Although he’s been behind the drum kit for veteran German power metal band Helloween since 2005 when he replaced former Accept drummer Stefan Schwarzmann, Swiss-born Dani Loble is still considered The New Guy. And although Helloween brought back original guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske, the singer who performed on the band’s most renowned albums Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part 1 and Part 2, for their massively successful Pumpkins United 2017-18 tour after both had departed the group nearly three decades ago, Loble technically remains the newest member.
And that’s just fine with him. Because Loble’s influence is stamped all over Helloween’s six most recent studio albums and two live DVD/CD packages. That includes the group’s self-titled 16th studio album that dropped June 18 on Nuclear Blast Records.
Armed with a flurry of double bass drum fury always expected from Helloween, the latest album also features catchy choruses sure to incite exuberant jumping in place from European and Latin American fans in particular such as “Best Time” and “Indestructible.” There are all-out rockers in opener “Out For the Glory” and “Robot King,” another epic 12-minute staple in first single “Skyfall” (see video below), and the Spotify version features two bonus songs: “Golden Times” and “Save My Hide.” Some songs feature the three vocalists sharing parts, while Deris and Kiske sing individually on others, making this the most diverse record Helloween has ever recorded.
In addition to the influence and presence of original guitarist Michael Weikath and bassist Markus Grosskopf, longstanding vocalist Andi Deris, Loble and guitarist Sascha Gerstner, the return of Hansen and Kiske answers the prayers of the overwhelming majority of the Helloween universe clamoring for a new album featuring these seven members. Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward handle co-production duties on the record.
Loble, who has also exhaustingly done his part to tastefully carry on the legacy of the late Ingo Schwichtenberg while bringing his own ideas to the group over those 16 1/2 years, and Helloween plan to tour the world over the next couple of years once pandemic restrictions are evaluated in every city and country and logistics are sorted out. The group already has an early 2022 European trek with Hammerfall scheduled. Will San Antonio eventually be on the map?
Loble graciously discussed these topics and more with ATM on Thursday. Click the video box at the bottom to watch the entire conversation (all photos by Jay Nanda / Alamo True Metal).
