With 15 gold awards, six platinum awards and over ten million records sold, HELLOWEEN are celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary with the successor to their self-titled #1 album from 2021. GIANTS & MONSTERS is the second album for the legendary line-up and the title immediately states where the album is heading.
Confident and bursting with vigor, the septet presents what probably is the most versatile album of their career. Already the opener “GIANTS ON THE RUN” flips the switch from the very first riff and impressively marks the terrain with the power voices of Andi Deris and Kai Hansen. No trace of restraint – the track takes a breath, takes off and unleashes a roar that leaves no doubt about the blazing pulse of the ten new songs. On this album, the experience and musical enthusiasm of a band that can do anything and everything blazes its way: Heavy, speed, rock, ballad – plain, intricate or progressive. With five strong songwriters and seven world-class musicians, creative limits are set aside once and for all on GIANTS & MONSTERS.
Musically rather straightforward and a veritable hit, “A LITTLE IS A LITTLE TOO MUCH” gives Andi Deris and Michael Kiske the space their monumental voices need for an intimate story. “Basically, it’s about the famous straw that breaks the camel’s back. During the writing process, however, I remembered an experience I had at the age of 15 and the lyrics ended up being pretty erotic – about little things that can quickly put an end to a big thing”, grins Deris. “THIS IS TOKYO” is another personal track. “I’ve always wanted to write this song. Japan plays a very special role in my life because I had my first big successes there with Pink Cream 69, and they have always treated me incredibly well. I wanted to create a tribute to Japan and finally had the right idea for the lyrics. Because ‘Tokyo’ sounds better in a chorus than ‘Japan’, the city stands for a whole country that is very important to me.”
“‘UNIVERSE (GRAVITY FOR HEARTS)" is a reminder that everything in the universe is connected, and what looks like an infinite number of stars could actually be moments, hearts and decisions,” describes songwriter Sascha Gerstner. With a playing time of over eight minutes, “UNIVERSE (GRAVITY FOR HEARTS)”, together with “MAJESTIC”, not only stands out as a longtrack – they both surprise with dizzying dynamic changes and huge melodic arcs that create entire worlds: Whatever you believe in is real. Alongside “WE CAN BE GODS”, “MAJESTIC” is also one of the tracks featuring all three singers of the HELLOWEEN super alliance. Both songs were penned by Kai Hansen and launch all trademarks that secured his place deep in metal hearts. “The space and aliens are my favorite themes and pretty fascinating. But you could also read the chorus as a description of the band: ‘We’re back and we’re the Masters of Power Metal’ – I’ll leave that up to the listeners,” laughs Hansen.
Masterclass is just as evident in gigantic ballads, and “GIANTS & MONSTERS” serves the first one in this constellation. “INTO THE SUN” is a duet in which Deris and Kiske sweepingly pour their hearts out, carried by masterfully orchestrated string cascades and yearning guitar solos. “Originally the song had different lyrics, but now it’s about reincarnation and that suits the track much better,” reveals Deris. “Michi and I share similar beliefs in that area, and I really wanted us to record the song together. He just sounds great when he sings it”. “SAVIOR OF THE WORLD”, a classic Weikath at his best, could have well been on one of the legendary ‘Keeper’ albums, and the extravagant “UNDER THE MOONLIGHT” also underlines his exceptional songwriting talent.
Consistently topping superlatives and presenting yet another milestone with “GIANTS & MONSTERS” requires the courage to keep reinventing a colossus like HELLOWEEN as well as continuing to challenge seven brimming careers even after four decades. And the instincts of the congenial producers Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward. For example, the fact that Dani Löble recorded all tracks on three different drum sets to individually decide which set delivers the perfect vibe for a song was only imaginable through unrestrained love of experimentation and highest standards. An effort and attention to detail that not everyone is willing to bring to the table. The mix was done at the legendary Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, which have witnessed the works of the greatest names in music – from Iron Maiden to Judas Priest and Def Leppard to Rammstein.
“GIANTS & MONSTERS” will be released on August 29, 2025, as CD Jewelcase, CD Digipak (incl. bonus track), Earbook (incl. bonus CD), 2-LP Gatefold (in various colors) and 2-LP Picture (incl. bonus track), MC and digital.
