Helloween vocalist Andi Deris recently spoke with Canada’s The Metal Voice about how he’s maintained his vocal strength over the years—especially as the band prepares to release their upcoming album, Giants & Monsters. Reflecting on his health habits and vocal performance, Deris offered a candid take on the benefits of lifestyle changes.
“Well, I consider myself not living unhealthily except for my cigar consumption. But one death you have to die. [Laughs] Put it that way: it’s less destructive than chainsmoking normal cigarettes, because [when you smoke cigarettes] you inhale, it’s ending up in your lungs, whereas with a cigar, you don’t take in [unhealthy fumes]. So, for me, it’s got the big advantage that certainly my vocal cords are not as stressed as they used to be, because, sure, when you come offstage after a two-hour or three-hour show and then you smoke another 10 cigarettes, we all know what happens with your vocal cords. I mean, they don’t really celebrate this. [Laughs] So now it’s much cooler. I mean, I’ve got, like, two and a half, maybe even three half-tones easier to sing up there without being scared each and every night if I still can do it, because of smoking. So it was a stupid habit. But loving cigars or loving tobacco, I’m fine with cigars now. I don’t miss cigarettes. That’s cool.” (transcribed by Blabbermouth)
When interviewer Alan Dixon commented that Deris’s voice on Giants & Monsters sounds like it did “20 years ago,” Deris attributed the improvement not just to quitting cigarettes but also to where he records.
“Well, when you record here on the island, you’ve got the salt water. I don’t smoke anymore, so this gave me immediately, as I told you, two and a half, three tones. That makes a lot of difference. And in another 15 years from now, I’m probably using A.I. [Laughs]”
Giants & Monsters, will be out on August 29 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), is the follow-up to Helloween’s self-titled 2021 album. It was mixed at the historic Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands—a facility known for work with artists like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Def Leppard.
To mark four decades of heavy metal history, Helloween will embark on a 40th anniversary global tour. The European leg kicks off in mid-October and has already seen several sold-out shows. The band promises a comprehensive setlist and surprises, underlining their enduring influence and creativity.
Giants & Monsters also reflects Helloween’s commitment to sonic evolution. The band teamed up with producers Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward, who helped push their sound further. In one example of the album’s attention to detail, drummer Dani Löble used three different drum kits to match the mood of each track—demonstrating the band’s dedication to experimentation and refinement.
