Do power metal legends come any bigger than Helloween? We don’t think so! Pioneers in the European variant of the style, they wrote the rulebook for countless bands to follow with early essentials like ‘Walls Of Jericho’ and ‘Keeper Of The Seven Keys Parts I & II’, and since Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske rejoined the band, Helloween have been going strength to strength. While news of a brand new studio album has yet to be unveiled, the German heavyweights have a got a new live album to whet your appetites. Get ready to dive headfirst into their electrifying world of melodic speed metal with ‘Live At Budokan’, a colossal release that immortalizes their iconic performance at Tokyo’s legendary Nippon Budokan.

Dropping on December 13, 2024 through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), this release will be available in a plethora of formats: 2CD-digipak and 3LP vinyl in trifold with the first print run of both coming as deluxe edition including embossed cover artwork, as well as Blu-ray, DVD and digital. Each version is meticulously crafted to suit the metal community’s diverse tastes, ensuring every fan can relive the raw, unfiltered energy of Helloween in their preferred medium. Pre-order/pre-save the album here: https://helloween.rpm.link/liveatbudokanPR

To get you in the mood, the band have released a new live video of ‘Best Time’ from 2021’s insanely popular self-titled album, one of the best power metal records of the New Millennium.

Guitarist Sascha Gerstner comments: “‘Best Time’ captures the energy and the moment when everything fits together perfectly and you leave everything negative behind. For me, this track is an anthem for all those nights when you’re heading towards the future. That’s why it conveys exactly this mood in concert, as if you were living in a single great moment that lasts forever.”

The setlist of this live album is a treasure trove of surprises, contains the entire 2-hour+ show and offers a fresh experience compared to previous releases like 2019’s ‘United Alive’. This thoughtful song selection honors both the die-hard fans craving something new and the band’s rich musical legacy, showcasing their evolution and expansive repertoire.

This live album is more than just a concert recording; it’s a celebration of Helloween’s enduring impact on the metal scene. It promises to bring the magic of an unforgettable performance straight into fans’ homes, offering a piece of music history that embodies the spirit and energy of a legendary band at their peak.

Photo by: Masayuki Noda

Check out the ‘Best Time’ video right here: