Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Interview by Ali Blackdiamond

Blackdiamond recently caught up with the original guitarist Michael Weikath from German power metallers HELLOWEEN, during a short break from the Hellish Rock Tour Part II with GAMMA RAY. Michael was very relaxed and drinking coffee in his home on the Canary Islands during the humorous chat.

We discussed everything from what’s happening with the band to MAC computers and U2. You can read some excerpts below and listen to the full interview on the audio player:

On the current album “Straight Out Of Hell,” Michael said: “The album has been fun with positive reviews. This is one of those things you always dream and hope would come along and we’re very proud of it. We hope we can repeat it a few times.”

About the next HELLOWEEN album, Michael expressed: “There’s general ideas hanging in mid air as usual, but there’s not the slightest idea of what it could be about. But we assume it’s going to be another record in the line of the last three or four, because that seems kind of a good approach. It can be expected in early 2015 – we want to do it properly and not rush things.”

We also talked about the music Michael enjoys listening to and he had plenty to say about a couple of bands:

“I’m kind of suffering a little bit from the last Muse album! I’m such a big Muse fan until the last record. It’s kind of sad to see how they copy Queen and U2, which nobody needs. I would prefer to hear original material. it’s great if it sells, but please, I need more interesting Muse records in the future!

U2 right now are the biggest band in the world, sadly. I don’t mean disrespect to the persons involved, it’s just that kind of music is not so great that it should be number one. They are selling a lot more than AC/DC. I don’t want to piss people off by what I say, that’s just what I think.”