My God-Given Right is the upcoming fifteenth studio album by German power metal band Helloween. It will be released on May 29th, 2015.[1] It marks the first time the band releases five studio albums with the same line-up.
It is their seventh consecutive album produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, and their first album released under the label Nuclear Blast since 2003's Rabbit Don't Come Easy.[2]
Production and marketing
In October 2014, the band announced they were working on a new album for a May 2015 release, with Charlie Bauerfeind producing, to be recorded at Mi Sueño Studio on Tenerife.[2] On February 26, 2015, the band released the name of the album, as well as the May 29th, 2015 release date.[1] According to guitarist and founder Michael Weikath, there was no particular reason for the change of labels other than "plain business".[3]
In April 17, 2015, "Battle's Won" was released as the first single of the album, premiered on Team Rock Radio UK tonight on the Metal Hammer Magazine Show.[4] Days later, Nuclear Blast USA had the premiere of the second single "Lost In America". This song, along with "Battle's Won" were available for instant download only with the album pre-order in iTunes.[5]
Concept, composition and lyrical themes
The artwork of the album was once again created by Martin Häusler and will also be available as a 3D lenticular print, visible without 3D glasses.[1] Vocalist Andi Deris remarked that the cover differs from previous covers because it features little color variation.[6] According to Häusler, they "tried to build a world of ideas, keeping the 'classic Helloween' elements, like the pumpkins on the one hand and a complete new look on the other. [...] A first inspiration came from the album title, My God-Given Right', and some of the song titles, like "Swing Of A Fallen World", "Lost In America", "Battle's Won", etc. During my research, I stumbled upon the blockbuster Day After Tomorrow and the idea of just leaving the world to the 'pumpkins' was born."[1] Deris later explained that the cover reflected Häusler interpretation of the album title, as he understood the name as a reference to a rebellion or something like that. However, the real inspiration for the title (which is also the title of a song) came from words from his father:[6]
| “ |
'My God-Given Right' was actually from my father telling me on finishing school and I did not know what to do with my life. You have a big question mark over your head, what should you do? I definitely had that dream of making music like so many kids have, but I was very fortunate to have a father who completely backed me up. He said 'you're my only son – if I see you happy, you make me happy and it's your God-given right to do what you want with your life, or at least give it a try. And whatever you do, I'm behind you.' And my own son last year was more or less asking me the same question, so it went back to the days with my father. I told my son what his Grandfather told me and I thought it's a beautiful title for a song. |
” |
Weikath said the album will be "just good old classic heavy metal the way it's supposed to be".[3] He added: "[The album] it's more open to the public. I wouldn't say commercial, it's more friendly. That was also what Charlie wanted to do, it's typical of '80s Helloween and modern Helloween at the same time. We didn't want to worry too much about concepts and what to do, and just be the ones that we are. We just wanted to do what we stand for, what we're known for. And that works out very very good I think."[3] He also said the album would be either "one of the best-sold albums or also one of the most criticized by the syndicate side of fans that are there".[3]
When asked about the lyrical themes in the album, compared to the World issues covered in songs from the previous album Straight Out of Hell, Deris explained that the band didn't want a pessimist album to mark their 30th anniversary, but cited songs such as "Swing of a Fallen World" and "You, Still of War" as examples of tracks that stay out of the "Happy Happy Helloween" spectrum. Also according to him, the songs go through the members' lives. "Lost in America" was inspired by a flight in which the band was. The pilot eventually announced something was wrong with the airplane and they would need to fly back to the airport, since they didn't even know where they were - they were "lost in America".[6]
Track listing
Regular Album
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| 1. |
"Heroes" | |
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| 2. |
"Battle's Won" | Weikath |
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| 3. |
"My God-Given Right" | |
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| 4. |
"Stay Crazy" | |
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| 5. |
"Lost in America" | Deris |
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| 6. |
"Russian Roulé" | |
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| 7. |
"The Swing of a Fallen World" | |
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| 8. |
"Like Everybody Else" | |
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| 9. |
"Creatures in Heaven" | Weikath |
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| 10. |
"If God Loves Rock 'n' Roll" | |
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| 11. |
"Living on the Edge" | Grosskopf |
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| 12. |
"Claws" | Weikath |
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| 13. |
"You, Still of War" | |
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| 14. |
"I Wish I Were There" | |
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| 15. |
"Wicked Game" | |
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| 14. |
"I Wish I Were There" | |
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| 15. |
"Wicked Game" | |
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| 16. |
"Free World" | Grosskopf |
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| 1. |
"I Wish I Were There" | |
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| 2. |
"Wicked Game" | |
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| 3. |
"Nightmare" | |
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| 4. |
"More Than a Lifetime" | |
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Personnel
- Production
References
External links
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| | | | Studio albums | |
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| | Extended plays | |
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| | Live albums | |
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| | Compilations | |
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| | Singles | |
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| | Videos | |
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| | Associated acts | |
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| | Related articles | |
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