Published: August 7, 2026 · 2:33 AM EDT
The Helloween and Gamma Ray guitarist expands the sound of Born With A Hammer, due September 18 through earMUSIC, following the earlier release of “Feeding The Beast.”
Kai Hansen has released “Welcome To Life,” the second single from his upcoming solo album Born With A Hammer, set for release on September 18, 2026, through earMUSIC.
Following the heavier approach of “Feeding The Beast,” the new track moves toward a more direct combination of heavy metal, punk and rock ’n’ roll, driven by guitars, tempo changes and melodic hooks.
Lyrically, “Welcome To Life” centers on accepting life as it is rather than concentrating on what may be missing. Hansen approaches the theme through a sense of movement and spontaneity, connecting the song’s message with the imagery of a road trip.
The official lyric video develops that idea visually through a Mustang travelling across a heightened, hell-inspired landscape, matching the changing pace and character of the song.
Another Side of Born With A Hammer
Born With A Hammer was produced by Eike Freese, Kai Hansen and Alexander Dietz.
The recordings feature Freese on guitar, Heaven Shall Burn bassist Alexander Dietz, Carcass drummer Dan Wilding and Induction guitarist Tim Hansen.
Across ten tracks, the album brings together heavy metal, punk attitude, hard rock and melodic elements, extending Hansen’s work beyond the musical identity associated with his long history in Helloween and Gamma Ray.
Rockum previously covered the beginning of this solo chapter when Kai Hansen announced Born With A Hammer and released the first single, “Feeding The Beast” in June 2026.
While “Feeding The Beast” introduced the heavier side of the record, “Welcome To Life” presents a more immediate and less restrained direction.
Kai Hansen’s Solo Return
Hansen remains one of the central figures in the development of European power metal.
As a co-founder of Helloween and later founder of Gamma Ray, his songwriting, guitar work and vocals became closely associated with the genre’s development from the 1980s onward.
In recent years, Hansen has again performed internationally with Helloween following the expansion of the band’s lineup and reunion era.
Born With A Hammer, however, returns the focus to his own material and a musical setting separate from those established bands.
Born With A Hammer Track Listing
“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 Formats
The album will be released in the following formats:
CD Digipak
Black 180g Gatefold LP
Limited 180g Picture Disc LP
Through “Welcome To Life,” Hansen continues to define Born With A Hammer as a project connected to his heavy metal history without simply reproducing the sound of Helloween or Gamma Ray. Together with “Feeding The Beast,” the first two tracks reveal contrasting sides of an album built around his own songwriting and musical identity.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Watch Kai Hansen’s official lyric video for “Welcome To Life” below:
