ALBUM REVIEW: HELLOWEEN - GIANTS AND MONSTERS (29/08/25)
Giants & Monsters out 29 August via Reigning Phoenix
Released on 29 August 2025, Giants & Monsters is the seventeenth studio album from German power-metal legends Helloween, marking their second studio effort (following 2021’s self-titled release Helloween) with the reunited lineup - Andi Deris, Michael Kiske, and Kai Hansen among them. The album was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward, and mixed at the famed Wisseloord Studios (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Def Leppard, etc), delivering a polished yet powerful sound that balances clarity and punch.
The opener, ‘Giants on the Run’, is a classic Helloween blast of power-metal energy: galloping riffs, soaring melodies, and an anthemic chorus that immediately sets the pace for what’s to come. It’s a confident, high-energy introduction that signals the band is not looking backward, but rather reasserting their place in modern metal.
‘Savior of the World’ channels the spirit of the Keeper of the Seven Keys era with soaring chorus and speed-metal intensity. Michael Kiske’s voice soars just like it did in the late '80s. The whole track pulses with that old-school Helloween spirit, but without sounding like a throwback.
Then comes ‘A Little Is a Little Too Much’, which shifts gears into lighter, more playful territory. With its catchy riff and glam-infused swagger, the track flirts with hair-metal sounds, delivering one of the album’s most accessible and infectious moments.
‘We Can Be Gods’ showcases all three vocalists in full force, a true blend of the band’s eras. Kiske, Deris, and Hansen each bring their distinct styles, but it’s the way their voices intertwine - trading lines and stacking harmonies - that gives the song its power.
The emotional ‘Into the Sun’ features a heartfelt duet between Deris and Kiske, offering the listener a moment to slow down. A beautiful track that can be described as one of the band’s finest ballads.
‘This Is Tokyo’, the lead single, is a high-energy anthem honouring Japan - a country instrumental to Deris’s early success. Its chorus - made for stadiums - and punchy guitars make it uniquely personal and instantly memorable.
The epic ‘Universe (Gravity for Hearts)’ and ‘Majestic’, both over eight minutes long, show just how big and ambitious the band’s sound can be. Despite their length, they never feel slow or drawn out. Instead, they flow naturally with powerful shifts in energy, rich layers, and strong melodies that keep things interesting the whole way through.
Other standout moments include ‘Hand of God,’ a darker, groove-driven song with a moody atmosphere that adds variety to the album’s tone, and ‘Under the Moonlight,’ which channels early Helloween charm with a melodic, almost whimsical quality.
Despite the genre-hopping - from power-metal to balladry to hair-rock - the album remains cohesive. Thoughtful track sequencing ensures a seamless listening experience, keeping it engaging across its 50-minute runtime. The songwriting feels free and confident, hinting at a band comfortable in its chemistry.
Giants & Monsters is a bold, embracing celebration of Helloween’s legacy. It stands as a worthy - and in some eyes superior - follow-up to their reunion effort, brimming with power, emotion, and creative variety. Whether you’re drawn to epic tales, soaring choruses, or heartfelt ballads, this album caters superbly - and proves that true power-metal giants never fade.
