Following their recently announced reunion with founder member Kai Hansen and former vocalist Michael Kiske, Helloween have talked exclusively to Zero Tolerance about their touring plans.
The details of the Pumpkins United World Tour 2017 / 2018 read like a dream for fans of power and melodic speed metal. More than just a reunion, this tour will see current pumpkins Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath, Andi Deris, Sascha Gerstner and Dani Löble joined by Michael Kiske, vocalist on the legendary Keeper Of The Seven Keys Pt1& Pt2 albums and founding guitarist Kai Hansen, who played on the Keeper… albums, as well as the essential Walls Of Jericho.
Currently there is only one date confirmed for the Pumpkins United tour – October 28, 2017 in Sao Paulo – but the tour is expected to make its way across Latin America, Europe, Asia and the US. Plans are for the expanded, united band lineup to perform almost three hours of the biggest hits from three decades of Helloween – and everyone involved sounds as excited about this venture as the fans are.
Speaking exclusively to Zero Tolerance, guitarist Michael Weikath commented, “We are all looking very much forward to a fun time with the ‘old’ and actual members of Helloween. We had already great laughs in our meetings. I think it will be wonderful, especially for the fans as I’ve got feedback that some fans even cried hearing about the Pumpkins United Tour. How touching and wonderful is that?”
Front men aren’t renowned for wanting to share their stage with anyone, but both Andi Deris and his predecessor Michael Kiske are both really looking forward to working together on this tour. Said Kiske, “Playing an original Helloween track with Unisonic [Kiske’s current band] was quite a flashback already, but rocking with the original lineup and Andi will be something really special. The time has come!” To which Andi Deris added, “I’m so much looking forward to playing Michi’s and my tunes together with him live on stage. It’s going to be absolutely exceptional.”
And, says bassist Markus Grosskopf, the set list will be replete with surprises: “There’ll for sure be songs that we haven’t played in a very long time or even ever before.”
