German power metal icons Helloween have announced their partnership with Sony Music and SPV Records, to release Unarmed – Best Of 25th Anniversary. The album will be made released on Dec. 16 in Japan, Southeast Asia (JVC/Victor) and Jan. 29 in Europe (Sony/SPV). The U.S. release date has yet to be announced.

The artwork (see above) was created by Martin Haeusler, who had previously worked with Helloween on the The Legacy and the Gambling With The Devil releases.

Unarmed will be released in a limited-edition version with a very special digipack, including a 30-minute making-of DVD, containing interviews and studio footage. It will also be made available as a double vinyl.

Here’s the quote we received from the band:

“Unarmed – Best Of 25th Anniversary is a big ‘thank-you’ to all our fans, old and new, all over the world! Instead of putting together a regular greatest-hits compilation featuring our most successful tracks to celebrate this anniversary, we completely rearranged and re-recorded the greatest songs and melodies of our career. Together with our tried and tested producer, Charlie Bauerfeind, we invited many great musicians to guest on this special record, with the doubtless highlight of having the 70-piece Prague Symphonic Orchestra performing ‘The Keeper’s Trilogy’, a 17-minute medley consisting of the songs ‘Halloween’, ‘Keeper Of The Seven Keys’ and ‘The King for A 1000 Years’ — goose bumps guaranteed!

“We aren’t one of those bands who like to celebrate themselves, we just want to say ‘thank you’ in our own special way to all of you who have followed us through the past 25 years. To us, this album stands for an official celebration.

“It was a big challenge and great experience and we had a lot of fun recording our most important tracks in an entirely new ‘outfit’ and with new arrangements. We hope you like them!”

Unarmed – Best Of 25th Anniversary will feature the following tracks:

01. Dr. Stein
02. Future World
03. If I Could Fly
04. Where The Rain Grows
05. The Keeper’s Trilogy
06. Eagle Fly Free
07. Perfect Gentleman
08. Forever & One
09. I Want Out
10. Falling To Pieces
11. A Tale That Wasn’t Right