Giants & Monsters, the newest entry in Helloween’s legendary catalog, stands tall.

It’s an album that proves this triumphant seven-piece outfit still has plenty of fire, ambition and melodic mastery. If you’ve been following the “Pumpkins United” lineup with Kiske, Deris and Hansen together, you already know there’s magic when these voices blend. This album doesn’t just revisit that energy; it spreads its wings wider, leans into power metal’s grandeur and occasionally flirts with something more adventurous.

The record starts with “Giants on the Run,” a suitably epic opener. It’s long, bold and sets the tone with thunderous drums, rich layered guitars and vocal power that hits you in the chest. It’s classic Helloween in that big-arena sense, but with modern polish and no filler, just momentum. “Savior of the World” follows, ramping up speed and soaring vocals.

“A Little Is a Little Too Much” veers closer to hard-rock territory, with catchy hooks, a hooky chorus and a lighter air. The stylistic contrast makes it engaging and shows the album isn’t afraid of shifts, moving between heavy riffs, melodic breakdowns and moments of levity. “We Can Be Gods” presses that mix of power and melody further. It’s one of those tracks that stick in your head after it’s over because its chorus blends aggression and soaring melody so satisfyingly.

“Into the Sun” slows things down without losing weight. It heads into ballad territory but keeps enough guitar grit, vocal dynamics and emotional heft to avoid drifting into schmaltz. “This Is Tokyo” is more playful, energetic and lively, with a swagger and local color lighting up its verses and chorus. “Universe (Gravity for Hearts)” stands out as one of the album’s grandest moments. At over eight minutes with multiple sections, harmonies and tempo changes, it’s the kind of ambitious power-metal epic fans hope for. It pays off with a significant emotional rise that makes the rest of the tracks feel even more potent.

“Hand of God” and “Under the Moonlight” may not reach the same heights in sheer scale, but they offer balance. They are melodic and a little more introspective, yet still heavy enough to remind you Helloween aren’t taking safe options. The closer, “Majestic,” lives up to its name. It’s regal and expansive, a fitting finale that packs in everything this band has refined: vocals, guitar harmonies, pacing and grandeur.

Production on Giants & Monsters is excellent. Each singer’s voice comes through clearly, and the guitars, drums and bass sound punchy and crisp. The mix balances all seven members, especially the three leads, in a way that elevates the ensemble rather than muddying it. The album flows well, with tempo changes, epic moments and power bursts. It’s long, but rarely feels bloated.

Giants & Monsters is an exhilarating ride through everything Helloween has become. It leans into their history while still pushing forward. For longtime fans, it’s proof that the band’s golden years are not behind them, but are still being written. For newcomers, it serves as a powerful gateway to power metal perfection. In a genre that sometimes grows dusty with expectation, Helloween deliver a vivid and bold record that reminds us why we love power metal in the first place.