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TRACKLIST:
01. Pink Bubbles Go Ape
02. Kids of the Century
03. Back on the Streets
04. Number One
05. Heavy Metal Hamsters
06. Goin’ Home
07. Someone’s Crying
08. Mankind
09. I’m Doin’ Fine, Crazy Man
10. The Chance
11. Your Turn
Recorded at PUK Studios in Gjerlev, Denmark, 1990
Mixed at Battery Studios in London, England
LINEUP:
-
- Michael Kiske – vocals
- Roland Grapow – guitar
- Michael Weikath – guitar
- Markus Grosskopf – bass
- Ingo Schwichtenberg – drums
Additional Musician:
- Pete Iversen & Phil Nicholas – Keyboards
CREDITS:
- Produced, Engineered and Mixed – Chris Tsangarides
- Sound Engineeing – Pete Iverson and Lars Laverson
- Additionial Engineering – Paul Wright
- Sleeve design and photography – Storm Thorgerson and Colin Chambers. Storm Thorgerson designed the Pink Bubbles Go Ape’s cover and the girl on that cover is his niece
- Photographer – Tony May
“Heavy Metal Hamsters” and “I’m Doin’ Fine, Crazy Man” – Recorded at Sound House Studio in Hamburg, Germany. Produced by Helloween, Engineered by Dirk Steffens and mixed by Chris Tsangarides
“Pink Bubbles Go Ape” is the fourth studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released on 11th March 1991. It marked a significant shift in the band’s style and tone, and is often remembered as one of their most divisive records . It was the first album released on EMI Records. With the departure of guitarist Kai Hansen and the arrival of Roland Grapow, the band embraced a more experimental style that blended melodic metal with hard rock and even pop influences. The album features playful, sometimes absurd themes—as hinted by its surreal title and cover—while still showcasing Michael Kiske’s powerful vocals and strong musicianship.
The album contains two singles, “Kids of the Century” and “Number One”.
“Kids of the Century” was released as a single on February 16, 1991.
Single Tracklist:
A1. Kids of the Century
B1. Blue Suede Shoes
B2. Shit and Lobster
B3. Exclusive Interview
Musically, “Kids of the Century” is driven by tight riffs, anthemic choruses, and Michael Kiske’s soaring, emotive vocals, delivering the message with both energy and urgency. It combines melodic power metal with a polished, almost arena-rock style. The lyrics focus on youth caught in a system that shapes and controls them—highlighting themes of conformity, lost identity, and societal pressure.
It is also the first Helloween recording with a song written by bassist Markus Grosskopf: “Shit and Lobster”. The Japanese version of the single contains an exclusive Helloween interview instead of “Shit and Lobster”.
“Kids of the Century” reached #56 in the United Kingdom.
Single Tracklist:
A1. Number One
B1. Les Hambourgeous Walkways
B2. You Run With The Pack
“Number One” is a mid-tempo, melodic track from Pink Bubbles Go Ape that leans more into hard rock and pop-metal than Helloween’s typical power metal roots. The song has a smooth, catchy feel with bright guitar riffs, layered vocals, and a laid-back groove. Lyrically, it’s about self-worth, confidence, and pushing through insecurity—encouraging the listener to believe in themselves and strive to be “number one.”
Helloween made a promo video for “Kids of the Century” at the Rainbow Theatre in London, directed by Storm Thorgerson, who also made the front cover of the album and the single.
After the album was released, a lawsuit stopped Helloween from touring for a year. In the spring of 1992 an agreement was done, and they could finally play on a short European Tour starting in Hamburg 30 April 1992, and in the autumn they also played some shows in Japan.