| Today is the day: HELLOWEEN release the first single “Skyfall” along with an amazing video clip! Written by Kai Hansen, “Skyfall” is a storming, more than 7-minute ride into the HELLOWEEN universe (and beyond!) The epic track describes an alien landing on earth and a dramatic chase while Michael Kiske, Andi Deris, and Kai Hansen duel each other in a breathtaking manner and create a vocal broadband adventure. Produced by Martin Häusler, it is the most elaborate video clip in the history of the band, shown with 3-D animation and having a cinematic look, this video is a real high-end experience. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLV530n3kMw “Skyfall” will be available on CD, digitally, and in two different vinyl versions. Single 1: Vinyl, CD, digital: ‘Skyfall’ (single edit) + ‘Skyfall’ (exclusive alternative vocals mix). Both are exclusive single versions and will not be on the album. Around 20 minutes of playing time. Single 2: Vinyl only ‘Skyfall’ (single edit) + “Indestructible” (exclusive album track). This is a strictly limited version of the new single with one exclusive album track. Pre-order the singles here in the format of your choice: http://nblast.de/Helloween-Skyfall Watch the teaser trailer here: https://youtu.be/O_ZbYRkYPLs The pre-order for the self-titled HELLOWEEN record, out on June 18th via Nuclear Blast Tonträger Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH, also kicked off. The album will be available as 2CD – Digibook, 1CD – Jewelcase, 3LP – Hologram-Vinyl in Trifold, 2LP – Vinyl in Gatefold (picture vinyl + div. colors), 2LP/2CD – Earbook Edition, 2LP/2CD – Deluxe Boxset (black vinyl and splatter vinyl), Cassette, Digital Pre-order here: https://nblast.de/HELLOWEEN-Helloween Pre-save: http://nblast.de/HelloweenPreSave TRACKLISTING HELLOWEEN 01 – Out For The Glory 02 – Fear Of The Fallen 03 – Best Time 04 – Mass Pollution 05 – Angels 06 – Rise Without Chains 07 – Indestructible 08 – Robot King 09 – Cyanide 10 – Down In The Dumps 11 – Orbit 12 – Skyfall Bonustracks Mediabook & Vinyl: 01 – Golden Times 02 – Save My Hide Bonustracks Earbook 01 – Golden Times 02 – Save My Hide 03 – Pumpkins United |
| Pre-order Helloween’s self-titled album, here: https://nblast.de/HELLOWEEN-Helloween |
| »Please stick together!« This was the ardent wish of thousands of fans calling out to Andi Deris, Michael Kiske, Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen, Markus Grosskopf, Sascha Gerstner, and Dani Löble during the PUMPKINS UNITED WORLD TOUR – and their dream has come true! With the upcoming album, simply titled HELLOWEEN, the band opens a new chapter after 35 years of a glorious career. The future of one of the most influential German metal bands from now on will feature three singers. Originally planned for the live performances only, it was the birth of a unique seven-piece metal alliance. Dani Löble: ”This record is the coronation of the PUMPKINS UNITED journey! Still today I am fascinated by the different character traits and facets of the HELLOWEEN history. As an example, I’d like to point out the legendary voices of Michi, Andi, and Kai. To enjoy them now together on one record, under one flag is the ultimate HELLOWEEN experience”. It is therefore not surprising that the first single SKYFALL, a 12-minute epos written by Kai Hansen, has the long yearned “Keeper-vibe” – even if the long-player can by no means be limited to it. SKYFALL implies the musical arch which will be loved by fans of every era. This first album of a new age is taking the fans from unforgettable memories of the fifteen studio records and four live CDs to new adventures. ”FEAR OF THE FALLEN” – the second single is a fast-paced, melodic track done the way only Deris can do it. ”I had so much fun not only writing a song for my voice but also for one of the greatest singers out there. I always have an extremely broad smile on my face when I hear Michi singing my melodies“, says Deris and Kiske adds: ”The whole process, including the spirit, was just ideal. If I had the feeling that one of the parts would not be really fitting, I asked Andi if he would sing it and vice versa. There was no competition whatsoever – what counted was what is best for the respective song. I am thankful to be (again) a part of this crazy family. I love them all”. Along with massive album tracks such as HELLOWEEN classic and album opener “OUT FOR THE GLORY“, the epic “DOWN IN THE DUMPS”, both written by Weikath, the power metal shouter “MASS POLLUTION“ by Deris and Grosskopf’s scuff proof rocker“INDESTRUCTIBLE“ (which could be an analogy towards the unbreakable career of the band), the album release is flanked by the ‘party-track‘ of the record, “BEST TIME“. Lyrically the song by Sascha Gerstner reminds you of the good old days, musically it´s convincing with confident HELLOWEEN style guitar harmonies and a chorus that stays in your long-term memory after hearing it for the first time. With “ANGELS“, a no less powerful song of his comes into view, bursting with joy in playing: “Synergy, energy & creativity! These were the main elements on this record. We used old school recording engineering from the ’80s merged with the current HELLOWEEN-vibe and here we are: more than 35 years of heavy metal experience on one record!“ adds Gerstner. Besides the line-up and the unique interaction of world-class front men – this is what makes the album outstanding: it is a precise time journey through all phases of the band’s history, going back to the roots but at the same time at the speed of light towards the future. “HELLOWEEN“ offers a complete metal universe within 12 songs. The base of this milestone album was already erected in the studio: using the original drum kit of Ingo Schwichtenberg, the recording was done with the same modulators at the Hamburg HOME studios where back then ”Master Of The Rings“, ”The Time Of The Oath“ and ”Better Than Raw“ were recorded. Completely analog and under the eyes of long-term producer Charlie Bauerfeind and co-producer Dennis Ward, the UNITED impact traveled to New York and got the final mix in the Valhalla Studios of Ronald Prent (Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Rammstein). ”After 30 years with the different line-ups of the band I really thought I was well prepared for another extreme challenge, but I was wrong! My expectations were highly exceeded in every way with this super-sized creativity package” tells us Bauerfeind. Dennis Ward adds: ”HELLOWEEN is an institution with only one goal: making music. Not only for themselves, but for the fans as well. When we started mixing we realized that we had a record that covers the whole spectrum of the band and every one of us gave 110% for it. It was an honor to finally work with Charlie and I am grateful to the band that I became a part of their history!” Besides all musical competence, it is also the special enthusiasm that defines HELLOWEEN. Michael Weikath characterizes in his own way: ”It is the incomprehensible encounter of seven musicians who are working as friends and even family and created something that no one would have thought it could be possible. It is like waking from a sleep but still being in an incredible dream“. Returnee Kai Hansen reflects: ”Being in the studio with my old companions after 30 years was very emotional for me. But at the same time, it was a completely different experience with the ‘new‘ boys. The collaboration of different songwriters and strong characters made the album very special: a unique mix with reminiscences from all chapters of the band’s history. HELLOWEEN is a big part of my life and I am looking forward to celebrating the songs live for and with our fans“! From another perspective, Markus Grosskopf agrees: ”For me, being one of the last ‘survivors’ who played every note from the beginning, it was a fantastic experience and a very emotional process. I think everyone can hear it on this album. I love it“. When it came to capturing the larger-than-life emotions in the artwork, it quickly became clear that it was only possible as a handmade painting on which the important topics of the band’s history are processed. The work of Berlin-based artist Eliran Kantor has achieved this and visually underscores the fact that the band cherishes all parts of their history. With all this brand new material an album has been created, an album that is set apart from the digital mainstream and showing the essence of the band was never more solid. This is the beginning of something big – here comes HELLOWEEN! |
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| What is worth waiting for: UNITED FORCES TOUR 2022It was already foreseeable: Due to the pandemic, the originally April/May scheduled Halloween European tour has to be postponed again. However, this is no reason to hang your head, even more so now: it is getting even more powerful in 2022! We all have to stick together to stand and endure this agonizing live music gap and because extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary measures, HELLOWEEN invited their friends from HAMMERFALL to join them on their European tour in order to create a tremendous metal package together. The UNITED FORCES TOUR 2022 called alliance is not only the full HELLOWEEN experience, on top, but the fans will also enjoy fine Swedish steel out of the HAMMERFALL forge. Both bands will have brand-new albums in their luggage and the European fans will be able to listen to the new songs live for the very first time on the UNITED FORCES TOUR 2022. The long–awaited end of the dry spell is in sight – coming with a double dose in March, April, and May 2022 as we have to catch up two years ofMETALPARTY to get cured of a lot of withdrawal symptoms! Andi Deris: “We are ‘hammered’ to have our friends from HAMMERFALL with us on tour! Back in 2002, the band produced their album “Crimson Thunder” in my studio in Tenerife and we had a lot of fun back then.” This mega-package is delivering the appropriate metal spectacle to enter the stage with full power! Oscar Dronjak can hardly wait: “We are so ridiculously excited about this! Not only do we get to go out on tour again after two looooooooong years of stage draught, but we get to do it with a band that we love and was a great inspiration to us informing HAMMERFALL in the first place. The UNITED FORCES TOUR will be something truly special, you can count on that! “ For the dry run up front, HELLOWEEN is releasing their fantastic new album, and with the unification of their three vocalists Kiske, Deris & Hansen the album reminiscences all eras of the band’s history. This already is a sensation in itself, but also HAMMERFALL is ready to release a brand-new record before the tour starts. A great forerunner to get warmed up for a double load of live power with the ultimate UNITED FORCES TOUR 2022. And whoever misses the just-announced dates was probably never infected by the metal virus … HELLOWEEN & HAMMERFALL UNITED FORCES TOUR 2022 presented by Metal Hammer, Rockantenne, Piranha, Start, Rocks & Rock It 25-Mar-2022 NOR Oslo – Sentrum Scene 26-Mar-2022 SWE Gothenburg – Partille Arena 28-Mar-2022 FIN Helsinki – Black Box 29-Mar-2022 EST Tallinn – Noblessneri Valukoda 01-Apr-2022 GER Bamberg – Brose Arena 02-Apr-2022 GER Hamburg – Sporthalle 03-Apr-2022 GER Berlin – Verti Music Hall 04-Apr-2022 GER Regensburg – Donau Arena 08-Apr-2022 ES Madrid – Wizink Center 09-Apr-2022 ES Barcelona – St. Jordi Club 11-Apr-2022 IT Milan – Lorenzini District 12-Apr-2022 GER Kempten – bigBOX 13-Apr-2022 CH Zürich – Samsung Hall 15-Apr-2022 LUX Luxemburg – Rockhal 16-Apr-2022 NL Tilbourg – 013 18-Apr-2022 PL Katovice – MCK 20-Apr-2022 BG Sofia – Arena Armeec 22-Apr-2022 AT Vienna – Gasometer 23-Apr-2022 CZ Prag -O2 24-Apr-2022 SK Zvolen – Ice Stadium 26-Apr-2022 HU Budapest – Papp Laszlo Sportarena 29-Apr-2022 GER Bochum – Ruhrcongress 30-Apr-2022 GER Stuttgart – Schleyerhalle 01-May-2022 GER Frankfurt – Jahrhunderthalle 04-May-2022 UK Manchester – Manchester Academy 05-May-2022 UK London – Brixton Academy 19-May-2022 RU St. Petersburg – A2* 21-May-2022 RU Moscow – Adrenaline-Stadium* 23-May-2022 FR Lyon – Transbordeur* 25-May-2022 FR Paris – Olympia* * without HAMMERFALL Tickets: https://bit.ly/2E1KcHE Helloween tickets that have already been purchased remain valid |
