Alcatraz Line up: 2011, 2018

Many years have passed since German power metallers Helloween blew us away with the spine-breaking speed metal anthem ‘Ride the Sky’. Hansen concentrated on guitar duties when Michael Kiske joined in 1986 and the blonde nightingale mans the mic on both ‘Keeper of the Seven Keys’ albums, which were their greatest commercial successes. Then Hansen left and Kiske got fired. Record sales dwindled but eventually they got back on track with new lead singer Andy Deris, albeit with a more melodic sound than before. Meanwhile Kiske appeared lost to metal and Hansen was doing great with Gamma Ray. For the longest time a reunion wasn’t in the cards but the first sign of a thaw came in 2011 when Hansen and Kiske formed Unisonic. And then Gamma Ray embarked on a world tour with Helloween, Kiske and Weikath reconciled and the rest is history. A history they will be celebrating at the Alcatraz prison grounds with a selection of their greatest hits and special guests on stage. The perfect climax to this year’s edition of Alcatraz Metal Fest!