(Reigning Phoenix Music)
Second album with the pumpkins reunited, guitarist Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske again since 2016, recapturing the facility steel magic with fellow unique longstanding members Marcus Grosskopf and Michael Weikath. Singer Andi Deris introduced the pumpkins again to life in 1994 for Grasp Of The Rings, guitarist Sascha Gerstner on board since 2002, and drummer Daniel Loble 2005 to the current.
6 minute up-tempo opener “Giants On The Run” sees Deris taking the helm, melodic verses and refrain acquainted to the albums Playing With The Satan and Straight Out Of Hell. Splitting his time with Hansen who’s a part of an epic second, additionally becoming for Gamma Ray with these backing vocals. Even quicker “Savior Of The World”, a Weikath music (additionally “Beneath The Moonlight”), geared for Kiske a type of tried-and-true Euro energy steel deliveries.
I knew “A Little Is A Little Too A lot” was a Deris music, at all times favored lots of his songs, and this one is nice, catchy, to the purpose, with radio pleasant hook and accenting keys. Kiske additionally has his second too. First single/video “This Is Tokyo” one other Deris tune. Being a longtime fan of Helloween over time I’ve gained some instinct and an ear for who wrote what, I knew “We Can Be Gods” was a Hansen music simply from that opening riff, the splashes of keys plus the galloping tempo. Hansen, Deris and Kiske share the elements with singalong backing vocals.
Album nearer “Majestic” (satirically?, additionally a Gamma Ray album title) second Kai music, at 8 minutes Hansen a grasp of composing with hearth, melody and dynamics throughout the music for max energy steel perfection. “Into The Solar” a ballad duet between Deris and Kiske breaks up the album with their voices complimenting one another properly. “Hand Of God” riffing, association with refrain extra like Deris publish 2000’s Helloween albums.
Longest music (8:24) “Universe (Gravity For Hearts)”, written by Sascha Gerstner, one other speedy quantity that displays a traditional Keepers Half II break with dramatic spoken phrase and twin guitar solos. Effectively accomplished.
Album artist Eliran Kantor additionally painted the self-titled album sustaining an figuring out consistency for this period of the band, utilizing gentle brush strokes that items collectively colour into shapes and varieties to create a stream within the design. Giants And Monsters bursts with power and spirit, seasoned craftsmanship that embraces all eras of Helloween.
