“[Andi Deris and I] are like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin…I’ve never experienced anything like that before.”

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Photo Credit: Martin Hausler

It’s been nearly two years since the highly-praised and #1 charting release of HELLOWEEN’s self-titled 16th studio album. It was the first HELLOWEEN album to feature the “Pumpkins United” line-up, featuring the returns of guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY) and vocalist Michael Kiske (UNISONIC).

The German 7-piece have been chomping at the bit to get back out on the road and share the new material live and in person. HELLOWEEN joins Swedish Power Metallers HAMMERFALL for the United Forces 2023 Tour. The trek kicks off at Monsters of Rock in Bogota, Columbia on April 4, 2023, with a handful of dates through South America to follow.

From there, HELLOWEEN heads back home for a couple of shows, before heading to the United States & Canada for a 13 date run. The party continues throughout Europe for the better part of the summer and fall. I had the chance to speak with vocalist Michael Kiske ahead of United Forces Tour kick-off.

Highlights include:

-Discussion of their 2023 United Forces Tour
-Their camaraderie with tour mates HAMMERFALL
-New songs on the set list
-His relationship with vocalist Andi Deris
-The success of their self-titled 2021 album
-35th Anniversary of Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II
-Fighting their then label over song selections
-Music losing its creativity to formulas
-Kiske’s future acoustic solo album
-Guesting on MICHAEL SCHENKER’s Universal album

-New HELLOWEEN music in development
-And, much, much more

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