King_Of_Terrors
01-08-2006, 12:44 AM
Other write-ups I have done in the past:
Vision Divine (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426466)
Darkthrone (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419898)
Candlemass (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=417419)
Hammerfall (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416618)
Stratovarius (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=414815)
Ensiferum (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?)
Symphony X (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370818)
Porcupine Tree (Do Not Bump) (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370687)
Brief History:
Helloween have been around for quite some time. They have released numerous albums, and have gone through stages of speed metal, power metal, and just plain metal. The lyrical themes are usually based on metal, tales/legends, humor, morality, and other things of the sort.
Current Members:
Andi Deris - Vocals
Michael Weikath - Guitar
Sascha Gerstner - Guitar
Markus Grosskopt - Guitar
Dani Loeble - Drums
Past Members:
Kai Hansen - Vocals (beginning-1986) - Guitars (beginning-1988)
Michael "Michi" Kiske - Vocals (1987-1993)
Roland Grapow - Guitars (1988-2001)
Ingo Schwichtenberg - Drums (beginning-1993)
Ulrich "Uli" Kusch - Drums (1994-2001)
Mark Cross - Drums (2001-2003)
Stefan Schwarzmann - Drums (2003-2005)
Write Up:
Ah...Helloween. This amazing band has been growing on me for ages. Their music is so serious at times, yet can get so hilarious in the same song. Great musicians these guys are.
Now, it all started in 1978. Kai was in a band called Gentry. They recruited a few members, and wrote a few songs that would soon come to be parts of other famous songs.
The band changed its name to Second Hell in 1981, and then Iron Fist in 1982, and recorded a demo under that name in 1983.
Then in 1984, the band changed it's name to Helloween. With Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf, and Ingo Schwichtenberg (say that 5 times fast), things were going to look great. Helloween signed a record deal with Noise Records, and recorded two songs for a compilation album that the record company was currently putting together. The album was going to be called Death Metal, and the two tracks recorded were Oernst Of Life by Michael Weikath, and Metal Invaders by Kai. The band eventually sped the tracks up and included them on their first full length album.
In 1985 Helloween recorded their first album, a self-titled mini-LP that contained 5 tracks. The album was certainly a small success, and during that same year they recorded and released their first full-length album, as most of you would know, Walls Of Jericho. Walls Of Jericho was a "critical smash", and with it's mix of speed and melodic music, they were changing metal forever.
Yet when the band toured after the release of their first album, it was quite clear Kai had some trouble singer and playing guitar at the same time. In 1986, Kai sung his last for Helloween on yet another mini-LP titled Judas. Soon afterward, Helloween started their quest for a new vocalist.
At first they wanted to bring Ralf Scheepers on board, former vocalist for Tyran Pace. But they found a talented young singer from a local band in Hamburg, by the name of Michael Kiske.
With this new 18 year old singer on board, in 1987 the band recorded Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 1. The album was a huge success, and Helloween was rising in popularity. They released part 2 of the saga, and were one of the most popular bands in Europe. This album featured the now called "classic line up".
Unfortunately, Kai Hansen left the band after the European part of the KOTSKP2 tour, due to conflicts with the band, the record company, and he just didn't like touring at all. So the band recruited former Rampage guitarist Roland Grapow, who soon finished the rest of the tour with the band.
In 1989 the band released Live In The UK, a compilation of live performances from the tour in '88. The band continued on, writing songs and such, but problems with the record company prevented them from touring and releasing albums until 1991.
The band released Pink Bubbles Go Ape, after several rumors about the band breaking up. The album basically flopped, gaining NO attention commercially or critically. Tension started to rise amongst the band members, and in 1993 they released a pop-influenced album titled Charmeleon. The band pretty much lost all of their fans who liked their heavy stuff, and bad times were coming for the Helloween.
During the tour for Charmeleon, drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg became ill due to drugs, and other personal problems. After trying to recover, he had to take a break from Helloween. Meanwhile, the band's tension kept on rising, and they decide to fire Michael Kiske.
Alas, Helloween soon returned with a new vocalist - Andi Deris, formerly from a band known as Pink Cream 69. The band also had a new drummer, Uli Kusch, who had come from Kai's new band, the ever-so-famous Gamma Ray. The band released Master Of The Rings, which got them back up top as one of the most popular bands in Europe. In other words, the album was a definite success.
However in 1995, former drummer Ingo tragically committed suicide, seeing as he didn't get any better in 2 years...:angry: Dedicated to his death, the band recorded and released The Time Of Oath, which was a massive success all of Europe and the rest of the world. The band soon toured, playing stuff from Master Of The Rings and The Time of Oath, and a live album was released, called "High Live".
With new inspiration, Helloween recorded Better Than Raw, the most heavy album the band had made since their first full-length, Walls Of Jericho. The album gained back most of their "hardcore" fans, and they were once again going on a streak.
Afterward, in 1999, the band made a cover album, titled Metal Jukebox, with lots of covers of famous classic rock songs.
In 2000, the band released my favorite album by them, The Dark Ride. This album was much darker (with lots of comedy in it as well), and more experimental. Soon after the album's tour, the band parted ways with guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch, who went on to formed a band known as Masterplan.
The band found plenty of replacements, and in 2003 they released Rabbit Don't Come Easy, followed by another successful tour, and they toured in the U.S for the first time since 1989.
In 2005, the replacement drummer, Stefan Schwarzmann, didn't want to be a part of Helloween any longer. So they soon found Dani Loeble. The band just released Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy, in late 2005.
Discography:
Death Metal Split - 1984
Death Metal demo - 1984
Demo 1984 Demo - 1984
Helloween EP, 1985
Walls of Jericho Full-length, 1985
Judas EP, 1986
Bang the Head That Doesn't Bang EP, 1986
Halloween Single, 1987
Future World Single, 1987
Keeper of the Seven Keys pt.1 Full-length, 1987
Dr. Stein Single, 1988
Keeper of the Seven Keys pt.2 Full-length, 1988
I Want Out Single, 1988
Keepers Live Live album, 1989
Live in the U.K. Live album, 1989
Pumpkin Tracks Best of/Compilation, 1989
Kids Of The Century Single, 1991
Pink Bubbles Go Ape Full-length, 1991
The Best, The Rest, The Rare Best of/Compilation, 1991
Number One Single, 1992
Windmill Single, 1993
When The Sinner Single, 1993
Chameleon Full-length, 1993
Step Out Of Hell Single, 1993
I Don't Wanna Cry No more Single, 1993
The Pumpkin Video Video/VHS, 1994
Where The Rain Grows Single, 1994
Master of the Rings Full-length, 1994
Mr. Ego (Take Me Down) EP, 1994
Sole Survivor Single, 1994
Perfect Gentleman Single, 1994
Forver and One (Neverland) Live Single, 1996
Power Single, 1996
The Time Of The Oath Single, 1996
The Time Of The Oath Full-length, 1996
Forever And One (Neverland) Single, 1996
High Live Video/VHS, 1996
High Live Live album, 1996
I Can Single, 1998
Better Than Raw Full-length, 1998
Karaoke Remix, Vol. 1 Best of/Compilation, 1998
Karaoke Remix, Vol. 2 Best of/Compilation, 1998
Hey Lord Single, 1998
The Pumpkin Box Best of/Compilation, 1998
Lay All Your Love on Me Single, 1999
Metal Jukebox Full-length, 1999
The Pumpkin Video DVD, 2000
If I Could Fly Single, 2000
The Dark Ride Full-length, 2000
Mr. Torture Single, 2000
High Live DVD, 2002
Treasure Chest (Box) Best of/Compilation, 2002
Just A Little Sign Single, 2003
Rabbit Don't Come Easy Full-length, 2003
Hellish Videos DVD, 2005
Mrs. God, Single - 2005
Keeper of the Seven Keys, Full Length - 2005
Uploads:
If you haven't already heard this band, which most of you probably have, I will be sending out a sampler by them when enough emails are on the list. Just post yours.
xbuckethead@gmail.com
archenemy_28@hotmail.com
aceshigh6505@gmail.com
aaron_szczotkewycz@hotmail.com
Vision Divine (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426466)
Darkthrone (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419898)
Candlemass (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=417419)
Hammerfall (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416618)
Stratovarius (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=414815)
Ensiferum (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?)
Symphony X (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370818)
Porcupine Tree (Do Not Bump) (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370687)
Brief History:
Helloween have been around for quite some time. They have released numerous albums, and have gone through stages of speed metal, power metal, and just plain metal. The lyrical themes are usually based on metal, tales/legends, humor, morality, and other things of the sort.
Current Members:
Andi Deris - Vocals
Michael Weikath - Guitar
Sascha Gerstner - Guitar
Markus Grosskopt - Guitar
Dani Loeble - Drums
Past Members:
Kai Hansen - Vocals (beginning-1986) - Guitars (beginning-1988)
Michael "Michi" Kiske - Vocals (1987-1993)
Roland Grapow - Guitars (1988-2001)
Ingo Schwichtenberg - Drums (beginning-1993)
Ulrich "Uli" Kusch - Drums (1994-2001)
Mark Cross - Drums (2001-2003)
Stefan Schwarzmann - Drums (2003-2005)
Write Up:
Ah...Helloween. This amazing band has been growing on me for ages. Their music is so serious at times, yet can get so hilarious in the same song. Great musicians these guys are.
Now, it all started in 1978. Kai was in a band called Gentry. They recruited a few members, and wrote a few songs that would soon come to be parts of other famous songs.
The band changed its name to Second Hell in 1981, and then Iron Fist in 1982, and recorded a demo under that name in 1983.
Then in 1984, the band changed it's name to Helloween. With Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf, and Ingo Schwichtenberg (say that 5 times fast), things were going to look great. Helloween signed a record deal with Noise Records, and recorded two songs for a compilation album that the record company was currently putting together. The album was going to be called Death Metal, and the two tracks recorded were Oernst Of Life by Michael Weikath, and Metal Invaders by Kai. The band eventually sped the tracks up and included them on their first full length album.
In 1985 Helloween recorded their first album, a self-titled mini-LP that contained 5 tracks. The album was certainly a small success, and during that same year they recorded and released their first full-length album, as most of you would know, Walls Of Jericho. Walls Of Jericho was a "critical smash", and with it's mix of speed and melodic music, they were changing metal forever.
Yet when the band toured after the release of their first album, it was quite clear Kai had some trouble singer and playing guitar at the same time. In 1986, Kai sung his last for Helloween on yet another mini-LP titled Judas. Soon afterward, Helloween started their quest for a new vocalist.
At first they wanted to bring Ralf Scheepers on board, former vocalist for Tyran Pace. But they found a talented young singer from a local band in Hamburg, by the name of Michael Kiske.
With this new 18 year old singer on board, in 1987 the band recorded Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 1. The album was a huge success, and Helloween was rising in popularity. They released part 2 of the saga, and were one of the most popular bands in Europe. This album featured the now called "classic line up".
Unfortunately, Kai Hansen left the band after the European part of the KOTSKP2 tour, due to conflicts with the band, the record company, and he just didn't like touring at all. So the band recruited former Rampage guitarist Roland Grapow, who soon finished the rest of the tour with the band.
In 1989 the band released Live In The UK, a compilation of live performances from the tour in '88. The band continued on, writing songs and such, but problems with the record company prevented them from touring and releasing albums until 1991.
The band released Pink Bubbles Go Ape, after several rumors about the band breaking up. The album basically flopped, gaining NO attention commercially or critically. Tension started to rise amongst the band members, and in 1993 they released a pop-influenced album titled Charmeleon. The band pretty much lost all of their fans who liked their heavy stuff, and bad times were coming for the Helloween.
During the tour for Charmeleon, drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg became ill due to drugs, and other personal problems. After trying to recover, he had to take a break from Helloween. Meanwhile, the band's tension kept on rising, and they decide to fire Michael Kiske.
Alas, Helloween soon returned with a new vocalist - Andi Deris, formerly from a band known as Pink Cream 69. The band also had a new drummer, Uli Kusch, who had come from Kai's new band, the ever-so-famous Gamma Ray. The band released Master Of The Rings, which got them back up top as one of the most popular bands in Europe. In other words, the album was a definite success.
However in 1995, former drummer Ingo tragically committed suicide, seeing as he didn't get any better in 2 years...:angry: Dedicated to his death, the band recorded and released The Time Of Oath, which was a massive success all of Europe and the rest of the world. The band soon toured, playing stuff from Master Of The Rings and The Time of Oath, and a live album was released, called "High Live".
With new inspiration, Helloween recorded Better Than Raw, the most heavy album the band had made since their first full-length, Walls Of Jericho. The album gained back most of their "hardcore" fans, and they were once again going on a streak.
Afterward, in 1999, the band made a cover album, titled Metal Jukebox, with lots of covers of famous classic rock songs.
In 2000, the band released my favorite album by them, The Dark Ride. This album was much darker (with lots of comedy in it as well), and more experimental. Soon after the album's tour, the band parted ways with guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch, who went on to formed a band known as Masterplan.
The band found plenty of replacements, and in 2003 they released Rabbit Don't Come Easy, followed by another successful tour, and they toured in the U.S for the first time since 1989.
In 2005, the replacement drummer, Stefan Schwarzmann, didn't want to be a part of Helloween any longer. So they soon found Dani Loeble. The band just released Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy, in late 2005.
Discography:
Death Metal Split - 1984
Death Metal demo - 1984
Demo 1984 Demo - 1984
Helloween EP, 1985
Walls of Jericho Full-length, 1985
Judas EP, 1986
Bang the Head That Doesn't Bang EP, 1986
Halloween Single, 1987
Future World Single, 1987
Keeper of the Seven Keys pt.1 Full-length, 1987
Dr. Stein Single, 1988
Keeper of the Seven Keys pt.2 Full-length, 1988
I Want Out Single, 1988
Keepers Live Live album, 1989
Live in the U.K. Live album, 1989
Pumpkin Tracks Best of/Compilation, 1989
Kids Of The Century Single, 1991
Pink Bubbles Go Ape Full-length, 1991
The Best, The Rest, The Rare Best of/Compilation, 1991
Number One Single, 1992
Windmill Single, 1993
When The Sinner Single, 1993
Chameleon Full-length, 1993
Step Out Of Hell Single, 1993
I Don't Wanna Cry No more Single, 1993
The Pumpkin Video Video/VHS, 1994
Where The Rain Grows Single, 1994
Master of the Rings Full-length, 1994
Mr. Ego (Take Me Down) EP, 1994
Sole Survivor Single, 1994
Perfect Gentleman Single, 1994
Forver and One (Neverland) Live Single, 1996
Power Single, 1996
The Time Of The Oath Single, 1996
The Time Of The Oath Full-length, 1996
Forever And One (Neverland) Single, 1996
High Live Video/VHS, 1996
High Live Live album, 1996
I Can Single, 1998
Better Than Raw Full-length, 1998
Karaoke Remix, Vol. 1 Best of/Compilation, 1998
Karaoke Remix, Vol. 2 Best of/Compilation, 1998
Hey Lord Single, 1998
The Pumpkin Box Best of/Compilation, 1998
Lay All Your Love on Me Single, 1999
Metal Jukebox Full-length, 1999
The Pumpkin Video DVD, 2000
If I Could Fly Single, 2000
The Dark Ride Full-length, 2000
Mr. Torture Single, 2000
High Live DVD, 2002
Treasure Chest (Box) Best of/Compilation, 2002
Just A Little Sign Single, 2003
Rabbit Don't Come Easy Full-length, 2003
Hellish Videos DVD, 2005
Mrs. God, Single - 2005
Keeper of the Seven Keys, Full Length - 2005
Uploads:
If you haven't already heard this band, which most of you probably have, I will be sending out a sampler by them when enough emails are on the list. Just post yours.
xbuckethead@gmail.com
archenemy_28@hotmail.com
aceshigh6505@gmail.com
aaron_szczotkewycz@hotmail.com