Absolutely!! The expectations for this album were extremely high. With this current lineup , I was definitely expecting a phenomenal album. They really did a fantastic job on the music and singing parts with all three lead singers. I love that Michael Kiske got the majority of the singing. He is my all time favorite lead singer ever, but I do love Kai Hansen and Andi Deris as well. In my opinion Kai Hansen is the greatest songwriter Helloween ever had. Kai Hansen wrote Skyfall and in my opinion it is the best song on the new album. It is an instant classic MASTERPIECE!!
Yes, but in the 'Keepers' era, they were an indie band that no one knew about except for those willing to take a chance based on magazine reviews and cool covers (not so much :).
The new Helloween album is incredible. It's their best album since "Keepers of the Seven Keys II" in my opinion. The album could have been a case of too many cooks in the kitchen with three lead singers, but they pulled it off brilliantly. It's definitely one of my favorite Metal albums of 2021 so far. Kiske is such a cool down to earth person as well. Excellent interview!
What an awesome interview. I would actually love to see more Kai on vocals. I absolutely love Kiske and he made my dreams come true by returning to the band, but Kai has his flare and uniqness that adds so much every time I hear him sing. He sounds like the voice of a distant warrior or a mythological God.
What an amazing human being Michael is. Not just an incredibly talented musician, with one of the most beautiful voices in rock and metal. But also an intelligent and well spoken person, with a big inner development and spiritual connection. He's one of a kind for sure!!! Looking forward to his solo record. I would love to hear him singing Jeff Buckley's tunes. It would be mindblowing
Michael Kiske owns one of the most beautiful voices in heavy metal history. But not just that! He has an incredible adaptability to the language of Britpop and Keane-style soft rock songs. I would like to hear him singing quicksand by Tom Chaplin. It would be transcendent.
Michael Kiske in my opinion is the greatest lead singer ever. He is also a very cool humble guy. It is so awesome to listen a brand new Helloween album with him on it. I love the new album big time. The band is on fire, and all three lead singers did a PHENOMENAL job on their parts. Excellent interview Dimitri!!!
very solid album...... it was the first time the band recorded something with this specific line-up, so we can consider this one a "warm-up album" :D I'm sure the next one will be even better
I always loved Michael Kiske. Not only is he a phenomenal singer to this day, but he has such a nice way of him, most sympathatic. I am a guy who always loved Helloween up to old Keeper Records. That was for me perfection in disguise, and I cant even imagine how much these albums influenced all sorts of styles and bands since. Power Metal, or back then when it was more Speed Metal, from Helloween at the time was the golden standarsd. I also always loved Kai Hansen, because he also was such a nice person from what I could see. After he left Helloween, same with Michael Kiske, it wasnt the same anymore. And what I heard since from Helloween from the occasional listen to their following albums with Andy, sorry, but that wasnt my cup of tea anymore. I didnt blamed anyone for that, but it was just me that wasnt into what remained. Of course i followed Kai's stuff with Gamma Ray over the many years, and that was just like one of the things of Helloween (in a way) that was missing with Helloween for so many years, but on his own. Any colloboration with Michael Kiske, with Gamma Ray or him with Avantasia, again that was just again one of these things missing from Helloween, but on its own or with someone else. The idea of how great it could be, with those again with Helloween, was something that was in the back of my head, call it wish, for years. The one thing I do not like with Helloween is Andy Deris, and its not him as a person, because what I saw from videos and clips, he is also a nice guy. Its just for me, his voice isnt what I like so much. Thats all. I didnt like what Helloween sounded like with him, and it also bothers me on the new album. Nothing personal. just his voice isnt my thing. He sure is a very capable singer, but when it came to Helloween, for me the golden standard was and still is Michael Kiske. Cant help it. :) I did follow many interviews over the years about the whole situation, between Michael Kiske and Michael Weikath, and how they had their little fued. I personally know some of these situations myself over the years, and as they also said, at some point you are able to jump over your own shadow and can try to fix a situation that went out of proportions a long time before, and make it all better again. From some of my own experiences it doesnt always work unfortunately, and you hate yourself for it when the realisation comes too late. I am very glad, they had the chance to fix that with Helloween. So, when I first heard "PUMPKINS UNITED", there was that spark in my head, of the Helloween i always wanted back again. I was really hyped. When the first Single came from the new album, Skyfall, the video alone made me really happy. The song was also great, but something bothered me, i didnt know what at the time. Because my enthausiasm of seeing them all together again, was what gave the whole song even more hype. I only realized it after I got the full album, that it was, and that's just something with me, thats always very hard to please. The mix of an album ! I compared it back with the old mix of the Keeper records (the only 2 for me that exist, because whatever Helloween later did with Keeper, it wasnt that anymore for me), and I kinda expected the new album to be more going into that direction. Especially the sound. I heard that Kai was responsible for how the new album is going to sound. Which is something i cant understand, because he usually has the perfect ear for things like that, given Gamma Ray etc. But in this case, the guitars sound a bit wishiwashi, if that phrase make sense. It misses detail for me. And the drums, as great as a drummer there plays, it sounds far too silent. Its not really coming through and for me misses the opportunity to drive the songs the way the drums should do. The bass comes through well, thats for sure. And of course i know, sound is subjective. Anyone likes it different, and thats good. And in this I can only speak for myself, i dont say the album sounds bad or anything in general, its just not what I hoped for. Also style wise, i hoped that because, lets face it, the most successful albums Helloween did, were the two Keeper albums back then, it would go more into that direction. Those albums are still to this day the goldern standard for me. But many of the songs on the new album dont really go into that direction. As someone that also made some music myself, i realize that there is always a difference between what a band wants to play, and what fans might expect. As a musician you want to evolve, as a fan you might not like that so much, because sometimes its one specific combination of songs and sound that made it special for you. So I understand both ways. My personal wish would be to talk with guys like Kai Hansen & Michael Kiske to talk about a lot of those things, just because I really enjoy those two so very much when I see them in interviews and other videos. I also still hope that Michael Kiske will be back as a singer for Avantasia, whenever there is a new album coming or if the schedules allow it, even live. Because as good as Avantasia albums usually are, having Michael sing with them in some songs, its kinda like the cherry on top. :) To finally finish this, boring people with my long ass story here, I do wish any of the Members of Helloween the best and all the success they can get now that they are all back together again. Please dont take it bad, what I said of what I preferred and what wasnt my kinda thing with this band. Everyone thinks different in those cases, and its not personal at all. From what I can see, it looks like all Members of Helloween are very nice people and a blast to be with. But again, Michael Kiske & Kai Hansen are what is for me that band, Helloween. Without them, Helloween was not really interesting. I am sorry if I might said something here that someone else doesnt like to hear. I hope the sound mix on the next album, which I really hope will also come at some point, will be more the way I wished the current one would be. Thanks.
Nice interview, interesting to see that Michael doesn't get mad by being asked similar questions several times and he always answers with the same passion.
I'm not sure that the new album is a true masterpiece, but I think Michael Weikath's songs are truly amazing. He really captured that divine Helloween spirit, but also kept it very fresh. His emotional songwriting mixed with Kiske's high notes was much of the reason for Helloween's greatness in the 80s, and I think we see this greatness in the new album too
This guy is awesome. I've been to shows where a "super-group" is playing a stadium once a week, each member traveling to each show apart from one another, and it just does not work. It takes half the show just for the band to get on the same page. I won't say the band name, but when the bass player leans over & talks to the drummer, then the guitar player (who no longer speaks to the bass player) walks over & gets information from the drummer who's sort of acting as 'mediator', then 'hustles' out of sight, coming back with the right guitar and frantically (almost) starts stepping on pedals, looking around & smiling, grinning, to make it all seem 'routine', only to forget to go into his solo on time... what a mess. Michael is being honest & forthright here. Leave the ego in the '80s!
This is such a strong album. There are a COUPLE of tracks I’m not SUPER into, but I LIKE all of them. My favorite tracks are Out for the Glory, Fear of the Fallen, Best Time, Angels, and Skyfall.
I always accepted it & let the songs grow thru the years...just like Pink Bubbles, classic today due to the melodies & how different they both are...same w/RUSH..their synth era has the songs that are catchy...then they went back to their roots..Kiske is very honest, thanks MV
Bloody excellent! I've kind of "built" an archive out of an external hard drive to preserve stuff like this. Might I have permission to add this to said archive? (No dishonest bullsh**, I'm protective as F about this thing)
Why didn't kiske write on the album it could have be so much more. I mean it's better than any radio shit but still disappointing vs their previous stuff.
'When Andi joined the band it was just what the band needed' - what a mature statement from Kiske, that shows why the reunion's working so great
By the way the record is blowing the charts like never before. Even better than the Keepers era. What an epic record.
Absolutely!! The expectations for this album were extremely high. With this current lineup , I was definitely expecting a phenomenal album. They really did a fantastic job on the music and singing parts with all three lead singers. I love that Michael Kiske got the majority of the singing. He is my all time favorite lead singer ever, but I do love Kai Hansen and Andi Deris as well. In my opinion Kai Hansen is the greatest songwriter Helloween ever had. Kai Hansen wrote Skyfall and in my opinion it is the best song on the new album. It is an instant classic MASTERPIECE!!
Yes, but in the 'Keepers' era, they were an indie band that no one knew about except for those willing to take a chance based on magazine reviews and cool covers (not so much :).
The new Helloween album is incredible. It's their best album since "Keepers of the Seven Keys II" in my opinion. The album could have been a case of too many cooks in the kitchen with three lead singers, but they pulled it off brilliantly. It's definitely one of my favorite Metal albums of 2021 so far. Kiske is such a cool down to earth person as well. Excellent interview!
What an awesome interview. I would actually love to see more Kai on vocals. I absolutely love Kiske and he made my dreams come true by returning to the band, but Kai has his flare and uniqness that adds so much every time I hear him sing. He sounds like the voice of a distant warrior or a mythological God.
Helloween looks and sounds like a loving dysfunctional family! A fan since 88.
What an amazing human being Michael is. Not just an incredibly talented musician, with one of the most beautiful voices in rock and metal. But also an intelligent and well spoken person, with a big inner development and spiritual connection.
He's one of a kind for sure!!!
Looking forward to his solo record. I would love to hear him singing Jeff Buckley's tunes. It would be mindblowing
Michael Kiske owns one of the most beautiful voices in heavy metal history. But not just that! He has an incredible adaptability to the language of Britpop and Keane-style soft rock songs.
I would like to hear him singing quicksand by Tom Chaplin. It would be transcendent.
Very nice human,, what a voice🎸🎸👍🎸🎸👍🎸🎸👍👍🎸👍👍🎸👍
Michael Kiske in my opinion is the greatest lead singer ever. He is also a very cool humble guy. It is so awesome to listen a brand new Helloween album with him on it. I love the new album big time. The band is on fire, and all three lead singers did a PHENOMENAL job on their parts. Excellent interview Dimitri!!!
very solid album...... it was the first time the band recorded something with this specific line-up, so we can consider this one a "warm-up album" :D I'm sure the next one will be even better
I always loved Michael Kiske. Not only is he a phenomenal singer to this day, but he has such a nice way of him, most sympathatic. I am a guy who always loved Helloween up to old Keeper Records. That was for me perfection in disguise, and I cant even imagine how much these albums influenced all sorts of styles and bands since. Power Metal, or back then when it was more Speed Metal, from Helloween at the time was the golden standarsd. I also always loved Kai Hansen, because he also was such a nice person from what I could see. After he left Helloween, same with Michael Kiske, it wasnt the same anymore. And what I heard since from Helloween from the occasional listen to their following albums with Andy, sorry, but that wasnt my cup of tea anymore. I didnt blamed anyone for that, but it was just me that wasnt into what remained. Of course i followed Kai's stuff with Gamma Ray over the many years, and that was just like one of the things of Helloween (in a way) that was missing with Helloween for so many years, but on his own. Any colloboration with Michael Kiske, with Gamma Ray or him with Avantasia, again that was just again one of these things missing from Helloween, but on its own or with someone else. The idea of how great it could be, with those again with Helloween, was something that was in the back of my head, call it wish, for years.
The one thing I do not like with Helloween is Andy Deris, and its not him as a person, because what I saw from videos and clips, he is also a nice guy. Its just for me, his voice isnt what I like so much. Thats all. I didnt like what Helloween sounded like with him, and it also bothers me on the new album. Nothing personal. just his voice isnt my thing. He sure is a very capable singer, but when it came to Helloween, for me the golden standard was and still is Michael Kiske. Cant help it. :)
I did follow many interviews over the years about the whole situation, between Michael Kiske and Michael Weikath, and how they had their little fued. I personally know some of these situations myself over the years, and as they also said, at some point you are able to jump over your own shadow and can try to fix a situation that went out of proportions a long time before, and make it all better again. From some of my own experiences it doesnt always work unfortunately, and you hate yourself for it when the realisation comes too late. I am very glad, they had the chance to fix that with Helloween.
So, when I first heard "PUMPKINS UNITED", there was that spark in my head, of the Helloween i always wanted back again. I was really hyped. When the first Single came from the new album, Skyfall, the video alone made me really happy. The song was also great, but something bothered me, i didnt know what at the time. Because my enthausiasm of seeing them all together again, was what gave the whole song even more hype. I only realized it after I got the full album, that it was, and that's just something with me, thats always very hard to please. The mix of an album ! I compared it back with the old mix of the Keeper records (the only 2 for me that exist, because whatever Helloween later did with Keeper, it wasnt that anymore for me), and I kinda expected the new album to be more going into that direction. Especially the sound. I heard that Kai was responsible for how the new album is going to sound. Which is something i cant understand, because he usually has the perfect ear for things like that, given Gamma Ray etc.
But in this case, the guitars sound a bit wishiwashi, if that phrase make sense. It misses detail for me. And the drums, as great as a drummer there plays, it sounds far too silent. Its not really coming through and for me misses the opportunity to drive the songs the way the drums should do. The bass comes through well, thats for sure. And of course i know, sound is subjective. Anyone likes it different, and thats good. And in this I can only speak for myself, i dont say the album sounds bad or anything in general, its just not what I hoped for.
Also style wise, i hoped that because, lets face it, the most successful albums Helloween did, were the two Keeper albums back then, it would go more into that direction. Those albums are still to this day the goldern standard for me. But many of the songs on the new album dont really go into that direction. As someone that also made some music myself, i realize that there is always a difference between what a band wants to play, and what fans might expect. As a musician you want to evolve, as a fan you might not like that so much, because sometimes its one specific combination of songs and sound that made it special for you. So I understand both ways.
My personal wish would be to talk with guys like Kai Hansen & Michael Kiske to talk about a lot of those things, just because I really enjoy those two so very much when I see them in interviews and other videos. I also still hope that Michael Kiske will be back as a singer for Avantasia, whenever there is a new album coming or if the schedules allow it, even live. Because as good as Avantasia albums usually are, having Michael sing with them in some songs, its kinda like the cherry on top. :)
To finally finish this, boring people with my long ass story here, I do wish any of the Members of Helloween the best and all the success they can get now that they are all back together again. Please dont take it bad, what I said of what I preferred and what wasnt my kinda thing with this band. Everyone thinks different in those cases, and its not personal at all. From what I can see, it looks like all Members of Helloween are very nice people and a blast to be with.
But again, Michael Kiske & Kai Hansen are what is for me that band, Helloween. Without them, Helloween was not really interesting. I am sorry if I might said something here that someone else doesnt like to hear. I hope the sound mix on the next album, which I really hope will also come at some point, will be more the way I wished the current one would be. Thanks.
That was not boring at all to read... I guess that many old fans of Helloween that jump off in 1994 see it in similar way...
Nice interview, interesting to see that Michael doesn't get mad by being asked similar questions several times and he always answers with the same passion.
He seems to genuinely enjoy recounting these stories.
Michael Kiske is fantastic on every level. Such a joy to hear him sing in Helloween but just as enjoyable to hear his philosophy on things.
I'm not sure that the new album is a true masterpiece, but I think Michael Weikath's songs are truly amazing. He really captured that divine Helloween spirit, but also kept it very fresh. His emotional songwriting mixed with Kiske's high notes was much of the reason for Helloween's greatness in the 80s, and I think we see this greatness in the new album too
Love Kiske love helloween ,Legend ! Greetings from Greece ,Prost!
Great interview, Gents and Kiske is as great a person as he is a vocalist.
I SO WISH more American band members operate as workers like Helloween! Basically.
This guy is awesome. I've been to shows where a "super-group" is playing a stadium once a week, each member traveling to each show apart from one another, and it just does not work. It takes half the show just for the band to get on the same page. I won't say the band name, but when the bass player leans over & talks to the drummer, then the guitar player (who no longer speaks to the bass player) walks over & gets information from the drummer who's sort of acting as 'mediator', then 'hustles' out of sight, coming back with the right guitar and frantically (almost) starts stepping on pedals, looking around & smiling, grinning, to make it all seem 'routine', only to forget to go into his solo on time... what a mess. Michael is being honest & forthright here. Leave the ego in the '80s!
This is such a strong album. There are a COUPLE of tracks I’m not SUPER into, but I LIKE all of them. My favorite tracks are Out for the Glory, Fear of the Fallen, Best Time, Angels, and Skyfall.
What a great interview and thank you Michael for sharing the Helloween stories and thank you The Metal Voive for keeping the Metal Great.
The greatest metal singer ever!
Strong album indeed. Michael Kiske is a legend!
Michael Kiske = Talented brilliance!
Thanks for the interview! MK and Helloween rule 💯🤩
Fantastic interview just got the new CD. Can't wait to hear it!!!
Hi
Great interview. Most enjoyable to listen to the music and any of the members of Helloween.
Thanks for that great Interview 😎👍
Great interview! 🤟🔥🎸
Kiske is great.
It’s mixing was done in Joey Demaio’s (Manowar) studio.
fantastic interview
OMG I didn’t know that you were wearing an Avantasia t shirt
Really cool interview w/ Michael Kiske. 🤘🏼🔥
What a great interview
Well done as usual!
I love Helloween ❤️
8:18 I was laughing my fucking ass off!
I’m the only one that loves Chameleon
No
Not the only one :)
Nope
I always accepted it & let the songs grow thru the years...just like Pink Bubbles, classic today due to the melodies & how different they both are...same w/RUSH..their synth era has the songs that are catchy...then they went back to their roots..Kiske is very honest, thanks MV
No I love it too giants, music, step out of the he’ll great songs - windmill and in the night are the weakest
He’s so underrated
Bloody excellent! I've kind of "built" an archive out of an external hard drive to preserve stuff like this. Might I have permission to add this to said archive? (No dishonest bullsh**, I'm protective as F about this thing)
I would be interested to know if he can live from music alone
He loves Sammy Hagar? Who else wants to hear kiske cover dreams??? Power metal style.
Yep
MICHI!!!!
Nový album Hell🎃weeN je majstrovské dielo, veľká škoda že sa toho nedožil Ingo :(
Why didn't kiske write on the album it could have be so much more. I mean it's better than any radio shit but still disappointing vs their previous stuff.