Review Summary: Giants that could be gods
Having set a new standard for band reunions to follow with their 2021 self-titled album, Giants & Monsters could be seen as a victory lap for Helloween. While this installment repeats its predecessors’ tropes with a similar emphasis on extravagantly uplifting power metal, the formula having already been proven leads to a slightly scaled back execution in comparison. Along with the overall runtime adjusting from a hour and change to a leaner fifty minutes, something like “Giants On The Run” doesn’t quite hit the same epic flair as something like “Out For The Glory” even with its neoclassical tinges and tempo jumps.
The songwriting reflects a greater sense of ease, still showing off a mix of nods to the band’s varying eras but leaning more on AOR sensibilities. This is most blatant on “A Little Is A Little Too Much” and “This Is Tokyo,” both tracks offering breezy pacing with the former’s chorus coming out to be the most infectious earworm, while “Into The Sun” is a solid exercise of Queen-inspired balladry. Elsewhere, “Savior Of The World” and “We Can Be Gods” are the sort of feel-good high-flying anthems that only Kai Hansen and Michael Weikath can put together. “Hand of God” is another standout whose electro tinges and mid-tempo building chorus remind one of 2000’s The Dark Ride, a neat twist considering it was composed by Sascha Gerstner.
Fortunately, the band’s Pumpkins United configuration continues to boast a balanced chemistry throughout. The songs are still largely driven by Andi Deris and Michael Kiske’s triumphant trade-offs and layers though the contrasts between them don’t feel quite as dramatic this time around, still sounding distinct but perhaps more integrated. The guitarists also present a volley of riffs and leads that keep from feeling overstuffed, especially when keyboards play a role in shaping several songs’ melodies. It does the heart good to see the guys still putting their egos aside for the presentation’s benefit, even if it could call for a little more showboating.
Giants & Monsters was never going to have the same head-turning aura as Helloween 2021, but is ultimately keeps the momentum going quite nicely. While the more easygoing approach seen here could be seen as a step back from its predecessor’s grandiosity, the performances and songwriting are tight enough to indicate that it may have been the right call to avoid feeling too much of a retread. It’s easy to imagine this lineup being the one that the band keeps for the rest of their career and I still find myself wishing more of their peers would follow their example.
