Four years after the release of their fantastic self-titled, reunion album, Helloween come back with “Giants & Monsters”, and it’s time for all Helloween fans to enjoy again their favorite band and its new work. After the release of the album’s first two singles, “This is Tokyo” (a superb hard rock song in the very own style of Helloween) and “Universe (Gravity For Hearts)” (a majestic track), Helloween present us a fine collection of amazing power metal songs, which all feature their signature sound. It is obvious that Helloween are in a great mood and “Giants & Monsters” is an excellent, marvellous addition to the long discography of the German icons. The album starts with “Giants on the Run”, an epic song that only Helloween could compose, one of the best moments of the record, one of the best metal tracks of the year. Then we have “Savior of the World”, a typical Helloween song, which incorporates the sound of European power metal. “A Little Is A Little Too Much” is an awesome, hooky tune, which commands the fans to head bang and sing along. “We Can Be Gods” continues the magic of Helloween and “Into The Sun” is a ballad that sends shivers down your spine. “Hand of God” sticks to your brain with its melodic lines and “Under the Moonlight” stands out as a classic Helloween track, which showcases all the fundamental characteristics of the sound of the band. “Majestic”, the final song of “Giants & Monsters”, will take your breath away with its melodramatic beauty, the best way to end a phenomenal album. The new, seventeenth offering of the Pumpkins will surely impress and enchant every melodic metal listener – it has the songs, the riffs, the melodies, the solos, the vibe, the class of Helloween. Unique, brilliant and mindblowing, Helloween are here, ass-kicking and loud playing. The euro power metal giants have done it again. Rejoice!
♦ 9/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
