Helloween can almost be summed up in a single word: epic. For four decades, the Germans have embodied everything power metal does best, soaring melodies, relentless rhythms, triumphant choruses and enough harmonized guitar leads to make even the most hardened traditionalist smile. Since the return of founding guitarist Kai Hansen and original singer Michael Kiske, and the resulting fusion of two classic lineups under the "Pumpkins United" banner, the band has become an even more formidable proposition. Their place alongside Accept and Queensrÿche on a bill topped by Iron Maiden feels like the fulfillment of a heavy metal fan's most unreasonable wishes.
Even in broad daylight and with a reduced festival slot, Helloween loses none of its impact. Precision and efficiency are very much present, as one might expect from a German institution, but the machinery never comes at the expense of emotion. Heroism, melancholy, humour, fury and sheer exuberance all coexist within these songs. The dual vocal approach works remarkably well, giving the eye two frontmen to follow across the vast stage, while the three-guitar attack ensures a constant stream of harmonized melodies and face-melting solos. More guitars simply means more opportunities for excess, and excess has always been one of Helloween's strengths.
If your tastes run toward minimalism and austerity, the second day of Hellfest's Main Stage is probably not designed with you in mind. Helloween offers the exact opposite. This is loud, colourful, over-the-top escapism delivered with complete sincerity and not an ounce of embarrassment. This is heavy metal, and everyone knows heavy metal is the law.
TesseracT @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, setlist)
Point Mort @ Warzone (Photo)
Queensrÿche @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Stoned Jesus @ Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Bloodywood @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, setlist)
Accept @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Sepultura @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, review, setlist)
Helloween @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
Opeth @ Main Stage 2 (Photos, review, setlist)
Iron Maiden @ Main Stage 1 (Photos, review, setlist)
DAY FOUR
Scour @ Temple Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Eyehategod @ Valley Stage (Photos, review)
Six Feet Under @ Altar Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Corrosion Of Conformity @ Valley Stage (Photos, review)
Possessed @ Altar Stage (Photos, setlist)
Agnostic Front @ Warzone - (Photos, setlist)
Acid Bath @Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Marduk @ Altar Stage (Photos, setlist)
Napalm Death @ Altar Stage (Photos, review, setlist)
Down @ Valley Stage (Photos, review, setlist)