🎃 Helloween – Giants & Monsters Album Review by The Metal Voice

The Metal Voice
Jun 27
4 min read

Release Date: August 29, 2025 (Reigning Phoenix Music)

Masquerade, Masquerade – here we go again!

By Jimmy Kay : The Metal Voice

Helloween are back—again. Giants & Monsters marks their second studio album with the full “Pumpkins United” lineup, featuring the triumphant return of Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen

But after the critically acclaimed 2021 self-titled reunion record, does Pumpkin strike twice?

Let’s dive in.

⚡ Vibe & Themes

Right out the gate, Giants & Monsters feels brighter, more spiritual, and infused with uplifting energy. As Andi Deris said in a recent interview (with The Metal Voice) that this album reflects a more brighter uplifting direction. The lyrics exploring reincarnation, gods, saviors, and aliens. Yeah, Helloween went there.

🎛️ Production

Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward are back behind the knobs. The production stays consistent with the 2021 album—clean, powerful, and well-balanced. Nothing too slick. If you liked the production last time around, same deal here.

Andi Deris Interview The Metal Voice

🎤 Vocals – A True United Front

Unlike their 2021 release (which I do Enjoy)—where it kind of felt at times like two bands, one album, the Deris' songs and Kiske tracks (with sprinkles of Kai). This time all three vocalists (Deris, Kiske, Hansen) vocal interplay seems more seamless which makes it feel like one band all the time. Harmonies soar, trade-offs are natural, and each singer brings their strength to the table without stepping on the others or making it seem like two bands.

This isn’t a reunion—it’s a fusion. baby

🎸 Style & Sound

Musically, Giants & Monsters is adventurous and varied. The signature Helloween stamp is still there—melodic speed metal, anthemic, speed, twin-guitar harmonies, double bass drums, anthemic choruses—but with a few twists.

🎵 Track-by-Track Highlights

1. "Giants on the Run"

A 6-minute epic that recalls “Skyfall” in complexity and scope. Deris leads the vocals, but Kai Hansen stops in on the bridge and then we get a Blind Guardian-esque operatic midsection. Big riffs, big chorus.

⭐ Album opener of the year contender.

2. "Savior of the World"

Kiske grabs the mic, front and center on this track and we get a Helloween classic double-bass speed metal burner. Happy Happy major key with two tight solos.

🍽️ Meat and Potatoes, Pumpkin Power Metal. Heard it before but that's ok.

3. "A Little Is a Little Too Much"

Deris and Kiske trade verses in a syrupy, melodic throwback to ‘80s radio metal. Sweet, short, and oddly addictive. A sister to 'This is Tokyo' I'm predicting this is the next single. Highlight track for me.

📺 MTV in the best way.

4. "We Can Be Gods"

Fast-paced, with a hint of piano-laced metal with Kiske and Hansen trading vocals. A Maiden-on-steroids midsection seals the deal with twin guitar harmonies.

🤘 Classic Helloween flair with a touch of Queen of the Ryche scream

5. "Into the Sun"

A dramatic haunting ballad that shows the vocal chemistry between Deris and Kiske. A brilliant duet, Synth-laced and dramatic. Both singers really shining and allowing their different tones to compliment each other. Another highlight

6. "This Is Tokyo"

Catchy as hell. You've heard it—you can’t unhear it.

7. "Universe (Gravity for Hearts)"

Another Skyfall lost cousin, this one led by Kiske on vox. Multi-tempo sections, operatic bits, lots of energy. Not the most original chorus, but a grower.

🪐 Solid, not spectacular—but still fun.

8. "Hand of God"

Deris on vocals with Kiske doubling up. A heavier, moodier hypnotic tone. Groove, industrial anthemic metal. One can even say a metal dance number but not in a bad way more of a head bopping way. And shall I say a MONSTER solo. Big thumbs up here, nice to jump out of the box a bit.

9. "Under the Moonlight"

Wow, now jump into a time machine back to the Kiske Keeper era. This could have easily been on Keeper part 1 or 2 in terms of mid paced upbeat and quirky Helloween songs. Love the Michael Kiske throwback!

10. "Majestic"

A powerful, epic closer. Grandiose and fitting for the album’s themes of spiritual transcendence and cosmic power. Lots of vocal tradeoff from the three. Heavy! Aliens! Dynamic! Clocking in at 8:08 minutes. Goosebumps. Superb. Brilliant.

🎤 Final Thoughts

Giants & Monsters isn’t just a worthy follow-up to the 2021 reunion album—it surpasses it. The band sounds more cohesive, the songwriting is more daring, and the spirit of Helloween—both classic and modern—is alive and well. It feels more memorable than their debut reunion. Plus there is something for everyone