Helloween

Helloween is widely credited as the 'fathers of power metal,' a distinction earned by bridging the gap between the raw speed of early thrash and the melodic grandiosity of Iron Maiden. Formed in Hamburg in 1984, their early work on 'Walls of Jericho' leaned into aggressive speed metal, but the recruitment of Michael Kiske for the 'Keeper of the Seven Keys' albums transformed them into a global force.

These albums established the genre's tropes: high-pitched vocals, fantasy-themed lyrics, and dual-guitar harmonies. Despite numerous lineup shifts, including the long tenure of Andi Deris and the eventual 2017 'Pumpkins United' reunion, the band has maintained a consistent identity centered on Michael Weikath's songwriting and Markus Grosskopf's prominent bass work. Their influence is foundational for bands like Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, and DragonForce. Critically, they are respected for their technical proficiency and their ability to pivot from dark, conceptual pieces to lighthearted, pop-influenced metal without losing their core audience.