as "Hellbook".[44] Grosskopf stated that it is "a kind of history book with lots of pictures".[45][46][47]

Pumpkins United (2016–present)

[edit]

In November 2016, it was announced that former members Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske were re-joining the band for a world tour titled the Pumpkins United World Tour, that would start on 19 October 2017 in Monterrey, Mexico, and conclude the following year.[48]

"Kai said something like, 'Michael, if we don't ever do anything again under the name of Helloween, we're just idiots.' [...] and I just said, 'You know what, Kai? I'm open.'"

—Michael Kiske in 2017, on when Kai Hansen convinced him to perform with Helloween again.[49][50]

Although Hansen had been occasionally appearing as a guest on Helloween shows for a few years, Kiske had been particularly reluctant in interviews to the idea of performing with Helloween again due to bad blood with Markus Grosskopf and especially Michael Weikath, dating from when he was fired from the band in 1993; this started to change in 2013, when he ran into Weikath at the Sweden Rock Festival.[51] He stated in 2017: "The first thing [Weikath] said was, 'What have I done that you can't forgive me?' That was the first line he said to me. And I realized that I had forgiven somehow a long time ago without noticing. That's how it all started". It was Hansen, who had been his bandmate as a part of Unisonic since 2011, who ultimately convinced him in 2014.[49][50] Other popular former members Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch were not asked to re-join, with Grosskopf stating "it would be too many people".[52]

This new line-up released an original song, "Pumpkins United", on 13 October 2017, as a free download (with a vinyl release on 8 December), on which Deris, Hansen and Kiske all share lead vocals.[53] The Pumpkins United World Tour started in Monterrey, Mexico on 19 October 2017. The first show saw both Deris and Kiske performing songs from their respective Helloween albums and sing duets together, while Hansen performed lead vocals for a medley of songs from Walls of Jericho. The show also included a tribute to the late original Helloween drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg.[54]

Helloween performing at Wacken Open Air 2018. From left to right: Markus Grosskopf, Sascha Gerstner, Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath and Daniel Löble.

However, Kiske started suffering health issues related to his voice shortly before starting the tour, to the point where after the first two shows in Mexico, his involvement for the next dates was unsure.[54][55] He was cleared to perform by doctors in time for the next show in San José, Costa Rica on 23 October, although his illness forced the band to temporally remove a few songs from their setlist, and to have Deris, Hansen and Gerstner support him more vocally.[56][57][54] After accusations from fans of Kiske using lip sync on the more vocally demanding parts of some songs, Kai Hansen confirmed that Kiske had indeed partially used taped vocals, but only for the tour's opening show in Monterrey, and because the band feared they would have to cancel the show, as Kiske felt unsure he would be able to perform at all due to his illness.[54] Kiske stated in 2021 that "it was the hardest tour that I ever did because I caught a freakin' virus somewhere in South America and I couldn't get rid of it. Like, after four weeks, like the middle of the tour, I was only able with huge glasses of red wine and painkillers to go on stage because my immune system was going nuts."[58] With regards to the taped vocals Kiske explained in a 2021 interview "I never did anything like that, and I will never do that again…When you do a playback, you've gotta be doing the same thing as on the recording, and I was, like, holding the microphone to the audience and my voice was coming through the P.A. and stuff like that…I didn't have a choice. The other choice was to cancel the show, and the band didn't wanna cancel the show."[59] On 28–29 October 2017, the band recorded their concerts in São Paulo, Brazil for a future live album and DVD.[60][61]

About a potential studio album under the Pumpkins United line-up, Deris stated in March 2018: "We certainly have lots and lots of talks [about it]. This summer, if the chemistry goes on like this, then everything is possible. After recording that particular "Pumpkins United" song, we realized that it's easy working together. [...] Yeah, it was no problem at all, as if we would have worked together for decades already. So, I could see an upcoming album for the future. If the chemistry stays the way it is now, I definitely would say 99 percent yes, we're going for it."[62] When they were interviewed together in June, Weikath stated: "We don't really feel like starting with it because it's going to be a lot of work and it's going to take a lot of time and right now, we are kind of comfy with what we are doing, so to say. So, we are not lying. It's very easy to say; we are just too lazy to get started with that". Hansen stated "There's a lot of ideas in the room for what we do next and so on. But, nothing is kind of decided. Nothing is ripe for the decision. We leave that open, kind of."[63]

On 21 August 2018, the band announced that, at the request of their label Nuclear Blast, the Pumpkins United line-up would perdure after 2018, and that a live CD and DVD for the Pumpkins United World Tour would be released in early 2019, followed by a new studio album to be recorded later that year for a planned 2020 release, with Weikath, Hansen and Deris acting as a "songwriting trio"; this will be their first studio album to feature Hansen since Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II in 1988 and the first with Kiske since Chameleon in 1993.[64] The Pumpkins United World Tour concluded on 22 December 2018 in Hamburg.[65]

On 4 October 2019, Helloween performed at the 2019 edition of Rock in Rio[66] and on the same day the live DVD/Blu-ray United Alive and the live album United Alive in Madrid, both recorded during the Pumpkins United World Tour, were released. The first comprises recordings of the band's performances in Madrid WiZink Centre (2017), at Wacken Open Air (2018) and in São Paulo (2017) and the second is a recording of the full performance in Madrid, with songs recorded in shows in Prague, São Paulo, Wacken and Santiago acting as bonus tracks.[67]

On 26 November 2019, the band published a video in which they shared that they had begun recording their next album in Hamburg and that they were planning to resume touring in late 2020.[68] On 1 June 2020, Helloween confirmed that they had postponed their fall European tour to the spring of 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The band also announced that they had "decided to shift the release" of their new album to early next year; with six years between My God-Given Right and the new album, this marks the longest time between two Helloween studio albums, as the band had never previously spent more than three years without releasing a new studio album.[69] On 25 March 2021, Helloween releases in Japan their new book, an encyclopedia called Seven Keys United Memorial: Complete Collection of Helloween.[70]

In March 2021, it was announced that the band's first album with the Pumpkins United line-up would be titled Helloween, and it was released on 18 June 2021.[71][64][69][72] The album topped German charts and also reached number one in sales in other countries.[73][74] Following the success of this album, the band launched a comic book and a line of collectible action figures inspired by the bands' cover artwork and lyrical lore.[75] By March 2023, according to Kiske, Helloween had begun working on new material for their next album.[76] In May 2023, it was announced that Helloween would be inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame.[77] On 22 November 2023, Helloween announced plans to take the next few months off in order to focus on the making of their next studio album.[78]

On 15 February 2024, it was announced that the band had signed with Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) and would be releasing their next studio album in 2025.[79]

On 1 November 2024, Helloween announced a new live double album called Live at Budokan, which was released on 13 December 2024. The album features the recording of the band's 16 September 2023 performance at Tokyo's legendary Nippon Budokan.[80] The band's seventeenth studio album, Giants & Monsters, was released on 29 August 2025.[81]

Band members

[edit]
Main article: List of Helloween members

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Metal Hammer Awards (GER)
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Helloween Maximum Metal[82] Won
Metal Hall of Fame (USA)

2023 - Metal Hall Of Fame [83]

Best German Metal Band (GER)

2024 - Helloween [84]

Top Streamed Artist and Viewers Choice Award

2025 - Helloween Thunderflix Awards (Won) [85]

Viewers Choice Award

2025 - Helloween Thunderflix Awards (Won) [85]

Discography

[edit]
For a more comprehensive list, see Helloween discography.

Bibliography

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Helloween

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Helloween is a German band formed in 1984 in by guitarist/vocalist , guitarist , bassist , and drummer . Pioneers of the genre, they blended high-speed heavy metal with melodic hooks, operatic vocals, and fantasy-inspired themes, influencing countless bands in the European metal scene. The band's early speed metal phase culminated in their 1985 debut album Walls of Jericho, but global success arrived with the addition of vocalist and the double-album releases Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1 (1987) and Pt. 2 (1988), which featured epic tracks like "Eagle Fly Free" and "I Want Out" and established their signature sound. Following Hansen's departure in 1989 to form , the lineup shifted with Kiske's exit in 1993 and the arrival of singer , ushering in a more progressive era with albums like (1996) and (2002). Despite lineup instability—including the tragic loss of original drummer in 1997—the band persisted, incorporating members like guitarist (2002) and drummer Dani Löble (2005). In 2017, Helloween announced the "Pumpkins United" reunion, bringing back Hansen and Kiske alongside Weikath, Deris, Gerstner, Grosskopf, and Löble for a seven-piece configuration that toured worldwide and released a self-titled in 2021, their first with the expanded lineup and a return to form critically praised for recapturing their classic energy. Building on this momentum, the band issued their seventeenth studio , Giants & Monsters, on , 2025, via Reigning Phoenix Music, featuring new tracks that push their melodic boundaries while honoring their legacy; it includes singles like "This Is " and supports their ongoing 40th-anniversary tour across , , , and . With over 15 studio , millions of records sold, and a lasting impact on , Helloween remains a cornerstone of the genre, embodying resilience through decades of evolution and collaboration.

History

Formation and early years (1984–1985)

Helloween was formed in 1984 in , , by guitarists and , bassist , and drummer , who drew from their experiences in local bands such as Powerfool (where Weikath and Hansen played) and Iron Fist (featuring Hansen, Grosskopf, and Schwichtenberg). The band's name originated from a suggestion by Schwichtenberg, who favored words evoking intensity like "," leading to the playful, thematic "Helloween" to capture a sense of the . During early rehearsals in garages and small spaces, the group refined their sound, initially drawing heavy inspiration from Iron Maiden's galloping riffs and structure but gradually incorporating faster tempos and aggression characteristic of emerging . The initial lineup consisted of Hansen handling both guitar and lead vocals, alongside Weikath on , Grosskopf on bass, and Schwichtenberg on . In late 1985, 18-year-old vocalist joined after auditioning, providing a cleaner, higher-range voice that complemented their evolving style while Hansen focused more on guitar. The band made their debut live appearances in Hamburg clubs starting in early 1985, performing high-energy sets at venues like the and Markthalle to build buzz in the local metal scene. These gigs helped secure their spot on ' 1984 Death Metal compilation, where they contributed the pre-debut tracks "Oernst of Life" and "Metal Invaders," showcasing their raw, Maiden-esque heavy metal roots transitioning toward ferocity. This exposure led to their signing with in 1985, marking a pivotal step in their professional trajectory.

Walls of Jericho and initial success (1985–1986)

In the summer of 1985, Helloween entered Musiclab Studio in , , to record their debut full-length album, Walls of Jericho, over the months of September and October. The sessions were produced by Harris Johns, a veteran engineer known for his work with thrash and acts, who helped capture the band's raw energy through a mix of aggressive riffs and dual vocals from guitarist and new frontman . This marked a significant step for the band, originally formed by guitarists and from earlier acts, as they transitioned from local gigs to professional recording. Released on November 18, 1985, via , Walls of Jericho showcased Helloween's roots with tracks like the high-octane opener "Ride the Sky" and the Judas Priest-inspired "Judas." The album's intense, thrash-influenced sound, clocking in at around 40 minutes, received immediate acclaim within underground metal circles for its relentless pace and melodic hooks, positioning Helloween as a fresh force in the German scene. Though commercial sales were modest initially, it sold steadily in and established the band's reputation for high-speed anthems. Following the release, Helloween solidified their lineup with drummer , whose dynamic playing anchored the rhythm section alongside bassist , enabling a series of early tours that built momentum. In 1986, they undertook their first major European outing, including a German support tour opening for and Grave Digger, performing over 30 shows that expanded their fanbase particularly in hometown and across the country. These performances, marked by energetic live renditions of album cuts, fostered a dedicated following in the burgeoning European metal underground and set the stage for broader recognition.

Keeper of the Seven Keys era (1987–1989)

Following the raw foundations laid on their debut album Walls of Jericho, Helloween entered a transformative phase with Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I, marking a shift toward more epic, melodic structures infused with symphonic elements and fantasy-themed narratives. Recorded at Sound Studios in during late 1986 and early 1987, the album was produced by Tommy Newton during the day and Tommy Hansen at night, allowing the band to generate a wealth of material that ultimately spanned two records. Released on May 23, 1987, via , Part I featured standout tracks like the soaring anthem "Future World" and the intricate, 13-minute title epic "Halloween," which showcased vocalist Michael Kiske's operatic range and guitarists and Michael Weikath's harmonized dual leads. The album achieved moderate commercial breakthrough, peaking at No. 15 on the German Media Control Charts and gaining traction in and , where it introduced Helloween's evolving sound to broader audiences. To promote it, the band embarked on an extensive European tour in , building momentum with high-energy performances that highlighted their technical prowess and Kiske's charismatic stage presence. This period solidified their reputation as innovators in the burgeoning scene, with critics praising the album's ambitious songwriting and production polish. In 1988, Helloween capitalized on this momentum with Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II, recorded at the same studio and released on August 29 via , emphasizing Weikath's contributions alongside Hansen's. The album's title track served as a 13-minute symphonic climax, while singles like "" and the anthemic "I Want Out"—a Hansen-penned declaration of frustration—propelled it to greater heights, with the latter becoming a signature hit that encapsulated the band's themes of rebellion and fantasy. Peaking at No. 5 on the German charts and earning certification for over 250,000 units sold, Part II expanded Helloween's international profile, charting in the UK and (No. 108 on ). The supporting "Pumpkins Fly Free" tour in late 1988 took the band across , including a landmark slot at the festival at on August 20, where they performed to over 100,000 fans alongside acts like . This was followed by their first North American dates and a grueling tour in early 1989, where sold-out shows in and further cemented their global appeal. However, the relentless schedule exacerbated internal strains, particularly for Hansen, who grappled with burnout, creative differences over the band's direction, and clashes with management amid the rapid success. These tensions, compounded by Hansen's bout with , foreshadowed lineup shifts by late 1989, though the era remains Helloween's creative zenith.

Departures and transitional period (1989–1993)

Following the success of the Keeper of the Seven Keys albums, which established Helloween as pioneers of power metal, the band faced significant challenges beginning in late 1988. Guitarist and co-founder Kai Hansen announced his departure on January 1, 1989, primarily due to burnout from the exhaustive touring schedule that accompanied the Keeper era promotions. He cited the physical and mental toll of constant travel as unsustainable, leading him to step away from full-time guitar duties while occasionally contributing vocals. Shortly after, Hansen formed Gamma Ray, recruiting former Helloween auditionee Ralf Scheepers as vocalist to pursue a similar melodic heavy metal style. To fill the guitar void, Helloween recruited Roland Grapow in early 1989, a Hamburg-based musician discovered performing at local clubs. Grapow, previously with Rampage, brought technical proficiency and neoclassical influences to the lineup, debuting during a transitional phase marked by internal tensions and label pressures from . Despite these changes, the core lineup—including vocalist , bassist , and drummer —pushed forward, though creative differences began to surface. The band's struggles intensified with the release of in March 1991, an album that experimented with psychedelic and progressive elements, diverging sharply from the epic of their prior works. Tracks like "Kids of the Century" attempted a more accessible, radio-friendly sound, but the album sold poorly compared to the Keeper benchmarks, peaking at No. 8 in yet failing to chart significantly internationally. Critics noted the lack of cohesive riffs and memorable hooks, attributing the shift to post-tour fatigue and EMI's push for broader appeal. By 1993, further instability emerged as Schwichtenberg's mental health deteriorated amid battles with and , exacerbated by the band's grueling schedule. He was fired during the tour in after erratic behavior onstage, with session drummer Richie Abdel-Nabi stepping in to complete dates. , released in May 1993, continued the experimental vein with and AOR influences on songs like "," but it underperformed commercially, reaching only No. 18 in and alienating fans seeking the high-energy anthems of old. These albums' modest sales—far below the gold status of earlier efforts—highlighted Helloween's difficulty recapturing momentum amid lineup flux. Creative clashes culminated in Kiske's dismissal later in 1993, stemming from disagreements over the band's direction and his reluctance to embrace heavier, more aggressive material. Kiske, who had defined Helloween's soaring vocal style since , felt the experimental pivot undermined the group's metal roots, leading to his exit after the sessions. This period of departures left Helloween in disarray, with Grapow as a stabilizing force but the band grappling to redefine itself amid waning popularity and internal strife.

Andi Deris integration and return to roots (1994–2000)

Following the departures of vocalist and drummer in the early 1990s, which had shifted the band's direction toward , Helloween sought to revitalize their sound by recruiting new members in 1994. , formerly the frontman of , joined as lead vocalist, bringing a fresh melodic approach suited to . Simultaneously, Uli Kusch, previously with and , was brought in on drums to provide a solid, dynamic rhythm foundation. This revamped lineup debuted with the album , released on July 8, 1994, via . The record marked a deliberate return to the band's speed and roots, featuring fast-paced riffs, soaring harmonies, and epic structures reminiscent of their Keeper of the Seven Keys era, while avoiding the progressive detours of prior releases. Standout tracks like "Mr. Ego (Take Me to the Riot)," "Perfect Gentleman," and "The Chance" showcased Deris's versatile vocals and the group's re-energized style, with songs evoking the high-energy anthems of classics such as "Future World." The album's success, peaking at No. 22 on the German charts, signaled an early recovery in fan interest and helped re-establish Helloween's European presence. Building on this momentum, Helloween released on February 29, 1996, through , a exploring themes of perseverance and oath-keeping with a heavier, more aggressive edge. Tracks such as "Power," "," and "Mission Clear" emphasized intricate guitar work from and Roland Grapow, alongside Kusch's precise drumming, reinforcing the power metal essence. The album charted at No. 6 in and supported an extensive world tour, including headlining slots at major festivals, which further solidified the band's live reputation. Capturing this period's energy, the live album , recorded at the 1996 and other shows, was issued in August 1996, highlighting crowd favorites and Deris's commanding stage presence. The band continued their resurgence with on April 20, 1998, via Raw Power, an album that blended raw heaviness with melodic hooks, produced in Deris's studio. Songs like "Push," "Falling Higher," and "If I Could Fly" demonstrated refined songwriting and a balance of aggression and accessible choruses, earning praise for recapturing the band's foundational spirit. Peaking at No. 16 in , it contributed to growing international sales and tour attendance. In 1999, Helloween explored their influences on the covers album , released April 26 via Raw Power, reinterpreting tracks from , Uriah Heep, and with a twist, which appealed to longtime fans and broadened their appeal. The era concluded with on October 30, 2000, via Nuclear Blast, an album that introduced a darker, more progressive and industrial-influenced sound, diverging from the upbeat of previous releases. Featuring tracks like "Mr. Torture" and "If I Knew," it peaked at No. 16 on the German charts but received mixed reviews for its heavier tone, foreshadowing lineup changes. By the end of the decade, these efforts had successfully rebuilt and expanded Helloween's European fanbase, restoring their status as pioneers.

Lineup instability (2001–2005)

Following the release of in 2000, which marked a significant shift toward a darker, more progressive and industrial-influenced sound compared to the band's earlier roots, Helloween experienced major lineup upheaval in 2001. Guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch were both dismissed by founding member due to escalating personal and musical differences, including disagreements over the band's artistic direction and internal attitudes. This instability stemmed from tensions exacerbated by the experimental tone of , which, while praised by some for its sinister edge and heavier riffs, drew mixed reception for alienating traditional fans expecting the upbeat, melodic style of prior Deris-era albums like . To stabilize the lineup, Helloween recruited guitarist from in late 2001, injecting fresh energy while maintaining the core of vocalist , bassist , and Weikath. On the drumming front, Mark Cross from Metalium joined temporarily in August 2001 but departed before completing recordings due to health issues and scheduling conflicts. , known for his work with Accept and Running Wild, stepped in as a short-term replacement in 2003 to handle drum duties for the band's next album. Amid these changes, legal disputes arose in 2003–2004 over ownership of the Helloween band name, pitting Weikath—who held primary rights—against former member , complicating the group's operations and publicity efforts during this turbulent period. These conflicts highlighted ongoing fractures from the band's early history, forcing a focus on rebuilding cohesion. The period culminated in the 2003 release of Rabbit Don't Come Easy, recorded amid the flux and featuring contributions from guest musicians to fill gaps in the lineup. Producer and multi-instrumentalist Sascha Paeth provided additional guitars, bass, and mandolin, while Gamma Ray guitarist Henjo Richter guested on select tracks, helping to blend progressive elements with a return to more accessible power metal hooks. Schwarzmann's solid, groove-oriented drumming anchored much of the album, though Cross contributed to a few songs before his exit, reflecting the makeshift nature of the sessions. Despite the challenges, the record signaled Helloween's resilience, achieving moderate commercial success and setting the stage for further lineup adjustments.

Stable revival and steady output (2006–2015)

Following the lineup instability of the early 2000s, Helloween entered a period of stability beginning in 2005, with core members on vocals, and on guitars, on bass, and new drummer , who joined that year and contributed to the band's recordings from then onward. This consistent formation, the longest in the band's history up to that point, allowed for focused creativity and sustained output in the power metal genre. The era began with the release of Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy on , 2005, a that served as a bridge between the band's classic era and its modern sound, incorporating epic structures reminiscent of the original Keeper saga while fully integrating Gerstner as a co-songwriter and performer on guitar. Löble's drumming added a fresh dynamic to the tracks, supporting the album's ambitious 24-song runtime and themes of fantasy and heroism. In 2007, Helloween released on October 26, exploring themes of fate, temptation, and redemption through songs like "Final Fortune" and "The Bells of the 7 Hells," which evoked a darker, more introspective edge while maintaining the band's melodic foundation. That same year, the band marked its legacy with the live release Hellish Videos: The Complete Video Collection, a DVD compiling from "Halloween" (1987) to "Mrs. God" (2005), highlighting their visual evolution and fan engagement. The stability continued with 7 Sinners in 2010, an album that returned to the band's classic high-speed, aggressive roots with intense tracks like "Are You Metal?" and "Who Is Mr. Madman?," emphasizing raw energy and shorter, punchier compositions compared to prior experimental efforts. To celebrate their 25th anniversary since formation in 1984, Helloween issued in November 2009, featuring acoustic and symphonic re-recordings of hits such as "Future World" and "I Want Out," produced with the 80-piece Prague Philharmonic Orchestra to showcase their enduring catalog. Capping the decade, arrived on January 18, 2013, achieving commercial success by debuting at No. 97 on the with over 4,100 U.S. sales in its first week and topping charts in and . The album's blend of heavy riffs and anthemic choruses, as in "World of War" and "Nabataea," supported extensive world tours, including stops in , , , and , where the band performed to sold-out crowds and solidified their global fanbase. The period closed with on May 29, 2015, via Nuclear Blast, featuring energetic tracks like "Heroes" and "Stay Down," which peaked at No. 2 on the German charts and reinforced the band's consistent output. This steady phase reinforced Helloween's position as pioneers through reliable releases and live performances.

Pumpkins United reunion (2016–2021)

In November 2016, Helloween announced the "Pumpkins United" project, reuniting original vocalist and guitarist/vocalist with the current lineup of vocalist , guitarist , bassist , guitarist , and drummer Dani Löble for a special world tour. This expanded seven-piece formation marked the first time since the early 1990s that Kiske and Hansen would perform Helloween material alongside the band's later-era members, emphasizing a collaborative approach to their shared legacy. The Pumpkins United World Tour commenced on October 28, 2017, in , Brazil, and spanned multiple continents, including extensive legs across , North and , and through 2018. The shows featured three-hour sets blending classic tracks from the band's early era—such as those from the Keeper of the Seven Keys albums—with material from the Deris-led years, allowing both Kiske and Deris to share vocal duties and Hansen to reprise his original roles. Due to high demand, the tour was extended with the "United Alive World Tour Part II" announced in late 2019, adding dates in and beyond into 2020 and 2021, though some were postponed amid the . To document the reunion's success, Helloween released the live album United Alive in on October 4, 2019, capturing a December 2018 performance at the WiZink Center in with over three hours of material, including hits like "Eagle Fly Free" and "I Want Out," presented in stereo and formats. The release, available on CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and vinyl, highlighted the seamless integration of the expanded lineup and received praise for its production quality and energetic renditions of the band's catalog. The reunion culminated in the band's self-titled studio album Helloween, released on June 18, 2021, via Nuclear Blast, featuring the full Pumpkins United lineup and blending the high-speed, melodic of their 1980s roots with the more progressive elements of their and output. Standout tracks included the epic opener "Skyfall," released as the lead single on April 2, 2021, which showcased vocal interplay between Kiske, Deris, and Hansen amid soaring riffs and orchestral swells, evoking an otherworldly chase narrative. The album earned widespread critical acclaim for its vitality and cohesion, with reviewers noting it as one of Helloween's strongest efforts in decades, often citing its heavy, melodic intensity and refusal to rely solely on nostalgia.

Recent developments (2022–present)

Following the conclusion of the initial Pumpkins United World Tour in 2021, Helloween continued their extensive touring schedule into 2022 and 2023 as part of the United Forces Tour, which faced multiple postponements due to ongoing restrictions and pandemic-related challenges. These adjustments included rescheduling European and North American dates from 2022 to spring 2023, allowing the band to perform with special guests like and maintain momentum from the reunion era. In 2025, Helloween released their seventeenth studio album, Giants & Monsters, on August 29 via Reigning Phoenix Music. Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward and mixed at Wisseloord Studios, the album features ten tracks that expand the band's melodic sound with epic structures and uplifting themes, including singles like "This Is " and the eight-and-a-half-minute "Universe (Gravity For Hearts)." To mark their 40th anniversary, Helloween launched the 40 Years Anniversary Tour, beginning with a European leg from October 17 to November 22, 2025, starting in and concluding in , supported by . The tour extends into 2026 with dates in (December 2025), (May 2026), and a North American leg from April 7 to May 2, 2026, kicking off in and including stops in , Boston, New York City, and , also featuring as special guests. The shows incorporate new material from Giants & Monsters alongside rare tracks from the band's catalog, with pop-up stores in select cities like and offering exclusive merchandise. The band's current seven-member lineup—comprising , , , Dani Löble, , , and —has fostered a collaborative dynamic, particularly among the three lead vocalists. In interviews, Kiske highlighted the benefits of this arrangement, noting it reduces vocal strain while adding variety and color to performances, with egos subdued in favor of song-focused decisions; Deris echoed this, describing seamless vocal swaps and harmony contributions as a strength of the reunion format. Regarding future plans, band members have hinted at ongoing songwriting for a successor to Giants & Monsters, emphasizing a sustainable model for continued output and live shows to preserve the Helloween legacy.

Musical style and influences

Evolution from speed to power metal

Helloween's early sound on Walls of Jericho (1985) was firmly rooted in , characterized by aggressive high tempos, blistering fast riffs, and raw, high-pitched vocals delivered by . This raw energy drew brief influences from German acts like Accept and Running Wild, establishing a thrash-tinged foundation that prioritized intensity over melody. The band's style underwent a pivotal transition with the Keeper of the Seven Keys albums (1987–1988), evolving into melodic marked by soaring, harmonized dual guitar lines, symphonic flourishes, and anthemic structures. These works fused the drive of their debut with neo-classical elements and optimistic, fantasy-driven lyrics, creating epic tracks that emphasized catchiness and grandeur over pure aggression. In the era beginning in 1994, Helloween refined their formula, incorporating progressive touches such as intricate compositions and darker tones on (2000), which marked one of their heaviest and most experimental releases. Later albums like (1996) balanced these innovations with returns to classic, upbeat anthems, maintaining the genre's core while adapting to new production techniques. The 2021 self-titled reunion album further hybridized the band's sound by blending Michael Kiske's high-range, soaring vocals with ' mid-range delivery, resulting in a dynamic fusion that combined euphoric melodies, thunderous riffs, and occasional prog-metal grit across diverse tracks. This approach revitalized their style, drawing on both eras to produce ultra-melodic with sharpened choruses and octave-spanning harmonies. The band's seventeenth studio album, Giants & Monsters (2025), continues this evolution by blending soaring vocals, melodic hooks, and blistering riffs in an exuberant power metal framework, pushing melodic boundaries while honoring their legacy.

Key influences and thematic elements

Helloween's musical style draws heavily from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, particularly Iron Maiden's epic song structures and narrative-driven compositions, which influenced the band's development of expansive, story-like tracks. Judas Priest's powerful vocal delivery and twin-guitar harmonies also shaped Helloween's sound, evident in the high-pitched, operatic singing and riffing on early albums. As Hamburg natives, the band shared a local scene with peers like Running Wild, incorporating pirate-themed energy and speed metal aggression into their initial raw edge. The band's lyrics frequently explore fantasy realms, heroism, and supernatural encounters, as seen in "Halloween," which depicts a nightmarish pursuit by evil spirits and ghostly figures in a gothic, otherworldly setting. Songs like "Dr. Stein" embrace humorous horror tropes, portraying a resurrecting monsters and cloning hybrids in a Frankenstein-inspired tale of creation gone awry. Helloween's iconic pumpkin , —a grinning, demonic head—originated in the mid-1980s as a playful nod to the band's name, first appearing on the artwork for their self-titled EP () and evolving into a staple symbol of their whimsical horror aesthetic. This branding extended to stage shows with pumpkin-headed characters and merchandise, reinforcing themes of Halloween mischief and metal fantasy during tours and visuals. In later works, Helloween incorporated elements, such as orchestral flourishes and neoclassical guitar phrasing, drawing inspiration from Deep Purple's fusion of rock with symphonic motifs and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow-era blends of and influences. These additions enriched their framework, adding melodic depth and progressive layers to songs.

Band members

Current members

The current lineup of Helloween, known as the "Pumpkins United" formation since 2016, consists of seven members who have been actively performing and recording together as of 2025, including the return of original frontman and co-founder alongside the core group established in the mid-1990s. This septet has toured extensively and released the album Giants & Monsters in August 2025, blending their classic speed and styles.
MemberRoleJoin Date
Guitar, backing vocals; founding member and primary songwriter1984
Bass, backing vocals; founding member1984
Lead vocals1994
Guitar, backing vocals2002
Daniel LöbleDrums2005
Guitar, lead and backing vocals; founding member1984 (rejoined 2016)
Lead vocals1987–1993 (rejoined 2016)
In this configuration, Weikath and Grosskopf provide continuity as the band's only uninterrupted members since inception, with Weikath contributing the majority of songwriting material across their . Hansen and Kiske share lead vocal duties with Deris during live performances and recordings, creating a dynamic three-vocalist front that has defined their recent output. Gerstner and Löble round out the rhythm section, supporting the dual-guitar leads characteristic of Helloween's sound.

Former members and timeline

Helloween's lineup underwent several significant changes from its formation in 1984 through the mid-2010s, marked by departures driven by creative, personal, and health-related factors. Founding guitarist and vocalist , who co-founded the band alongside guitarist , bassist , and drummer , served from 1984 to 1989 before leaving due to exhaustion and creative differences to form his own project, Gamma Ray. Hansen made occasional guest appearances with the band in the 1990s, including onstage during tours. Vocalist joined in 1987 and remained until 1993, when he departed amid band direction disagreements and internal dysfunction following Hansen's exit. Drummer , an original member since 1984, was fired in 1993 due to escalating issues compounded by drug and alcohol problems; he tragically died by in 1995 at age 29. Guitarist Roland Grapow replaced Hansen in 1989 and contributed to the band for over a decade until his dismissal in 2001, stemming from tensions and disagreements over the creative direction of the album . Similarly, drummer Uli Kusch, who joined in 1994, was let go in 2001 for the same musical differences and reported attitude issues within the group. The band then recruited Mark Cross on drums in 2001 for the album (2003), but he departed in 2003 due to health issues; replaced him, serving until 2005 when joined. The following timeline outlines key lineup changes from 1984 to 2016:
YearChangeDetails
1984FormationOriginal lineup: (vocals/guitar), (guitar), (bass), (drums).
1987Vocalist addition joins as lead singer.
1989Guitarist departure and replacementHansen leaves to form ; Roland Grapow joins on guitar.
1993Vocalist and drummer departuresKiske exits due to creative disputes; Schwichtenberg fired over health issues.
1994New members addition joins as lead vocalist; Uli Kusch joins on drums.
2001Guitarist and drummer dismissalsGrapow and Kusch fired amid tensions over album direction. Mark Cross joins on drums.
2002Guitarist addition joins on guitar.
2003Drummer changeMark Cross leaves due to health issues; joins on drums.
2005Drummer addition joins on drums.
2016Reunion announcementHansen and Kiske rejoin for Pumpkins United tour, expanding the lineup temporarily.
This period of flux contrasted with the relative stability of the current members since 2005.

Discography

Studio albums

Helloween's debut studio album, Walls of Jericho, was released in 1985 by . The album marked the band's initial foray into , featuring raw production by Tommy Hansen at Horus Sound Studio in Hannover, . Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I arrived in 1987, followed by Part II in 1988, both issued by Electrola. These double s represented an international breakthrough for the band, with extended compositions and a shift toward , produced again by Tommy Hansen. Part II achieved notable success, reaching number 65 on the German year-end album charts of 1988. The 1991 release , also on , experimented with psychedelic and pop elements, resulting in a creative low point for the band amid lineup changes and commercial pressures, produced by Tommy Hansen. It peaked at number 32 on the German album charts. Chameleon (1993, EMI Electrola) continued the experimental direction but with mixed reception, peaking at number 35 on the German album charts and produced by Tommy Hansen. Master of the Rings (1994, Raw Power Records) signaled a revival with a return to classic power metal sound, produced by Tommy Hansen and featuring Andi Deris on vocals for the first time; it achieved chart success in Germany at number 22. In 1996, The Time of the Oath was released by Castle Communications, peaking at number 31 in Germany and produced by Tommy Hansen, emphasizing the band's oath against alcohol and drugs during recording. Better Than Raw (1998, ) built on the revival with melodic elements, produced by Tommy Hansen, and peaked at number 19 on the German album charts. The Dark Ride (2000, Nuclear Blast) marked a progressive shift with darker themes and production by Tommy Hansen and Charlie Bauerfeind, peaking at number 26 in . Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003, Nuclear Blast) featured guest appearances and a return to heavier riffs, produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, peaking at number 26 in . Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy (2005, ) debuted at number 28 in , produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, serving as a to the original Keeper saga with epic storytelling. Gambling with the Devil followed in 2007 on , entering German charts at number 38 and produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, exploring themes of temptation with a heavier edge. The 2010 album 7 Sinners, released by , peaked at number 25 in and was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, incorporating modern production techniques while honoring the band's roots. (2013, ) reached number 4 in , produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, and featured a return to aggressive riffs. My God-Given Right (2015, Nuclear Blast) continued the steady output, peaking at number 8 in , produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, with themes of personal empowerment. The self-titled Helloween (2021, Nuclear Blast) commemorated the Pumpkins United reunion, debuting at number 1 in and produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, blending classic and modern lineups for broad appeal. Giants & Monsters (2025, Reigning Phoenix Music), released on 29 August, entered German charts at number 3 and was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward, pushing boundaries with ambitious compositions and thematic depth.

Live albums, EPs, and compilations

Helloween has released several live albums capturing their energetic performances across various tours, alongside EPs that served as early singles packages and compilations highlighting career highlights and rarities. The band's first notable live release, , was issued in 1996 in both audio and video formats, documenting concerts from their 1996 European tour supporting . Recorded in locations including and , it marked the debut live recording with vocalist , featuring a setlist blending new material like "We Burn" and "Sole Survivor" with classics such as "Eagle Fly Free." In 2019, United Alive in Madrid arrived as a double live album from the Pumpkins United World Tour, which reunited original vocalist and guitarist with the current lineup. Captured at the WiZink Center in on December 18, 2017, the recording spans 24 tracks, including fan favorites "I Want Out" and "Future World," emphasizing the tour's celebratory fusion of eras. Live at Budokan, released in 2024, chronicles a performance at Tokyo's famed Budokan arena during the band's 2023 Japanese tour. The double-CD set includes staples like "Halloween" and "" alongside tracks from their self-titled 2021 album, showcasing the post-reunion lineup's cohesion in a high-energy environment. Early EPs like Judas (1986) functioned as a singles package, featuring the non-album title track "Judas" alongside of "Ride the Sky" and "Guardians" from the Walls of Jericho era, providing fans with raw, energetic glimpses of their roots. Similarly, Future World (1987) bundled the hit single from Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I with live cuts like "Phantoms of Death," bridging studio output with stage vitality during their rising popularity. Compilations include The Best, the Rest, the Rare (1991), a 13-track collection spanning 1984–1988 that curates hits like "I Want Out" and "Future World," B-sides such as "Judas," and rarities including early demos, offering a retrospective of their formative years. The Keeper of the Seven Keys box set (2000) repackaged the landmark Parts I and II albums with bonus material, remastered audio, and additional live tracks, reinforcing their status as cornerstones. More recently, United Forces (2021) emerged as a five-track EP drawing from the Pumpkins United tour, with selections like "Halloween" and "I Want Out" in live form, tying into the reunion's momentum. In 2025, amid their 40th anniversary tour, Helloween issued March of Time (The Best of 40 Years), a three-CD compilation tracing their evolution with over 40 tracks, including deep cuts like "" and live staples, curated to celebrate four decades of influence. No dedicated live album from the ongoing anniversary tour has been released as of November 2025, though performances feature extended sets blending eras.

Legacy and recognition

Impact on power metal and heavy metal

Helloween played a pivotal role in pioneering the "happy metal" subgenre during the late , characterized by upbeat, melodic that infused heavy metal with optimistic energy, joy, and fantasy-driven themes, diverging from the darker tones prevalent in thrash and traditional heavy metal. This innovative approach, exemplified in their Keeper of the Seven Keys albums, blended fast tempos, soaring vocals, and harmonized guitars to create an accessible yet epic sound that became the blueprint for . By emphasizing positivity and technical melody over aggression alone, Helloween transformed 's raw intensity into a more grandiose, uplifting style that resonated widely. The band's influence extended profoundly to subsequent acts, particularly through their use of epic song structures featuring extended compositions, neo-classical elements, and narrative-driven lyrics. Groups such as , , and drew directly from Helloween's melodic frameworks and high-energy dynamics, adopting similar harmonized guitar leads and anthemic choruses to define their own sounds. Helloween's early works inspired these bands to explore fantasy themes and virtuosic instrumentation, solidifying the genre's emphasis on heroism and technical prowess. Helloween contributed significantly to power metal's revival across Europe in the 1990s, particularly with the release of Master of the Rings in 1994, which marked a return to their core melodic style under new vocalist Andi Deris and reinvigorated the scene amid the grunge era's dominance. This resurgence helped propagate the genre beyond Germany, fostering its growth in Japan—where Helloween achieved strong fan support through tours, including their 1989 Pumpkin Fly Free Tour—and the United States, where their international tours and album success broadened power metal's appeal. The Keeper of the Seven Keys series endures as genre classics, with Part II (1988) surpassing one million copies sold worldwide, underscoring their lasting commercial and artistic impact. Their 2025 album Giants & Monsters debuted at #1 in Germany and charted in the top 10 across multiple countries as of October 2025, demonstrating continued commercial vitality.

Awards, nominations, and tributes

Helloween has garnered several accolades within the heavy metal community, reflecting their enduring influence on the genre. They were nominated for Best German Artist at the German Awards in 2011, alongside notable acts like and Scorpions, determined by public internet voting. More recently, Helloween won the Best German Metal Band category at the 2024 Awards, highlighting their continued relevance. In 2023, Helloween was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame during a ceremony onstage at Terminal 5 in , honoring their role in establishing power metal's foundations; the induction was presented by vocalist . The band's legacy has inspired numerous tributes from peers and fans. Tribute albums such as The Keepers of Jericho: A Tribute to Helloween (2000), featuring covers by acts including performing "Guardians" and on "I Want Out," showcase their songs reinterpreted by international metal bands. Similarly, HelloRay: A Tribute to Helloween & (2012) includes renditions by groups like Gaia Epicus and , paying homage to shared tracks from both bands. Helloween has also collaborated extensively with —founded by former member —including joint tours such as the 2013 European run where they performed each other's material live.

References

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