As previously announced, German power metal legends HELLOWEEN are set to release their very special ‘Hellbook’ this Halloween, celebrating 30 years of their career. The band have been revealing short teasers to fans via their official Facebook page and today have published a short ‘book effect’ clip of what can be expected, which can be seen here.
Bass player Markus Grosskopf states:
“For us, this book is highly emotional and evokes a thousand memories. Good moments as well as not so good ones are captured here. 30 years of HELLOWEEN on almost 500 pages – and no end in sight …”
HELLOWEEN are currently in Indonesia, almost at the end of their worldwide tour for 2015 in support of the latest album “My God Given Right”, which was released in May. The following dates are the last for this year:
Oct 24 Stadion Maguwoharjo Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Nov 13 Hard Rock Hell 9 Pwllheli, United Kingdom
Nov 14 Ferienpark Weissenhäuser Strand, Germany
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:
Metal Shock Finland has recently discovered that German power metal generators HELLOWEEN are working on their first book ever in the band’s career, to be entitled “Hellbook“, which is mentioned as the ‘Helloween bible’ on the band’s official website, thought not very visible there.
“Since 2005, the band’s steady line-up consists of Andi Deris (vocals), Michael Weikath (guitar), Markus Großkopf (bass), Sascha Gerstner(guitar) and Daniel Löble (drums). 2015 sees the band’s 30th anniversary featuring the publication of the first book in the band’s career ever. The downright ‘Helloween bible’ called “Hellbook” is guaranteed to become a sought after fan item as well as the only official reference book to date. ” That’s the only information that you can find on the HELLOWEEN website.
Metal Shock Finland ‘s Chief Editor, Mohsen Fayazi, recently conducted an interview with the band’s Bass Invader, Markus Grosskopf. “I don’t really know the time when it will come out but we are working on it and the details,” Markus said when he seemed to be surprised that we know about the book. He continues: “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 how do you know it?” (laughs)
This chat between Markus Grosskopf and Mohsen Fayazi, will be released early next week on Metal Shock Finland, so stay with us!
Legendary German power metal generators HELLOWEEN have recently finished their Asian tour. The band have posted the following message for their fans:
“Asia, it was unbelievable. 8 shows in 12 days, 3 of which in Tokyo. Plenty of euphoric fans and sold-out venues, delighted journalists, and at the finish 30,000 Indonesian Pumpkinheads at the show @ Kukar Rocking Festival. And then, the whole thing was topped off by an invitation by sultan Haji Adji Salehuddin II of Kutai Kartanegara ing Martadipura of Borneo: After the official ceremony with dance, meal and swords as gifts for the whole band, you could consider it more than enough events for one metal summer. But far from it: In 2013, the expression ‘break’ simply doesn’t exist in the Helloween universe.
So, upon arrival the flight cases are loaded up again, because the festival season is getting off the starting blocks, and Andi, Weiki, Sascha, Markus, Dani, and the live crew have only just begun to warm up! To preheat, here’s a look back on the biggest headliner show in band history at 2011’s legendary Polish Woodstock Festival in front of an incredible half a million people: https://vimeo.com/68862344. Anyone who doesn’t reach at least ‘Hellish Rock Operating Temperature’ with this awesome version of “Where the Sinners Go”, probably really needs to resort to a real ‘Festival Show From Hell’.”
“HELLISH ROCK PART II” TOUR @ FESTIVALS
06/21/13 F, Clisson – Hellfest
06/22/13 PL, Jaworzno – Metalfest
06/28/13 B, Dessel – Graspop
07/11/13 S, Svedala – Sommarrock
07/26/13 S, Rejmyre – Skogsrojet
08/03/13 FIN, Kuopio – Rock Cock Festival
08/10/13 SK, Snina – Rock pod Kamenom
08/15/13 F, Colmar – Festival de la Foire
08/24/13 D, Schleswig – Balitc Open Air
09/22/13 BR, Rio de Janeiro – Rock in Rio
11/16/13 D, Weissenhäuser Strand – Metal Hammer Paradise
Also the band have posted a photo of bassist Markus Grosskopf where the band claimed that he was released from prison before HELLFEST. As we know our pumpkinheads have a good sense of humour and this photo looks like a joke as well. The photo can be seen below:
In a forthcoming interview with RockOverdose, HELLOWEEN bassist and founding member Markus Grosskopf talked about the rumors about the band’s core members reunion (Michael Kiske, Kai Hansen) for some anniversary shows, however he does not know anything about the issue but would not say no to such a proposal.
Markus Grosskopf
Also referred to are the two upcoming Helloween live shows with GAMMA RAY (March 9th, 10th in Athens and Thessaloniki) and said they are preparing something special with Kai Hansen, but kept it as a surprise.
He also talked about the Greek audience that knows how to entertain themselves and make the atmosphere appropriate for live shows, the early days of Helloween as a band and its members, and about his free time and the things he does when loosened up from the tours and recordings.
Metal-Trails.com recently conducted an interview with bassist Markus Grosskopf of German power metallers HELLOWEEN. You can now watch the chat below. (Note: The interview was conducted in German. To see English subtitles, click on “CC” button or activate “Interactive Transcript” function.)
HELLOWEEN will release its new album, “Straight Out Of Hell”, in Europe on January 18 and in North America on January 22, 2013. The cover artwork was once again created by Martin Häusler, who previously worked with the band on the “7 Sinners” and “Gambling With The Devil” CDs.
“Straight Out Of Hell” is described in a press release as “a work full of speed and toughness, with optimism and great joy of playing, featuring complex arrangements, strong hooks and plenty of catchy melodies. Or, to let the facts speak for themself: 13 mostly fast-paced songs that turn out to be impressively multi-layered and will completely delight all HELLOWEEN fans, due to the different songwriters Andi Deris, founding members Michael Weikath and Markus Grosskopf, and guitarist Sascha Gerstner.”
Says Weikath: “‘Straight Out Of Hell’ is the consequent development of the two albums before. ‘7 Sinners’ was recorded more or less in the wake of ‘Gambling With The Devil’, while the new songs are a continuation of the ‘7 Sinners’ directives, only a little less doom bound and noticeably more positive. These songs will kick even the laziest listener’s ass.”
HELLOWEEN recently completed work on the video for the CD’s first single, the six-minute opus “Nabataea”.
“Straight Out Of Hell” track listing:
01. Nabataea
02. World Of War
03. Live Now!
04. Far From The Stars
05. Burning Sun
06. Waiting For The Thunder
07. Hold Me In Your Arms
08. Wanna Be God
09. Straight Out Of Hell
10. Asshole
11. Years
12. Make Fire Catch The Fly
13. Church Breaks Down
Limited-edition bonus tracks:
14. Another Shot Of Life
15. Burning Sun (Hammond version; dedicated to Jon Lord)
On the live front, meanwhile, HELLOWEEN (fresh from appearing at prestigious Japanese festival Loud Park) will be returning to the road in March 2013 — the first part of a world tour set to kick off in mainland Europe, with GAMMA RAY as special guests. The follow-up to the “Hellish Rock” tour of 2007/2008, this extended outing (“Hellish Rock Part II”) will bring the band to the U.K. on April 16 for a one-off date at the London Forum.