German power-metal originators Helloween have just released their highly anticipated new album, Giants & Monsters, via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). The LP follows Helloween‘s self-titled No. 1 2021 record and promises to be the most versatile and dynamic release of the band’s career, reaffirming Helloween‘s position at the pinnacle of the metal world.
The Giants & Monsters album release is accompanied by a 1990s MTV-style music video for “A Little Is A Little Too Much”. Under complete banishment of artificial intelligence (A.I.), it beams the viewer into a miniature doll house, making the artists not look like monsters, but giants indeed. Playing with optical illusions, the video captivates eyes, ears, and all other senses with Helloween‘s trademark sense of humor and shows the fun within the band. The song itself is a veritable hit with a hook that carves its way into the fans’ minds and captivates them immediately.
Helloween singer Andi Deris comments on the song: “I wanted to write something about the last drop that causes a huge flooding — a little is a little too much. The story itself is a bit erotic. It’s about my first experiences when I was a teenager. You always dream about having sex, and finally, once you have it, you realize: Okay, it took one second for something to happen that you didn’t want in that moment. And here we go: A little is a little too much, better don’t move or don’t touch. But in the end, it is about all the minor things that get out of hand with this little bit more, and then it’s a little too much.”
Helloween guitarist Sascha Gerstner, originator of the clip idea, adds: “Helloween have been known for going against the tide of heavy metal clichés since the ’80s. Think of music videos like ‘I Want Out’ or ‘Where The Rain Grows’ — it always was about not taking yourself too seriously. With the music video for ‘A Little Is A Little Too Much’, we wanted to pursue this spirit and connect the old days with the new era.”
Giants & Monsters pushes the boundaries of Helloween‘s sound, thanks to the instincts of producers Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward, as well as the band’s relentless pursuit of excellence. For example, drummer Dani Löble recorded all tracks using three different drum kits to capture the perfect vibe for each song, a testament to their attention to detail and love of experimentation.
The band’s chemistry continues to drive their success. “What keeps motivating us is the fact that we’re extremely different. It generates creative energy,” says guitarist Michael Weikath. Guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen adds: “We try not to take ourselves and everything around us too seriously.” Singer Andi Deris sums it up: “In the end, we’re just seven guys who want to make music and enjoy the incomparable force that arises when we’re together. Helloween is way more powerful than the sum of its parts.”
