Andi Deris – Helloween

As it was for me with the likes of HammerFall and Blind Guardian, Helloween were one of the first power metal bands I was ever introduced to. It wasn’t long before the German metallers became a staple of mine among a growing list of my favourite bands, and helped to spark a passion for this subgenre that continues strong into this day. Staking claim to a 31 year career, having formed in 1984, the band soon released their debut ‘Walls of Jericho’ a year later, before the seminal two-part ‘Keeper of the Seven Keys’ saga in ’87 and ’88 respectively. With albums like ‘Master of the Rings’ (1994) and ‘The Dark Ride’ (2000), then new frontman Andreas “Andi” Deris brought Helloween into a new era.

Fast forward to 2015, Helloween gear up for the release of ‘My God-Given Right’ (out today); their fifteenth studio album. With their second, and now longest serving frontman, Andi Deris, leading the charge, and a wealth of influential, timeless material under their belt, I recently had the absolute pleasure and honour to interview Andi on behalf of Metal Obsession in the lead up to the release of ‘My God-Given Right’, and the exciting news that they will be touring Australia again this October!

After exchanging pleasantries and laughing over the combined shit weather in Australia and Germany, we spoke first about ‘My God-Given Right’: “It’s a follow up to the last album,” Andi began. ‘A bit more happy Helloween, but on that note, we have taken bit more of an excursion into the darker side, I would say. Songs like the “The Swing of a Fallen World”. It has a bit more of ‘The Dark Ride’ kind of style. Soundwise, we tried to connect it a bit more to the ’80s. I would say it builds some very important bridges. The guitars are a bit more aggressive, a bit more thinner, and the drums are a bit fatter. So it’s a little bit of an excursion through that ’80s sound. Typical Helloween fans will love to hear that there’s some really funny shit on it; definitely happy Helloween with sing-along tunes!”

With 2015 marking three decades for the band, I asked Andi how he felt about the anniversary, and how it connects to ‘My God-Given Right’. “Because it was 30 years of Helloween, it was so important to try and do a mixture [on the album], where you actually witness all three decades of metal. It’s something that you plan, but at the end of the day, you never know if it’ll work out. I personally think it worked out fantastically — not only because we have written some great songs here — but also because we found a producer [Charlie Bauerfeind] who could bring in that feeling of 2015. It is not very easy to actually make you feel like you’re in the ’80s and still enjoying a 2015 sound. The songs themselves, I’m very proud of it, and I love listening to the album. I think it should hit the nerve of the people who expect a 30 year anniversary album. I personally would expect an album which leads me through three decades of metal, and I think that’s exactly taking place here.”

I pondered whether he felt the record both paid homage to the band and expanded upon their sound, both past and present: “I hope so,” he mused. “I tend to write more into the modern directions because I’m not caught in the ’80s with my favourite bands, which I still love to listen to, but I always keep my ears open to new stuff. Way back in time, there was a formula that you followed concerning arrangements. Nowadays you are allowed to experiment a little bit more when it comes down to it, which gives the people the feeling you are not caught in time but you can still evolve, and without actually betraying your own style. So this was a very nice thing.” He then offered a piece of Deris-wisdom concerning up and coming bands. “Keep your ears open because the new bands are always evolving, and they can influence your style as well.”

‘My God-Given Right’ out now via Nuclear Blast Records

Having joined the band in 1994, Andi Deris now marks Helloween’s longest serving frontman, following the departure of original vocalist Michael Kiske in 1993. Having sung and performed with Helloween for over two decades now, I asked Andi how it has been for him watching the band grow and evolve over the years. “I look at it as an adventure trip,” Andi started, “which I’m still in the middle of. Hopefully we have another ten, fifteen, maybe even twenty years. When I look back at my favourite idols, they are in their mid 60’s still standing on stage. It seems like with the metalheads, they could last forever! [laughs] I could easily see us on stage in another 15 years or so; still on the journey. The whole story so far has evolved kind of naturally. We learned it’s definitely important to always listen to the fans so when you do do something wrong, or you wondered why this album or that song wasn’t received the way you expected it to be, you have a chance to read the reasons why. I just say don’t close your ears, don’t close your eyes; listen to the people. It sometimes hurts, but you can always learn. This is still a journey, we’re still in it, and I don’t want to feel like I’m standing still. It’s much healthier if we reconsider the great recording techniques we went through in the ’80s, and then combine that with what we have now. I think that’s rather a step forward.”

When talking of the lyrical themes of the album, he had some interesting things to add! “There are some stupid, nice stories from the tour.” Andi noted with amusement. “If you look at a song called “Lost in America”, this is a true story. Because these were the very words of the captain. After two and a half hours of flight from Berlin to Sao Paulo, it was actually his announcement: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, as you may have realised, we are not very high.’ As a matter of fact, it was true, everybody was wondering. You could still count the cows down there! We were flying super low. He then said, ‘While the gauges are not working correctly, we don’t know exactly where we are. We are kind of lost here in America.’ And I thought, ‘what a great title!'” [laughs]

In October, Helloween will be hitting Australian shores for the first time since their ‘Hellish Rock’ world tour in 2007. Though official plans were still in the works at the time of the interview, Andi was nevertheless still quite excited to share his thoughts about coming down. “Yeah, finally! I just hope we have a chance to see all of Australia because on the last Australia tour there was only three shows. For me, it should be complete luxury, because I’m always happy to see different countries and cities. I desperately would love to see the Perth coast side [Perth fans, you’ve been granted your wish here!]. Maybe even go and do some [country] tours too. Go into the outback and do the typical, cliche tourist stuff, like Ayers Rock, but that I would definitely like to see! I have never had a chance. I mean, I have seen it, but from the plane!” [laughs]

And with that, we wrapped up what was a great interview.

Be sure to grab your copy of ‘My God-Given Right’, out now via Nuclear Blast Records (EU)!

Thanks to Metropolis Touring and Tombowler, you can catch Helloween live in Australia on the dates below. TICKETS ON SALE Monday 1st June at 9:00am via Metropolis Touring.

Wednesday 14th October – Melbourne, 170 Russell

Friday 16th October – Sydney, Metro Theatre

Saturday 17th October – Brisbane, Max Watt’s

Monday 19th October – Adelaide, The Gov

Tuesday 20th October – Perth, Capitol

*VIP Meet & Greet Packages available at all shows.

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