Helloween
Band members have “incredible” respect for one another
Helloween can be heard not only live, but also seven on their album of the same name (from left behind: Michael Kiske, Dani Löble, Sascha Gerstner, Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf; from left in front: Kai Hansen, Andi Deris).
© © Martin Häusler
Helloween are releasing a new album after six years. The disputes of the past are history in the metal band.
The metal band Helloween is back with new music: six years after their last album “My God-Given Right”, they are releasing their longplayer of the same name “Helloween” on June 18th. The specialty: The cult band is not represented by five as before, but by seven. In addition to Andi Deris (56), Michael Weikath (58), Markus Grosskopf (55), Sascha Gerstner (44) and Dani Löble (48), the former singers Michael Kiske (53) and Kai Hansen (58) are back in the band encountered.
The metal band also implemented the live performance of their tour “Pumpkins United” for the studio. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, guitarist Sascha Gerstner and singer Andi Deris reveal why the band disputes are history and where they have their craziest fans.
Sascha Gerstner: We had a new album on the schedule anyway and so we were busy. In principle, it only influenced the mixing session for us and we had to push a few things. But we are like everyone else: We could no longer play live and go on tour. That’s the dramatic part.
Andi Deris: We don’t just miss the big festivals. We miss being unable to play in front of and for our fans and thus not being close to our fans.
Gerstner: We had a working title, but somehow it didn’t feel right and then the idea came up to simply name the album “Helloween”. It also heralds a new era with the current line-up and it feels complete.
Deris: We already “tried it out” on the “Pumpkins United” tour for 14 months and it was a complete success for all old and newer fans worldwide. What can be nicer than doing justice to every fan? We also have three guitarists. There is a lot going on on stage and there is a lot of listening. It worked out great and at the end of the tour it was clear to us: We want, should and have to continue like this, but under the banner of “Helloween”.
Gerstner: Everyone sees it differently. I could imagine that in our incredible solar system with eight planets and an average distance from Earth of 150 million kilometers there is something else.
Deris: Helloween still makes 80 percent of its music sales from physical sound carriers. Our fans want to look at the booklet and the cover properly and love the feel that is associated with a physical product. For us the question does not arise.
Deris: Finally concerts and tours again!
Deris: Everyone is more mature and grown up, the time of the youngsters who always bark or have to prove themselves is over. We all have an incredible respect for one another – as people and musicians. That is what constitutes the harmony that prevails with us. Nobody has to play the rampage, everyone takes on their part and is in the foreground when the music, the stage and the song want it.
Gerstner: I would say that the South Americans are totally crazy, they have fire in their blood and the concerts are always like a huge folk festival.
Deris: It was a different time back then. Metal was still in its infancy, and nowadays it docks with every genre of music. There are many highlights in its long history – the “Pumpkins United” tour and the release of the new album with seven members is one of them. The setbacks are well known and no longer need to be discussed.
Gerstner: The interaction with the fans and the fun we’ll have with Hammerfall.
Deris: Of course, stay healthy and go on tour again and play the new album in front of many fans!