Editing Helloween (section)

=== Line-up changes (2002–2004) ===
2000 saw the release of ''[[The Dark Ride]]'', a more experimental and darker album than their previous releases. It came complete with downtuned guitars and a gruffer singing style from Deris. Immediately following the tour, Helloween parted ways with guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch.<ref name=MRmarkus /> One version of events states that Weikath, Deris and Grosskopf felt that Kusch and Grapow, in particular, were spending more time on and paying more attention to their new side-project, [[Masterplan (band)|Masterplan]] (Grapow's output on Helloween albums had dropped to barely one song per album by that point); since the others believed that Kusch and Grapow were not one hundred percent dedicated to Helloween, they were dismissed.

They were replaced by guitarist [[Sascha Gerstner]] (ex-[[Freedom Call]], Neumond) and drummer [[Mark Cross (musician)|Mark Cross]] (ex-[[Metalium]], [[Kingdom Come (German band)|Kingdom Come]], [[At Vance]], [[Firewind]]), culminating with the recording of another studio album, titled ''[[Rabbit Don't Come Easy]]'', in 2003. The band met Gerstner via a recommendation by producer [[Charlie Bauerfeind]]. According to Grosskopf, one day he was recording something with Freedom Call "and later on we called him up and he went to first meet Weiki because it was very important that Weiki finds a player that he can play with and also communicate and understand. [...] So we got him on the island where we recorded and let him hang out with us a little and then he decided 'Good, let's go'."<ref name=MRmarkus /> Later in 2012, on an interview with Metal Shock Finland's Chief Editor, Mohsen Fayyazi, Grapow stated:

{{cquote|I felt very secure in Helloween. In the middle of the tour I said something to Michael and Markus and I said my opinion about something. I wanted to make something the best for the band and I think they misunderstood me, like I wanted to be leader. I was telling the truth and that's how I am... It was a great time in Helloween... but I am happy when I left the band after Dark Ride because it's one of my favourite albums, it changed my life totally.}}<ref>{{cite news|title=MASTERPLAN's Roland Grapow – "I Think HELLOWEEN Would Be Much Bigger If They Would Continue with the Style of Keepers Albums"; New Audio Interview Online|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/193811|access-date=16 November 2012|newspaper=BW&BK|date=15 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Interview With MASTERPLAN Mainman And Ex-HELLOWEEN Roland Grapow|url=http://metalshockfinland.com/2012/11/15/interview-with-masterplan-mainman-and-ex-helloween-roland-grapow/|last=Fayyazi|first=Mohsen|date=15 November 2012|publisher=Metal Shock Finland|access-date=8 May 2013}}</ref>

Cross could not finish the album due to [[EBV infectious mononucleosis|mononucleosis]], completing only two tracks; the drum tracks were completed by [[Motörhead]]'s [[Mikkey Dee]]. [[Stefan Schwarzmann]], former drummer of [[Running Wild (band)|Running Wild]] and [[Accept (band)|Accept]] would shortly thereafter take over the drumming duties. Despite a somewhat tepid response to the album, Helloween nonetheless completed a successful world tour, highlighted by the return of classic songs such as "Starlight", "Murderer", and "Keeper of the Seven Keys" to the setlist. Additionally, the band toured the United States for the first time since 1989, playing to sold-out crowds at nearly every venue.