Helloween – Giants and Monsters

Giants on the Run; Saviour of the World; A Little is a Little Too much; We Can Be Gods; Into the Sun; This is Tokyo; Universe (Gravity for Hearts); Hand of God; Under the Moonlight; Majestic

(Reigning Phoenix)

Returning with their seventeenth studio album, German hard rock acts Helloween prove that melodic heavy metal is still alive and kicking with an album that sits alongside their best work. In the past the band has been classed as a power metal act; here the emphasis is on direction and melody without a whisper of any sprawling and epic fantasies.

The return to form is best exemplified on opening track Giants in the Run, a track which sees singer Michael Kiske and guitarist Kai Hansen coming together on a song that soars like an eagle that grips you with its claws and refuses to let go on this semi-operatic masterpiece. The pounding drums give each song on the album a solid grounding; apparently drummer Dani Loble recorded all tracks using three different drum kits to perfect the sound on each song.

Saviour of the World follows with one of the best tracks on the album with a fast and energetic vibe. We Can Be Gods continues with the excellent craftsmanship on display here; inspired by the gods of metal, Helloween, unlike their name, make music that sounds heavenly, as all three vocalists in the band and the guitarists come together on a track that proves that the band are still a powerful force in the world of heavy metal.

This is Tokyo is probably the most commercial cut on the album, while Into the Sun slows down the tempo with a ballad that will provide the band a breather during their forthcoming European tour performances.

The overall sound is of a band that sounds refreshed, reinvigorated and resplendent that will please their fans and at the same time sounds like a band who are still enjoying making music.