Conversation so far:
How did Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske's departures effect the band Helloween?
The remaining members continued on but ran into label problems with Noise, and after litigation kept them from touring and releasing new material, they were eventually released from their contract.
Did the musical direction of Helloween change after Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske left?
Helloween ventured into new territory.
What kind of new territory did the band Helloween go into?
Helloween ventured into new territory, eschewing its signature double-guitar harmonies for synthesizers, horns, acoustic guitars, a children's chorus, country music, and swing.
How did Helloween's fans react to their new direction?
As with the previous album, Chameleon failed commercially and critically.
Did the failure of the album Chameleon make the band Helloween return to their roots?
Tensions within Helloween worsened, and the band split into three factions.

Question: So the departures hurt them artistically?
Self-contained rewrite: So Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske's departures from Helloween hurt them artistically?