Helloween – Giants And Monsters album review

REVIEWER – GRAEME WRIGHT

For the most part I try to review new releases from up and coming artists because they are obviously the future of this genre of music. Sometimes however, the big boys turn up and show everybody else how it should be done, and with this album Helloween have hit the jackpot. They have a strong body of work anyway, but for me this is probably the best thing they have done since the original ‘Keeper Of The Seven Keys’, which was also my introduction to the band back in 1987. That album was full of killer songs, some epic, some shorter and incredibly catchy, all great and it broke the band across the world.

The new album treads in that records sacred path. Ten songs spread over fifty minutes, all top quality and of the highest calibre. Opening track ‘Giants On The Run’ sets the bar high. It’s a fast paced storming record that builds and builds to a big chorus before segueing to a thunderous backbeat that is immediately recognisable as a Helloween track. ‘Savior Of The World’ thunders into action with soaring vocals that wouldn’t sound out of place on those early Helloween records and is none the worse for that comparison. ‘A Little Is A Little Too Much’ is absolute perfection with everything coming together for what is probably the biggest crowd pleaser on the album. A huge chorus that’s been in my head for days, combined with insistent rhythm guitar work this will be a fist pumper in the live arena you can mark my words.

‘We Can Be Gods’ has a monstrous bass line and is another rollicking good time with an amazing guitar solo smack bang in the middle that ties things up perfectly. ‘Into The Sun’ slows things down in epic fashion with a twin vocal performance that works so well and adds an almost orchestral feel to the song that makes it feel fresh and original. ‘This Is Tokyo’ is a love letter to that city with yet another massive chorus combined with heartfelt lyrics and sizzling playing all round. ‘Universe (Gravity For Hearts)’ is an amazing eight minute track that is the best record on this album and is somewhat reminiscent of ‘Keeper Of The Seven Keys’ in both scope and ambition. It’s a fabulous song that’s among the best Helloween have ever released. That’s not the end of things though, ‘Hand Of God’ (no, it’s not about Diego Maradona) is another strong effort that’s a bit different to the rest of the album. A synth start to things with a touch of electronica throughout, it’s a darker song compared to most in this collection and for me at least it’s a refreshing change of pace.

We are in the home straight now and ‘Under The Moonlight’ doesn’t disappoint. It’s a traditional Helloween track to be sure, but occasionally if something isn’t broken it doesn’t need to be fixed. ‘Majestic’ is the album closer and it’s another beast of a track that’s over seven minutes in length. It’s another classic and is a fine end to one of the albums of the year so far. If you are a fan of the band you can rest assured that they are still at the top of their game, and if you are new to this outfit then this is a great place to start before you address their back catalogue. Fantastic stuff.

BAND

Kai Hansen – Vocals, Guitar

Michael Kiske – Vocals

Andi Deris – Vocals

Michael Weikath – Guitar

Sascha Gerstner- Guitar

Markus Grosskopf – Bass

Daniel Löble – Drums

ALBUM TRACK LIST

1. Giants On The Run
2. Savior Of The World
3. A Little Is A Little Too Much
4. We Can Be Gods
5. Into The Sun
6. This Is Tokyo
7. Universe (Gravity For Hearts)
8. Hand Of God
9. Under The Moonlight
10. Majestic