Not many bands can lay claim to creating an entire genre, much less a movement that has continued to flourish for over four decades, but German heroes Helloween did exactly that. Combining the speed of thrash, the twin-guitar approach of NWOBHM, and the hymnal melodies of European folk music, Helloween paved their own path, creating a genre that would resonate for decades afterward: the mighty, dragon-slaying style known as power metal and every band that has raised a sword to honour and glory owes their life to this band, who are now celebrating 40 years of existence and still thriving.
 
To mark this momentous occasion, BMG is proud to present ’March Of Time (The Best Of 40 Years)‘, a storming, double-bass-led thrill ride through Helloween‘s triumphant history. Featuring 42 handpicked tracks from the early days to their staggeringly successful reunion, this massive compilation is the perfect companion on your epic quest to storm the ’Walls Of Jericho‘ and capture the ’Keeper Of The Seven Keys‘. It might even drag you ’Straight Out Of Hell‘ when you‘re done. 
 
Formed by Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf and Ingo Schwichtenberg, Helloween burst onto the scene in 1985 with their self-titled EP and quickly found fame as the leading lights of the German metal movement, setting new standards for melody and speed. Stepping down from the mic, guitarist Kai Hansen brought in 18-year-old Michael Kiske to front the band, and it wasn‘t long before they‘d created their first true classic. ’Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I‘ was stuffed to the gills with immortal anthems such as ’Future World‘ and ’I‘m Alive‘, but it was 1988‘s second installment that made them famous on both sides of the Atlantic. Bolstered by ’I Want Out‘ and the high-flying ’Eagle Fly Free‘, ’Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II‘ got them support slots with Iron Maiden, Ozzy and the Scorpions, but darker times loomed.
 
In 1989 Kai Hansen left the band to form Gamma Ray, and Helloween tried commercial rock for size with ’Pink Bubbles Go Ape‘. After 1993‘s divisive ’Chameleon‘, they parted ways with drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg, who would sadly pass away two years later. Michael Kiske left the fold soon after. Helloween had come to a crossroads, and in 1994 they barreled though it recruiting Pink Cream 69 vocalist Andi Deris and making a staggering return to form with ’Master Of The Rings‘, the beginning of a new golden age. The albums that followed – 1996‘s ’The Time Of The Oath‘, 1998‘s ’Better Than Raw‘, and 2000‘s brooding ’The Dark Ride‘ – inspired a whole new generation to form bands, resulting in the glorious second wave of European power metal.
 
The entry of guitarist Sascha Gerstner (2002) and drummer Dani Löble (2005) to replace the departing band members Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch marked the definitive end of the line-up carousel and formed the core unit that has lasted ever since. 
 
In 2016, Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske returned to the band to create a seven-member lineup for the Pumpkins United titled world tour, a celebration of their immense history. The tour became nothing less than a triumph and catapulted the band into new spheres: 69 Shows in 32 countries on three continents, selling out arenas and headlining the biggest festivals such as at Wacken, Rock Fest Barcelona or co-headlining Rock in Rio, their performances attracted more than one million fans and underpinned the status of Helloween.
 
It was such an incredible success, that the band entered the studio to create their monumental self-titled 16th studio album, an album that reached several No. 1 and top 10 positions all over the world. With no doubt, it proved to be the most important reunion in metal since Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith rejoined Iron Maiden.
 
With over 10 million albums sold, Helloween are one of Europe‘s most valuable exports, and they show no signs of slowing down. Featuring tracks from all 16 studio albums, ’March Of Time‘ is a magic book of epic tales waiting to unfold. All you have to do is follow the sign…

TETRARCH‘s tireless ascent to metal stardom has been palpable in the scene since their formation. Now, after four years of intensely focused growth and lead guitarist Diamond Rowe’s emergence as Jackson Guitars’ first female signature artist, the modern metal stars will release their trailblazing third album, The Ugly Side Of Me, on May 9, 2025 via Napalm Records. The album is available for pre-order today.

Featuring massive, needle-sharp production co-produced by Dave Otero, Diamond Rowe and Josh Fore, The Ugly Side Of Me boasts unrelenting brutality, catchiness and songwriting mastery. The band is poised to top the multi-millions of cross-platform streams and views of their addictive singles and high-energy videos, frequent playlisting via Spotify, Apple and others, mainstream top 40 Active Rock radio blitzes, attention from major media like Billboard, Revolver, Alternative Press, Guitar World, Kerrang! and Metal Hammer,and international tours supporting legendary artists Sevendust, Atreyu and beyond.

In celebration of today’s album announcement, the band just dropped the album’s second single, the anthemic “Never Again (Parasite)”, alongside a new music video. The standout track – which features the vocal debut of Diamond Rowe and follows buzzy first single “Live Not Fantasize” – carefully balances thick grooves and atmosphere with deep-cutting lyricism and the multi-faceted vocals of frontman Josh Fore.

TETRARCH offers about the track and video:
“We are so excited to finally announce the release of our upcoming record, entitled The Ugly Side of Me, as well as our second single, ‘Never Again (Parasite)’. ‘Never Again (Parasite)’ was such a fun song for us to write. It’s very moody and dark but lyrically extremely easy for anyone to relate to. It’s basically about losing trust in so many of the situations and people around you – while at the same time, isolating and losing a sense of self. It also kind of has a vibe of taking back what’s yours and saying ‘this won’t happen to me ever again’. I suppose you can look at it either way. This song shows a very different side of our band especially coming off of our last single ‘Live Not Fantasize’.

This is also the first time we have featured Diamond on vocals in a capacity other than just background textures and we are super stoked for everyone to hear her voice in this way.”

If there is any question as to whether a band can push the confines of metal and hard rock in to the future, TETRARCH are the answer. Combining energetic modern musical aggression and lyrical honesty with colossal choruses and unforgettable melodies, TETRARCH appeal to fans both in and outside of the metal scene, providing newcomers a gateway into heavy music.

TETRARCH’s Napalm Records debut, Unstable (2021), received massive critical acclaim. Its debut single, “I’m Not Right”, cracked the Mediabase Active Rock Top 30 and has garnered over 15 million combined cross-platform streams to date. Follow up single “You Never Listen” later went on to receive keen support from SiriusXM, HardDrive, Full Metal Jackie and many more of the country’s leading active rock outlets. 

Among its perfectly crafted 10 tracks, new album The Ugly Side Of Me cuts like 90s industrial-injected single “Live Not Fantasize” – which premiered via SiriusXM Liquid Metal upon its release alongside Diamond Rowe’s Jackson Guitars signature launch – thrill with intense electronic flourishes, quick riffage and dynamic, spine-tingling guitar solos. Tracks like album opener “Anything Like Myself” showcase the hypnotizing, crushing metallic brilliance of the band while flirting with Josh Fore’s intense screams and Ruben Limas’ punching drums, while the likes of “Best Of Luck” stand tall with the rhythmic basslines of Ryan “Dooms” Lerner and Rowe’s inventive riff artistry. Profound melodic bangers like “Erase” and “Cold” are injected with intricate guitar solos, while “Headspace” and “The Only Thing I’ve Got” thrust the vital, brooding elements of TETRARCH into the forefront. Each track succeeds with lyrical themes of facing our own darkest criticisms – embracing the healing notion that what we feel others may see as our worst traits actually define the greatest aspects of our individuality.

Metal is practically begging for its next wave of genre frontrunners, and with one listen it’s clear – TETRARCH lead the charge.