Web: helloween.org
Contact: curtis@csquared.info
Players: Michael Kiske, vocals; Andi Deris, vocals; Kai Hansen, guitars, vocals; Michael Weikath, guitars; Sascha Gerstner, guitars; Markus Grosskopf, bass; Dani Löble, drums
The story of German power-metal titans Helloween is an undeniably thrilling one. Having formed in ’84, the 1985 debut album Walls of Jericho saw them fronted by guitarist Kai Hansen. By the second album, 1987’s Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I, Michael Kiske had been hired as lead vocalist, with Hansen sticking to guitar and backing vocals. It remained that way until 1994’s Master of the Rings, for which Kiske was out and former Pink Cream 69 man Andi Deris was the new singer. Somewhere in-between, Hansen had left to form Gama Ray.
Here’s what’s great about Helloween in 2026, as they tour a 40th anniversary show: Hansen and Kiske are back in the ranks, and Deris wasn’t let go. So effectively, Helloween has three singers who rotate in and out of lead duties. A lot of the time, Kiske and Deris sing together, something that shouldn’t work but really does. Every other band on the planet should take note—by putting their individual egos to the side, the band and its fans benefit massively. This power-metal band got a ton more powerful.
That Teutonic power boost can be heard immediately when Helloween opened with “March of Time” from their masterpiece Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II album. Right from the off, Kiske and Deris were facing off like pre-fight wrestlers. But rather than throwing insults at each other, the two men were encouraging the very best from the singer stood opposite. It was frankly inspiring.
2021’s self-titled 16th album was the first to feature all three of Kiske, Deris and Hansen, followed by last year’s Giants & Monsters. In Inglewood, we got four from the latter, including a huge “A Little Is a Little Too Much.” Naturally, there were a bunch of songs from the two Keeper of the Seven Keys albums, including an excellent “Future Word” and a spooky “Halloween” from Part I.
The two songs from the debut—“Ride the Sky” and “Heavy Metal (Is the Law)”—were fun, and it was great to hear Hansen take the lead even if his voice doesn’t have the power of the other two guys. More importantly, Hansen’s an incredible guitarist and Helloween has been missing his licks.
The encores were immense. “Dr. Stein,” “Eagle Fly Free," and a snippet of “Keeper of the Seven Keys,” from Part II, plus the Deris-fronted underrated anthem “Power” from The Time of the Oath. By the end, the amped-up metal crowd poured out into Inglewood feeling like Bonafide warriors.
