Pioneers of power metal, energetic heavy metal, saints of positive vibes and pumpkin heads. They are all that and more and these are some of the descriptions of German heavy metal band, HELLOWEEN, who really don’t need to be introduced.

Thanks to my friends in Nuclear Blast, especially Markus Wosgien, I, Mohsen Fayazi, had a chance to have an interview with HELLOWEEN’s Bass Invader, Markus Grosskopf a few days ago.

Recently, I discovered that the HELLOWEEN members are working on a book, which they will call  ‘Hellbook‘, I did lots of searches but unfortunately wasn’t able to find more information.  I was very curious about this, so my first question was about this book, which Markus called a ‘surprise’, and I should say that I already surprised him by knowing this information, as he asked “how do you know it?” (laughing).

Obviously, the first things which we always seek about any book are The Name and The Writer(s). Well, we know the name (Hellbook) but who is or are responsible for writing and making up the book? Markus did not mention any names but he said: “We are collecting stuff and pictures, old and new ones, then we can correct it. It will be a kind of history book with lots of pictures, but it is going to be a little surprise.” But when we should expect to have this book in our hands or on our shelves, Markus did not know either, “I don’t really know the time when it comes out but we are working on it and the details.”

HELLOWEEN is a unique band in the heavy metal universe indeed, so I asked Mr. Grosskopf about this, “We are what we are you know, we are not pretending to be or play something else than what we love or that we really are. We are not going out there, pretending to be an angry heavy metal band…” Markus said. But I also asked him what he has learned in these three decades while he has been a member of the band. He answered me humbly: “You cannot really change the world, but you can help a little here and there and get people in a better mood.”

You know, HELLOWEEN ‘s new masterpiece, “My God-Given Right” was released by Nuclear Blast, so I asked him how it is working with them. Markus said: “It is very good, it is very nice, we finally came back home. They treat us very well, we saw them on a festival, we had a few drinks together. It is nice working with them, it is nice working with Markus Wosgien. You know, it’s an old metal company.” Then later, when I asked him what happened with Sony Music, Markus answered me: “The contract was simply over and we were free to go wherever we would like to go. There was no big fight or bad words, it was just like going back home. Nuclear Blast guys were always around all those years, checking us out and asking what you gonna do next. That interest made us think, if they’re always around anyway, why not try it again with them and it is working very good.”

HELLOWEEN fans are unique, just like their favourite band. Being truly die-hard fans is one of their qualities as well as being positive of course. If you are one of them, I am sure you are dying know about the band’s upcoming plans and that’s what I asked Markus. He told me that they will continue playing shows and festivals and partying with their fans, but the most interesting part of his words was when he said: “Let’s hope that there is another decade to play and record for us!” So if you are a pumpkin-head too, you can or cannot calm down and listen to your favourite album, “My God-Given Right“.

I, Mohsen Fayazi, Chief Editor of The Magic Of Metal, Metal Shock Finland, wish all the best and metal to the Helloween members and all of their mighty fans, from Indonesia to Brazil and from Iran to USA… Keep on rockin’ and Stay Crazy!

And please take time and listen to the whole of my interview with Markus on the Audio Player below: