Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
We’re always up for a celebration, and we definitely could’t miss this one! It’s all about celebrating Helloween’s 40th year with a special tour called “March of Time,” which is set to be a fantastic look back at their incredible career. If you’re planning to catch any of the shows in Europe, Asia, or the Americas, get ready for some classics from the “Keeper” album, speed metal hits from the “Walls of Jericho” era, and fresh tracks from their latest album “Giants & Monsters” (2025), which features the full seven-piece “Pumpkins United” lineup for the second time. Yep, you heard it right the first time! The 7-piece band now includes vocalists Michael Kiske and Andi Deris, guitarists Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen, and Sascha Gerstner, along with Markus Grosskopf on bass and Daniel “Dani” Löble on drums.
We, like many, were excited to have their incredible presence at the Eventim Apollo, with Beast In Black joining as the special guest.
There’s a lot to talk about when it comes to Finnish, Beasts in Black, but one thing’s for sure: those guys are definitely meant for big stages and huge crowds. Even though it was Monday, the front rows of the venue were totally into it, ready to cheer, jumping around and getting into each song. The band really brought the energy, putting on a lively set of “fancy hits” that featured classic, synchronised guitar moves, kind of like some of their power metal buddies, along with the super entertaining facial expressions from guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen. Singer Yannis Papadopoulos took a moment to celebrate the band’s ten-year anniversary and hinted at more to come before launching into the crowd-favorite “Blood of a Lion.” It was clear there was a real connection with the fans, who eagerly shouted out between songs. Their set reached an exciting peak when they announced a fourth upcoming album and teased a return show next year, which sent the crowd into chaos just before they launched into “No Surrender.” The performance was full of energy, and it was clear the band really knows how to connect with the crowd and bring smiles all around.
Photo: Peterson Marti.
I have to say, this show really blew me away! The stage setup, the band members’ participation, their stage presence, and the overall delivery were just fantastic. These days, many bands focus on various elements during live shows, but those like Dream Theatre that create a complete experience really bring a magical moment for everyone. The details in the graphics and screen designs are just mind-blowing! Sometimes, they even distract from the actual music. It seems to me like the band aimed to put a fresh spin on their classic songs, really honing in on “how to best deliver emotions.”
The reunion felt so heartwarming! You can really see how much the band members enjoy performing together. They’re so charismatic and playful with each other, like old friends catching up after a long time apart.
The alternates of all three vocals added a dramatic touch and made the lengthy playlist of 24 songs a delight for our ears. It was such a unique experience to see Kiske and Deris performing together, sometimes even swapping their classic tracks. From the heavy duet vibes to the acoustic feel of “In the Middle of a Heartbeat” and “A Tale That Wasn’t Right,” and then moving on to the dynamic and challenging “March of Time” and “Halloween,” it was quite a ride!
The entire setlist was designed to take us on a journey of fast-paced moments and moments that bring tears of joy. Let’s also throw in some of the new tracks from their latest album, like “This Is Tokyo” and “A Little Is a Little Too Much.”
I’d really like to wrap up this report by wishing them another 40 years ahead!
Photo: Peterson Marti.
