Year : 2024 (Digital Edition)
Style : Melodic Power Metal
Country : Germany
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 282 mb
Bio:
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in 1984 in Hamburg, Northern Germany. The band is a pioneering force in the power metal subgenres and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I and Part II, are considered masterpieces of the genre. Twelve musicians have been a part of the band's line-up in its history, which has consisted of singer Andi Deris, guitarists Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner, bass guitarist Markus Grosskopf, and drummer Daniel Löble since 2005.Helloween was formed in 1984 by members of bands Iron Fist, Gentry, and Powerfool. Its first line-up consisted of Weikath, Grosskopf, singer and guitarist Kai Hansen and drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg. After the release of a self-titled EP and a first album in 1985, it expanded into a quintet when singer Michael Kiske joined, with Hansen only acting as guitarist. Under this line-up, they released the Keeper of the Seven Keys albums (1987 and 1988), which established Helloween as a notable heavy metal band and led to the creation of the power metal subgenre. However, Hansen left the band quickly after the release of Part II and was replaced by Roland Grapow. He then created the band Gamma Ray.Helloween's first two albums without Hansen, Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991) and Chameleon (1993), were commercial and critical failures,which created tensions between band members and led to the firing of Schwichtenberg and the departure of Kiske. They were replaced by Uli Kusch and Andi Deris respectively. The albums released under this line-up, consisting of Master of the Rings (1994), The Time of the Oath (1996), Better Than Raw (1998) and The Dark Ride (2000), received a warm reception from both fans and critics, gradually establishing Helloween as a successful band again.However, tensions following the release of The Dark Ride led to the dismissals of both Grapow and Kusch, who then went on to found Masterplan together. Grapow was replaced by Gerstner, but the attempts to find a new drummer were chaotic and no band member was credited for drums on the album Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003). The band finally found a stable drummer in the person of Löble in 2005. Under this new and current line-up, the longest in its history, the band has released four successful studio albums: Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy (2005), Gambling with the Devil (2007), 7 Sinners (2010), and Straight Out of Hell (2013), with all members except Löble contributing to songwriting.Since its creation, Helloween has released fourteen studio albums, three live albums, three EPs, and twenty-seven singles, and has sold more than five million records worldwide.
Album:
Get ready to dive headfirst into the electrifying world of HELLOWEEN with their new live album ”Live At Budokan”, a release that immortalizes their iconic performance at Tokyo’s legendary Nippon Budokan, dropping on December 13, 2024.”Live At Budokan” celebrates the grand finale of HELLOWEEN‘s epic world tour from 2022 to 2023. Spanning over 30 countries on three continents, the tour was nothing short of a triumph, drawing massive crowds and showcasing the band’s undying appeal, the sold-out concert in Tokyo is the crowning glory of the cycle.Choosing the Nippon Budokan for this live recording was no coincidence. A venue rich in musical history, it has hosted countless legendary concerts and is an accolade for every music group that has played there.HELLOWEEN are the first German band ever to record a live album in the Nippon Budokan, and for the members, it was a dream come true.Lead vocalist Michael Kiske described the show as “surreal, with the electrifying fan energy creating a magical atmosphere.” Bassist Markus Grosskopf spoke of the venue’s profound personal and historical significance, expressing how humbling and inspiring it was to perform in a place that shaped their own musical journeys.Known for their explosive stage presence and high-voltage performances, HELLOWEEN‘s shows are fueled by the unique chemistry among the band members.Triple lead-guitar attacks from Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen, and Sascha Gerstner alternate with goosebump-inducing duets from vocalists Michael Kiske and Andi Deris, occasionally supported by Kai Hansen, the band’s original singer and third voice. He also takes the spectators on a journey back in time with a medley from the band’s early days, returning to the origins of their sound – HELLOWEEN, the godfathers of melodic speed metal.The setlist of this live album is a treasure trove of surprises, contains the entire 2-hour+ show and offers a fresh experience compared to previous releases like United Alive [2019]. This thoughtful song selection honors both the die-hard fans craving something new and the band’s rich musical legacy, showcasing their evolution and expansive repertoire.This live album is more than just a concert recording; it’s a celebration of HELLOWEEN‘s enduring impact on the metal scene.
Line-Up:
Michael Kiske - Vocals (Kiske / Somerville, Place Vendome, Unisonic, Michael Kiske, ex-Avantasia (live), ex-Ill Prophecy, ex-SupaRed)
Andi Deris - Vocals (Andi Deris and the Bad Bankers, ex-Pink Cream 69, ex-Kymera, ex-Dragon, ex-Nameless, ex-Paranoid)
Markus Grosskopf - Bass (ex-Shock Machine, ex-Weinhold, ex-Bassinvaders, Kickhunter, ex-Avantasia, ex-Trick or Treat (live), ex-Edguy (live), ex-Roland Grapow, ex-Blast Furnace, ex-Gentry, ex-Iron Fist, ex-Second Hell)
Michael Weikath - Guitars (ex-Blast Furnace, ex-Iron Fist, ex-Powerfool)
Kai Hansen - Guitars, Vocals (Gamma Ray, Hansen & Friends, Unisonic, ex-Iron Savior, ex-Avantasia (live), ex-Ancient Call, ex-Gentry, ex-Iron Fist, ex-Powerfool, ex-Second Hell)
Sascha Gerstner - Guitars (Palast, ex-Freedom Call, ex-Lanzer (live))
Dani Loble - Drums (ex-Glenmore, ex-Hollenhunde, Gotthard (live), ex-Krokus (live), ex-Rawhead Rexx, ex-Blaze (live), ex-Element 58)
Tracklist:
CD1:
01. Orbit
02. Skyfall
03. Eagle Fly Free
04. Mass Pollution
05. Future World
06. Power
07. Save Us
08. Kai's Medley: Walls Of Jericho / Metal Invaders / Victim Of Fate / Gorgar / Ride The Sky / Heavy Metal (Is The Law)
09. Forever And One (Neverland)
CD2:
01. Best Time
02. Dr. Stein
03. How Many Tears
04. Perfect Gentleman
05. Keeper Of The Seven Keys
06. I Want Out
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