Helloween

The German metallers release a new album in August and play an anniversary show in October.

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Hamburg-based Helloween, who played a pivotal role in the birth and development of power metal, have experienced good times and bad over the past four decades. Co-founding guitarist Michael Weikath previews their new album, Giants & Monsters and a birthday party at London's Hammersmith Apollo by the current seven-man incarnation – still boosted by the return of both singer Michael Kiske and guitarist Kai Hansen in 2016.

When Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske rejoined Helloween almost a decade ago, some assumed it would be one big, final payday, then over and done. But you've proved those people wrong.

I'm sure those same people had had a hard time with Helloween the way they were. The band is now for the greater good. We don't beat each other up or try to get even over things that happened a long time ago in the past.

With so many opinions and talents in the band to juggle, can things be unmanageable?

It's a good question. But these days we have good management. The management of the old Helloween – the five-man band – could never react to problems. Now, each and every character is known, and things are handled very well.

Has Michael Kiske rediscovered his love of heavy metal? It's even been claimed he was never much of a fan in the first place.

It all depends on the kind of metal. Michael was always a fan of Iron Maiden and Queensrÿche, but he cannot stand the dark, demonic stuff.

How have Kai and Michael changed during their time away from Helloween?