PUMPKIN POWER HITS HELSINKI

Live photos by PP Marila

It was clear from the very first notes that the night's sold-out show at Helsinki Ice Hall, "Nordis," was going to be a triumph. As "March of Time" marched seven kings of power metal onto the stage, the audience was more than ready.

The 40 Year Anniversary Tour has proved that Helloween continues to deliver rock-solid performances, clearly living the time of their lives after reuniting the band's lead singers, a recipe that truly works.

The current lineup allows all three vocalists to shine. The combination of Michael Kiske, Andi Deris, and Kai Hansen on lead vocals created a seamless and entertaining flow, sometimes sharing vocals and sometimes giving each other brief breaks during the massive two-hour-plus show. Kiske and Deris displayed excellent onstage chemistry, and their instantly recognizable voices sounded better than ever, both together and solo. One of the band's cornerstones, Kai Hansen, had his dedicated moments too, getting the audience wild every time he was on vocals.

Original member and bassist Markus Grosskopf was a joy to watch, fully present on stage with constant interaction with the audience. Guitarist Michael Weikath, also an original member, played a solid set alongside long-time guitarist Sascha Gerstner. Drummer Dani Löble, who joined Helloween from Blaze Bayley's band two decades ago, provided an unwavering drive behind the kit.

A bold, over ten-minute version of "The King for a 1000 Years" came second on the set list, followed by "Future World" from the first Keeper of the Seven Keys album, which truly got the night rolling.

The band premiered four songs from their new album Giants and Monsters (2025) during the evening. The new material blended seamlessly with the old classics, and the audience's response was welcoming. The new record has already proven to be a treasure chest of future hits like "This Is Tokyo" and "A Little Is a Little Too Much," and now the fans got to experience how these songs work live.

Kiske then took the stage with "Twilight of the Gods," giving Andi Deris a brief rest. Before the song, Kiske noted that although it was originally written in the '80s, its message still feels strikingly relevant today, especially in a world ruled by the man-made digital gods we live with, or are forced to live with.

One of the evening's highlights came when Kai Hansen took the lead with his guitar and his rough-around-the-edges voice on "Ride the Sky," while Weikath along Hansen showcased their top-tier guitar skills.

The massive widescreen backdrop served almost as the band's eighth member, offering a variety of vivid visual experiences. For example, "Universe (Gravity for Hearts)" from the new album not only sounded fantastic but was accompanied by beautiful lyrics displayed on screen. The time was then ripe for "Hell Was Made in Heaven," written by bassist Markus Grosskopf, and after that the classic banger "I Want Out" melted even the coolest faces in the crowd.

When Kiske and Deris performed the acoustic version of "A Tale That Wasn't Right," it left more than a few eyes misty. But the audience didn't have long to linger in emotion, as the catchy new hit "A Little Is a Little Too Much" followed, leading straight into "Heavy Metal (Is the Law)", where Kai Hansen took command as both vocalist and guitarist.

Such an epic evening deserved an equally epic ending and that's exactly what the audience got with "Halloween" and after that "Eagle Fly Free," "Power," and "Dr. Stein" as encores. The crowd witnessed a confident, energetic, and heartwarming performance from every member of the band. Confetti, pyrotechnics, smiling faces, and the chorus of "Keeper of the Seven Keys" sent everyone home with one shared thought: we were lucky to be here tonight.

PP Marila

On Thursday night, November 6th, Helsinki Ice Hall became a cathedral of pure heavy metal joy and celebration. When Helloween took the stage to celebrate their 40th anniversary, they didn't just perform; they ignited hearts, memories, and generations of fans in a nearly 2.5-hour jubilee of musicianship, emotion, and pure, unfiltered energy.

It became evident this was going to be more than a concert. This was a celebration of legacy, brotherhood, and the timeless bond between the band and the fans that both parties in question have carefully been building over many decades, like a firm bridge into the unpredictable future world.

And speaking of yet-to-be-written future matters, who would have really guessed there would have been not just two but THREE vocalists at once in Helloween in 2025? Well, not me that's for sure, not even in my wildest dreams. Having three lead vocalists might sound like a luxury but for Helloween, it means a superpower, if this cliché is allowed to be used here.

Michael Kiske, the voice of Helloween's golden era, was nothing short of stunning. His crystalline high notes in "A Tale That Wasn't Right" and "Eagle Fly Free" soared effortlessly through the hall, evoking goosebumps (at least in yours truly) with every sustained note.

Andi Deris brought his characteristic charisma and edge, commanding the crowd with confidence and warmth. His renditions of "We Burn," "Hell Was Made in Heaven," and "Power" radiated his unmistakable modern Helloween swagger, yet his grin alone seemed to recharge the audience.

Finally, there was Mr. Kai Hansen, the founding member, guitar hero, and old-school storyteller. His gritty, passionate delivery of early classics like "Ride the Sky" and "Heavy Metal (Is the Law)" was pure time travel for me, back to when I had first discovered this 4-piece German outfit back in 1985 and was amazed by their speed metal parties on the self-titled EP and debut album, Walls of Jericho. Watching him trade solos and smiles with Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner felt like witnessing history reborn on stage.

Together, the three voices blended like a celebration of eras, past, present, and future, each taking their moment in the spotlight while uniting in powerful harmonies that shook hall's rafters.

The setlist was pretty much a dream come true for many who had attended to witness these magnificent pumpkin heads in action; a carefully crafted time machine through some of Helloween's greatest moments. From the speed metal roots of Walls of Jericho to the anthemic heights of Keeper of the Seven Keys and the modern fire of the band's latest album Giants & Monsters, every era was honored.

The transitions were seamless, the energy constant. Each song felt like a warm and pleasant X-mas gift. "Future World" had everyone bouncing, "Dr. Stein" turned into a joyous singalong, and songs like "Universe (Gravity for Hearts)" and "Halloween" were epic, nearly spiritual experiences. Especially the latter one's grand finale lit up by soaring vocals, intricate solos, and the kind of unity only a band with 40 years of magic can conjure.

Markus Grosskopf's bass thundered like a metallic pumpkin on a Halloween night, while Dani Löble delivered an awe-inspiring drum performance that balanced precision with primal power. The twin guitars of Weikath and Gerstner wove a symphony of melody and metal, each solo greeted with cheers of gratitude and admiration.

As for the stage visuals, they were very eye-catching and spectacular: flashes of orange, red, green and black, pumpkins and pyrotechnics, all perfectly synchronized with the music. Yet, despite the grandeur, there was warmth, a tangible connection between the band and their fans. For example, when thousands of voices joined together in the chorus of "I Want Out," the Ice Hall became one giant choir of unity and power and I mean that literally. Oh wow, those sweet goosebumps hit my spine once again...

After nearly two and a half hours, when the final chords echoed and confetti rained down, the band stood arm in arm, visibly moved. Forty years, countless shows, countless stories and still, they play like it's their first night and their last night all at once.

In summary, this wasn't just a concert, it was a testament to endurance, friendship, and love for music. Helloween proved that heavy metal at its heart is about connection. Their energy was infectious, their gratitude genuine, their performance transcendent.

As fans poured out of the entrance into the cold Helsinki night, one feeling was shared by all: we had just witnessed something truly special; a Helloween show, no, a true spectacle of pure and empowering heavy metal joy that we, the fans, will surely remember for many years to come.

It's more than fair to state that Helloween's 40th anniversary show in Helsinki wasn't merely a gig; it was a proud celebration of life itself, wrapped in melody, power and yes, pure musical joy. I, as a longtime fan of the band, was so happy to witness all that, getting an outstanding Helloween experience during that special night that I will undoubtedly cherish 'til the end of my world.

Luxi Lahtinen