Into the Pit: Helloween drummer Dani Loble

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).

HELLOWEEN

Drummer Dani Loble performs during the Pumpkins United tour Sept. 8, 2018, at the historic Palladium in Hollywood, California (all photos by Jay Nanda / Alamo True Metal)

Into the Pit: Burning Witches

Having formed in 2015 in Switzerland, all-female quintet Burning Witches has accomplished more in six years of existence than some bands do in twice that span. But they’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. And they’re not coming across merely as a group attempting to empower young girls and adolescent women to shoot for their dreams, especially of the musical variety.

Burning Witches simply want to rock.

They’ve done so splendidly on their self-titled debut from 2017 and 2018’s Hexenhammer. Following the latter’s release, original members Romana Kalkuhl (guitars), Jeanine Grob (bass) and Lala Frischknecht (drums) found themselves without a vocalist. Enter current singer Laura Guldemond, whose presence helped spur 2020 follow-up Dance With the Devil to their first charting positions in Germany and the U.S. The Circle of Five EP and an acoustic sessions soon followed, paving the way for new second guitarist Larissa Ernst to join the fold.

Now with their circle solidified, Burning Witches is set to release fourth full-length The Witch of the North via Nuclear Blast Records on May 28. As was the case with the majority of their vinyl efforts, this record is produced by original singer/bassist Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer of German thrashers Destruction and features a steady dose of rockers, riffs and a ballad that put band members over the top when we discussed it today.

It also continues in Burning Witches’ tradition of closing its albums with a bonus-track cover song. This time, it’s a crunchy rendition of 1987 title track Hall of the Mountain King that pierces the ears. Burning Witches brought in Savatage guitarist Christopher Caffery (2019 ATM interview here) to revisit the solos for some extra oomph. Furthermore, the album’s cover artwork was done by Claudio Bergamin, who drew Judas Priest’s Firepower.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic derailed Burning Witches’ planned tour last year with another one of their prior guest cover musicians — Manowar co-founder and guitarist Ross “The Boss” Friedman — the ladies are gearing up to unleash their coven on the metal masses. Time will tell if the U.S., and San Antonio in particular, will receive a chance to witness the group in person.

To tide fans over until that time arrives, click on the new videos from the forthcoming album below, then watch today’s entire Alamo True Metal chat with Lala and Larissa.