Helloween / Eventim Apollo / London

Oct 24

Oct 24 Helloween / Eventim Apollo / London

German power metal legends Helloween are currently winding their way around Europe on their 40thanniversary tour. With only one UK date at the Eventim Apollo in London, this was one show we were not going to miss !

Heading into the iconic venue, we headed for the front for tonight’s support, Beast in Black. Formed in Helsink Finland by guitarist/songwriter Anton Kabanen in 2015, the Finnish heavy metaller’s deliver a blend of power metal, 80s pop, and electronic music.

Beast in Black are Anton Kabanen (guitars, backing vocals, keyboards), Mate Molnar (bass, backing vocals), Yannis Papadopoulos (lead vocals) and Atte Palokangas (drums).

Well known for their energetic live performances, and the iconic soaring vocals from singer Yannis Papadopoulos. They released their debut album “Berserker” in 2017, “From Hell with Love” in 2019 and “Dark Connection” in 2021. A new album is in works for release in 2026.

Tonight they delivered a full hour set and an almost full house was present for the experience. Opening with the flamboyant Power of the Beast the scene was set from the opening. Soaring guitar riffs, pounding drums and those incredible vocals. Yannis has a wide range from A1-E♭6 and can deliver long sustained top notes. The clarity and precision of his tone is impressive and perfe ct for blasing out anthems, such as Blood Of A Lion and Blind And Frozen.

Great showmen, they prowl round the stage, pulling shapes and posing for the fans and cameras, the performance is worthy of headlining ! Highlight for me was a stunning delivery of the classic One Night In Tokyo which had the crowd screaming along.

The set closes with the iconic No Surrender which brings the house down. We won’t have long to wait for more form Beast in Black with a busy 2026 ahead, with a new fourth planned for release and a return to the UK on their headline tour (with Sonata Arctica as support) later in the year. Watch this space !

Setlist

Power of the Beast

Hardcore

From Hell With Love

Blood of a Lion

Cry Out for a Hero

Sweet True Lies

Enter the Behelit

Beast in Black

Die by the Blade

One Night in Tokyo

Blind and Frozen

No Surrender

Phew ! We needed a break after this. A large black cloth decends emblazoned with the Helloween logo, while the stage crew swap out the equipment ready for the headliners.

Helloween are a power metal band formed in 1984 in Hamburg, Germany from members of bands Iron Fist, Gentry, Second Hell and Powerfool. The band’s lineup currently is Michael Weikath (guitar & backing vocals), Markus Grosskopf (bass & backing vocals), Kai Hansen (vocals), Michael Kiske (vocals), Andi Deris (vocals), Sascha Gerstner (guitar & backing vocals) and Daniel Löble (drums).

Over the course of the intervening 40 years, Helloween have released 17 albums, from 1985’s debut release “Walls of Jericho” to 2025’s “Giants & Monsters”.

The lights dim, the audience pause in anticipation…. And go wild as the black drape falls to the floor and the lights and sound burst forth. Helloween hiut the stage with energy and piledrive right into March of Timefrom the classic album “Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 2".

Now fronted by both vocalists Andri Deris and Michael Kiske, live on stage is where Helloween belong, as they bounce off each other so well, adding a new dimension of range and entertainment to the set. We stay on the "Keeper Of The Seven Keys" train with King For A 1000 Years.

The stage design is magnificent, with a large raised platform along the rear of the stage, with video screens along its walls. Behind the drumset a large HiRes video wall, projects stunning visuals. And at various points through the set the hooded figure of the Keeper himself would appear to address the audience.

Along with the classic hits, newer material got an airing as well, with Thius is Tokyo next from 2025’s “Giants & Monsters.

Mid set we were entertained by a three song acoustic section starting with Pink Bubbles Go Ape, followed by In The Middle Of A Heartbeat and finally A Tale That Wasn't Right, which became more electric as it developed, bridging us back into the main set smoothly.

The mix of classic and new continued with new track Universe (Gravity For Hearts) sandwiched between old school favourites Halloween and I Want Out. As the set drew to a close, I really enjoyed Eagle Fly Free(from 1988’s Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II”) and A Little Is a Little Too Much from 2025’s “Giants & Monsters”.

The Eventim Apollo was rammed, and so hot. The crowd were buzzing throughout, and it was great to see a good mix, of long term hardcore fans as well as never followers, all enjoying the performance. Power metal may not be for everyone, but there’s no denying how uplifting and evocative it can be, packed with energy and emotion.

An incredible night, with over an hour from Beast in Black it was like seeing two headliners for the price of one, and they both delivered….. and then some. It’s hard to believe Helloween have been going for 40 years. They sounded as fresh and polished tonight as ever, and here’s to many more night s like this in future !

Setlist

March of Time

The King for a 1000 Years

Future World (With Gorgar Intro)

This Is Tokyo

We Burn

Twilight of the Gods

Ride the Sky

Into the Sun

Hey Lord!

Universe (Gravity for Hearts)

Hell Was Made in Heaven