Long-running German power metallers
HELLOWEEN have teamed up with
Sony Music in co-operation with
SPV Records, to release the band's upcoming albums. The group's long awaited
"Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary" album will be made available on the following dates:
Dec. 16 – Japan, Southeast Asia (JVC/Victor)
Jan. 29 - Europe (Sony/SPV)
A U.S. release date has yet to be announced.
The artwork, which can be viewed below, was once again created by
Martin Haeusler, who had previously worked with
HELLOWEEN on the
"The Legacy" and the
"Gambling With The Devil" releases.
The photo shoot for the album packaging took place at a salt lake near Los Angeles and a detailed making-of story will be featured on the band's official web site soon.
"Unarmed" will be released in a limited-edition version with a very special digipack, including a 30-minute making-of DVD, containing interviews and studio footage. It will also be made available as a double vinyl.
The band says, "
'Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary' is a big 'thank-you' to all our fans, old and new, all over the world! Instead of putting together a regular greatest-hits compilation featuring our most successful tracks to celebrate this anniversary, we completely rearranged and re-recorded the greatest songs and melodies of our career. Together with our tried and tested producer,
Charlie Bauerfeind, we invited many great musicians to guest on this special record, with the doubtless highlight of having the 70-piece
Prague Symphonic Orchestra performing 'The Keeper's Trilogy', a 17-minute medley consisting of the songs
'Halloween',
'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' and
'The King for A 1000 Years' — goose bumps guaranteed!
"We aren't one of those bands who like to celebrate themselves, we just want to say 'thank you' in our own special way to all of you who have followed us through the past 25 years. To us, this album stands for an official celebration.
"It was a big challenge and great experience and we had a lot of fun recording our most important tracks in an entirely new 'outfit' and with new arrangements. We hope you like them!
"Unarmed - Best Of 25th Anniversary" will feature the following tracks:
01.
Dr. Stein02.
Future World03.
If I Could Fly04.
Where The Rain Grows05.
The Keeper's Trilogy06.
Eagle Fly Free07.
Perfect Gentleman08.
Forever & One09.
I Want Out10.
Falling To Pieces11.
A Tale That Wasn't Right
