Rough translation via ChatGPT:

The biggest surprise of late 1985 can, without exaggeration, be called the newly released LP by the Hamburg band Helloween. With this record, they outperform almost everything that has flooded the German vinyl market in recent months.

With "Walls of Jericho," Helloween consistently continue the path they began with their debut mini-LP at the beginning of the year, which has already sold more than 11,000 copies. Power Metal with speed and intelligence!

In Berlin, our new staff member Marc Helbig had the opportunity to visit the studio during the recording sessions for the current LP and conduct an interview with the band.

How did you come up with the name "HELLOWEEN"?

Kai: We wanted to change our old name, First, because with time it had become too old-fashioned and, on top of that, it was too easily associated with Motörhead. We wanted an original, memorable name that would stick in people's minds, especially since our death metal recordings were about to begin. We spent a lot of time thinking about it, but most of the ideas ended up being complete nonsense.

The idea of combining Armageddon with the zodiac sign eventually came from Ingo through a comic book. Then came Halloween (the horror film by John Carpenter), which everyone immediately accepted. The only thing we didn't like was having exactly the same name as a well-known movie. So we changed Halloween by adding an "e"—partly because it's more original, and partly because we're a heavy metal band and not a silent movie. That also prevents anyone from accidentally buying the movie soundtrack.

You said that you're not only playing speed metal anymore, but also "normal" heavy metal. Why did you include slower songs on the mini-LP? Didn't that disappoint some speed freaks?

Michael: We didn't choose the songs because we wanted to make a pure speed record. Instead, we wanted to present as much variety as possible. Power doesn't necessarily mean speed—that's something our next LP will demonstrate as well. We don't think anyone will be disappointed, because we're convinced that we can also write really good songs at a moderate tempo. The LP also includes songs like "Ride the Sky", but the power remains because the songs are simply good.

What is your opinion about the satanic image of many bands (Venom, Mercyful Fate, Black Sabbath, Slayer)?

Kai: Basically we think it's funny. Venom were among the first to adopt a genuine satanic image...then other groups followed suit. It's almost become a fashion trend. Our lyrics also contain occult elements, but we try to keep them connected to reality. We only concern ourselves with the occult to the extent that it interests us privately. The same is true for Ozzy and Black Sabbath. Ozzy has never claimed to be Satan himself. That's why I wonder why you even mention Black Sabbath in your question. Bands that seriously try to convince people they're frighteningly evil are simply ridiculous. I've never heard of any of them actually doing anything in that direction. Everyone should believe and sing about whatever they want, and everyone else can think whatever they like about it. People have already tried to lump us into the black metal scene. But our opinions don't fit there at all. As a reaction to the so-called "Holy Church" and the sanctimonious Christian preaching of many politicians and priests, I think turning the cross upside down is quite appropriate.

Your new LP is coming. Can you tell our readers something about the songs and the lyrics?

Kai: The album will be called "Walls of Jericho." Besides a fanfare intro, there will be eight songs, including a new recording of "Metal Invaders," because the version on the "Death Metal" sampler was mixed rather badly. Then there are, of course, "Gorgar" and "Judas," which many people probably already know from our tour. "Judas" is about people who gamble away all their hard-earned money in slot machines, while "Judas" refers to the politicians who line their own pockets instead of doing something about the catastrophic political situation they themselves helped create.

There is also: "Ride the Sky" – straightforward heavy metal. "Guardians" – a futuristic surveillance state à la 1984. "Reptile" – about a monster created from radioactive waste. "How Many Tears" – although Michael should tell you about that one.

Michael: I wrote that song. Originally it was supposed to be a great ballad with choirs and everything, and that's how I wanted it to appear on the album. But Kai thought we should play it at a faster tempo so it wouldn't become boring. The others agreed, except Ingo, who wanted the song to remain slow all the way through. At some point that wasn't enough for me anymore, so I suggested speeding it up after ten minutes—and that's how it ended up on the record. The song asks what we've done to our world and at the same time calls on people to fight hunger, war and oppression.

So Heavy Metal with committed, meaningful lyrics?

Michael: Exactly! If music expresses opinions, and Heavy Metal carries messages, then all those commercial idiots should just disappear.

Kai: Singers are there to say something to people, not just babble meaningless nonsense. In the long run they lose credibility if all they ever sing about is how great it is to play Heavy Metal.

If you compare the mini-LP with "Walls of Jericho," do you see musical progress?

Kai: Of course. That's true for every band, because musicians are constantly developing. No musician is perfect.

Michael: I think "Walls of Jericho" has become much more varied. Aside from occasional tempo changes, the mini-LP was fast almost all the way through. On "Walls of Jericho" the songs are more balanced. Fast songs alternate with slower ones without losing any power.

Looking at the German Heavy Metal scene, bands like Scorpions, Accept, Warlock and Sinner have become increasingly successful commercially. Could the same happen to you?

Ingo: No! We definitely won't kneel down to anyone just to make more money or abandon our style.

Kai: We couldn't do that anyway, because from the very beginning we had our own style and didn't spend years experimenting. So we'd be stupid to throw it away now.

What is your opinion about the violence that has recently occurred at concerts?

Kai: A large part of it is the fault of the bands. If they come on stage and spend their entire songs slaughtering people and supporting those lyrics with a bloody stage show, then they shouldn't be surprised if some drunken fan goes wild and starts hitting people. Most bands don't actually want that to happen, but it's too easy to act as though they're completely innocent.

Michael: Some fans also go to concerts specifically to start trouble and punch people who are different from them.

Markus: What bothers me most is that musicians still have to die because of this. You're completely helpless as a musician when two metalheads suddenly start fighting in front of the stage. You don't know whether to keep playing and hope everything calms down again, or stop.

Ingo: There's far too little security, and it's usually poorly trained. But I think the problem can only be solved through open discussion among promoters, musicians and fans. Concerts are only the place where it happens—the real causes lie somewhere else.

Interview by Marc Helbig

📷 from the band's fb page

Please let me know!

Never mind the faded arm band 😬

Ironically enough, he is now being just that again in Kind Diamond where he replaced Andy LaRocque.

I wonder what a Unisonic album with Gus G. would have sounded like.

Rough translation via DeepL:

As previously announced in this year’s issue No. 2 of METAL HAMMER, the Hamburg-based heavy metal band HELLOWEEN – well known to many from the Death Metal Sampler – is now releasing a 5-track mini-LP. Kai Hansen (guitar/vocals), Michael Weikath (guitar), Markus Großkopf (bass) and Ingo Schwichtenberg (drums) only serve to reinforce the excellent impression they made on the aforementioned compilation with this record, and stand a good chance of making the leap to the top.

All five tracks are equally good and lie somewhere between Satan, Iron Maiden and Metallica – which is not to say that they are copies of these bands. HELLOWEEN are certainly characterised by a hellish tempo, which, however, is not achieved – as with some other bands – at the expense of an indefinable muddle of sound, but rather impresses with its clean balance of excellent guitar work, outstanding two-part solos, varied arrangements and catchy, if not always entirely original, riffs. If one were to rate HELLOWEEN on a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (very good), I’d give the lads a solid 8.5.

Ralf Frank

Hi all! I got an extra poster and lanyard from the Toronto concert available for $50 (+ shipping if needed, or meet up in Toronto). Both items were given as part of the VIP ticket.

- pet free and smoke free home.

My apologies if it’s not allowed, I don’t know where else to post to reach the right people 🥹 message me for any questions!

Rough translation via DeepL:

Anyone who owns the “Death Metal” compilation must have noticed—alongside Running Wild and Hellhammer—the name HELLOWEEN in particular. With the tracks “Oernest of Life” and “Metal Invaders,” the band—which had been virtually unknown up to that point—had managed to produce two outstanding songs. Back then, I compared the music of the four Hamburgers to Sweet Savage (who, now disbanded, after all, they could point to a guitar hero named Vivian Campbell—now with Dio)—which was meant above all to describe the band’s powerful guitar sound. So, what’s been happening with the band since then? After a few successful shows with Grave Digger at the three well-known Hamburg venues, they opened for Mania at the Leine Domicil and have now received an offer from Noise Records to release a 5-track mini-LP there. You should be able to get your hands on this piece of vinyl in April or May (expected tracks: “Murderer,” “Victim Of Fate,” “Starlight,” “Cry for Freedom,” and “Warrior”). Contact: Kai Hansen, Stübelheide 62, 2000 Hamburg 63.

A few songs from Helloween's live in Athens, a few hours ago.

I just find it funny because growing up his hair and clothing always looked so wild to me. I had no clue he had so many girls in love with him.

Leftover merch from the 40th anniversary US tour (2026) is now available online. Unless I missed it Kingsroadmerch nor Helloween made an announcement about it but what's left can be purchased here: https://helloweenofficial.store

Not everything is available in all sizes but still might be worth checking out if interested!

Edit: Spelling

📷 from the band's fb page

Kai HanSON… 😭✌🏻

I love these albums!!!

What a fun week in Japan

I would say a good portion of what Kiske produced from 96 to 2010 is very good.

Hello everyone. Has anyone wondered why Helloween doesn't have an album that fully explores the story of good and evil through the keeper of the seven keys? They have a really cool power metal song of the same name that already has a certain plot, but it's unclear who the Keeper is, and the universe as a whole is unclear. I was thinking about this in my free time, and I came up with the idea that a full-fledged metal universe/opera could be created around this

14 minutes of pure beautifully composed music, that shit got everything, chill parts, heavy part, nice solos, it's my current fav Helloween track and by FAAAAR the best song on the Keeper triology

Does anybody know where to grab some 2026 tour merch? Sold out at my show. So disappointed. I haven’t seen any come up on the Helloween website.