“Unite! It’s not too late”
Back to 1989 for a song that puts the “power” into power metal. It’s German legends Helloween with a storming version of How Many Tears from their Live In The U.K. album. It’s a full-on assault of pounding vrrrs, grrrs and drrrs. The riffs are Scorpions-on-steroids, late drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg is on ferocious form and when the intro riff returns after a dreamy interlude it manages the impossible feat of being even more gigantic than before.
It’s also a thrill to hear Michael Kiske add his high-flying vocal stamp to a song originally sung by the grittier Kai Hansen (who just plays guitar here). And I believe this is the last recording to feature both Kiske and Hansen until they reunited with the band in 2017. Both are set to appear on the band’s new studio album Helloween, released 18th June. If the album is even half as good as this then I’ll be one happy pumpkin.
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
Never thought these guys would pull off such an amazing reunion but here it comes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me neither. And the United Alive In Madrid album is insanely good. Best live album I’ve heard in ages!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is really saying something. You have heard two or three live albums in your years so you know what you are talking about!
Imagine if more of our favourite bands did reunions like this. You’d have Deep Purple with Blackmore, Morse, Coverdale and Gillan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah exactly. Very cool for a band to leave their egos behind like Helloween have, it’s such a feelgood reunion. Hope it lasts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some of these bands like Maiden have matured just enough to keep it going. Helloween may have as well. (Priest have not.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought the I Want Out Ep from what 1989? maybe?? I liked that Dr Stein tune and than for some reason I never bothered with them after that. I should check out Apple Music and see what they got!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t realize Kiske and Hansen were going to be back. I might have to check it out now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve still never pulled the trigger on any Helloween. Not enough flamenco in their sound for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not even on their album of flamenco re-recordings?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t want to get all Goldilocks on you but that was too much flamenco.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s breakneck speed this one. Relentless. When they first came out I just associated em with speed thrash metal, with better singing. Obviously fast forward and they are seen as The Godfather’s of power metal
LikeLiked by 1 person
Makes sense. I remember reviews at the time focusing on the thrash element, especially with Walls Of Jericho. You can really hear it on this.
The whole power metal idea came much later I think eh? And traced back here. I don’t remember the term being used at the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For me it was circa 93/94 when I first heard the term power metal
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t remember for sure but that sounds about right. Mid-to-late 90s I’d have guessed. Probably around when Hammerfall started and then it was getting used to describe bands like Helloween and Manowar that were always just “metal” to me. Never used to like the term but I kinda get it now in terms of the distinctions… I use it sparingly. If it’s got the Euro, happy, beer drinking thing then yeah. So I get why Helloween fit in the story.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is all the goodness. Or Hellness. Whateverness. I can get with this. Maybe just what I need to get into some Helloween (I keep thinking Hello, Ween… y’know? Not similar, obviously, but makes me smile… what am I talking about here? What the Hell was in my coffee!?).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Was your coffee pumpkin-spiced?
LikeLike
I don’t know a lot about Helloween, and I’m happy you’re excited about the reunion, but I, for one, am most excited to see new HMO content in the Community! Hiya!
LikeLiked by 1 person