Heavy metal icon Kai Hansen has released “Welcome To Life,” the second single from his upcoming solo album, Born With A Hammer, arriving September 18 via earMUSIC.
Following first single “Feeding The Beast,” the new track offers another glimpse into the stylistic range of the record. Driving guitars, sharp tempo changes and melodic hooks collide in a direct combination of heavy metal, punk and rock ’n’ roll.
As the co-founder of Helloween and founder of Gamma Ray, Hansen has played a fundamental role in shaping European heavy metal and, in particular, the development of power metal. With “Welcome To Life,” he channels that history into a looser and more spontaneous side of his songwriting.
Lyrically, the song focuses on accepting life for what it is, rather than dwelling on what is missing, and making the most of what you have. That outlook is paired with Hansen’s unmistakable guitar work and a road-trip sense of freedom.
The accompanying official lyric video takes the concept literally, following a Mustang racing through a heightened, hell-tinged landscape as the imagery shifts alongside the song’s changing dynamics.
Born With A Hammer Arrives September 18
Born With A Hammer was produced by Eike Freese, Kai Hansen and Alexander Dietz.
For the sessions, Hansen assembled a lineup featuring Freese on guitar, Heaven Shall Burn’s Alexander Dietz on bass, Carcass drummer Dan Wilding and Induction guitarist Tim Hansen.
Across its 10 tracks, the album brings together traditional heavy metal, punk attitude, hard rock energy and Hansen’s trademark melodic approach. While “Feeding The Beast” introduced the heavier side of the record, “Welcome To Life” showcases its more immediate and carefree personality.
The album arrives following the worldwide success of Helloween’s reunion era and the band’s extensive international touring, with Hansen once again turning his attention toward his own musical vision.
Born With A Hammer Tracklist
- Feeding The Beast
- Welcome To Life
- Don’t Care
- Wait And See
- Born With A Hammer
- I.D.G.A.F.
- End Of The Road
- Triple Trouble
- Invaders
- Wonderland
Born With A Hammer will be released September 18 via earMUSIC as a CD digipak, 180g black gatefold LP and limited 180g picture disc LP. Pre-order