Pink Bubbles Go Ape is the fourth studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1991. It marked the departure of guitarist Kai Hansen, with Roland Grapow replacing him. It was also the band's first album released on EMI Records.
The album contains two singles, which are "Kids of the Century" and "Number One". "Kids of the Century" reached #56 in the United Kingdom. "Kids of the Century" single is also the first Helloween recording with a song written by bassist Markus Grosskopf: B-side "Shit and Lobster". The track "Heavy Metal Hamsters" (supposedly written about the band's former record company) was, according to Michael Weikath, never intended to be on the album, but rather on a B-side of a single.
Many disputes between the producer, bandmembers, management and the record company ensued. Weikath laid much of the blame at the feet of veteran Brit Metal producer Chris Tsangarides. Weikath said, âÂÂStraight away, I could tell things were going wrong. The show was being run by Michael and Ingo, and Chris simply didnâÂÂt like my songs. He couldnâÂÂt understand that certain cleverness they had.â Weikath wanted Tommy Hansen to produce the album.
Also, the band spent close to 400,000 pounds recording the new album. âÂÂThe whole situation was bad,â Kiske said in 2017. âÂÂWe spent a fortune in a studio in Denmark, but there was no inspiration.âÂÂ
Storm Thorgerson designed the Pink Bubbles Go ApeâÂÂs cover and the girl on that cover is his niece. Thorgerson also directed the promo-video for "Kids of the Century". It was shot at the Rainbow Theatre in London.
Helloween had left Noise Records and turned to EMI. After the album was released, a lawsuit stopped Helloween from touring for a year. In the spring of 1992 an agreement was reached, 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.
Helloween
Additional musicians
Production