Michael Kiske
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Vocalist Michael Kiske was (born January 24, 1968 in Hamburg, Germany), best known as the lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween from 1987 to 1993.
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[edit] Biography
Prior to joining Helloween, Kiske sang with the German band "Ill Prophecy", beginning at age 17. The band recorded a demo, but it was never released commercially.
When he was still a teen (19), Kiske was asked to join the then unknown power metal band Helloween, which was fronted by singer/guitarist Kai Hansen. Kai Hansen had some difficulties being both the lead guitarist and lead vocalist, however, and it was decided that a new vocalist would be needed. They found youth Michael Kiske quite impressive; Kiske however, refused at first but later reconsidered. Michael Kiske enrolled in Helloween in 1987 and recorded Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1, widely considered to be one of Helloween's best albums and a milestone in the creation of the power metal genre. Kiske continued his work with Helloween until his release in 1993. With them he recorded Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II, Pink Bubbles Go Ape and Chameleon. He was released in 1993, reputedly for personal reasons and has since engaged in his own solo project. He was replaced by Andi Deris, who has remained with Helloween ever since.
On August 16, 1996, three years after leaving Helloween, Kiske released his first solo album, Instant Clarity on the Japanese record label Victor. The album featured guest appearances by Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray and Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden. A music video for the ballad "Always" was produced, filmed on New York City. His second solo album, Readiness to Sacrifice, was released in Korea and Japan in 1999, and in Europe in 2001. Kiske describes both of these albums as pop music, though they contain songs in a wide variety of styles.
In 2001 Kiske was asked to participate in Avantasia's Metal Opera in the role of Lugaid Vandroiy, which he agreed to do, but only under the name of Ernie, which was printed on the back of the first CD, but not on the second, where his real name was correctly printed. He said in interviews that he didn't want people to link him to Heavy Metal anymore. The Album has been released sometime ago and features Kiske singing along with metal's finest vocalists.
In 2003, out of desire to make rock music, again, Kiske formed a band, named SupaRed. They released a self-titled album in January, 2003. This album has a modern rock sound and a song structure, distinct from both his solo albums and the heavy metal sound of Helloween. The project was unsuccessful and he dissolved the band.
In 2005 Kiske was a part of the Place Vendome project on Italian record label Frontiers Records. Comparing the band to those like Foreigner or Journey."[1]
In 2006, Michael Kiske released his new album under the name of KISKE, which received mixed ratings.
He is planning to get a publisher deal and still participates in Opera rock projects.
[edit] Singing style
In comparison to Kai Hansen, Kiske had a notably more vibrant and powerful voice. To some Kiske is an atypical 80s Heavy Metal screamer, noted for his ability to hit extremely high notes. His style was a noticeable change from that of Hansen. For some fans Kiske is still their favorite singer, while others prefer the more screechy style of Hansen or his successor Andi Deris.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Helloween
- Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 (1987)
- Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2 (1988)
- Live in the UK (1989)
- Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991)
- Chameleon (1993)
[edit] Michael Kiske
- Instant Clarity (1996)
- Always (EP) (1996)
- The Calling (EP) (1996)
- Readiness to Sacrifice (1999)
- Kiske (2006)
[edit] SupaRed
- SupaRed (2003)
[edit] Place Vendome
- Place Vendome (2005)
[edit] Guest appearances
- Land of the Free (1995) by Gamma Ray
- Avantasia: The Metal Opera (2001)
- Avantasia: The Metal Opera pt. II (2002)
- Hymn To Life (2002) by Timo Tolkki
- Masterplan (2003) by Masterplan
- Days of Rising Doom (2004) by Aina
- Another Sun (2004) by Thalion
- Execution (2005) by Tribuzy
- Superheroes (EP) (2005) by Edguy
[edit] External links
- The Official Michael Kiske Website
- Where Wishes Fly - Michael Kiske Official Fanclub
- Michael Kiske's Personal Website (German)
- Biography at Frontiers Records*
- Homepage of Michael Kiske's SupaRed
- Great Fansite designed by Cláudia
- A Bit Of Michi - Japanese Fansite
- The Michael Kiske Story
| Helloween | ||
| Andi Deris | Michael Weikath | Sascha Gerstner | Markus Grosskopf | Daniel Löble | ||
| Kai Hansen - Michael Kiske - Ingo Schwichtenberg - Roland Grapow - Uli Kusch - Mark Cross - Stefan Schwarzmann | ||
| Discography | ||
|---|---|---|
| Studio albums: Helloween | Walls of Jericho | Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 | Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2 | Pink Bubbles Go Ape | Chameleon | Master of the Rings | The Time of the Oath | Better Than Raw | Metal Jukebox | The Dark Ride | Rabbit Don't Come Easy | Keeper of the Seven Keys – The Legacy |
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| Live albums: I Want Out Live | Keepers Live | Live in the UK | High Live | Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy World Tour 2005/2006 | ||
| Compilations: Pumpkin Tracks | The Best, The Rest, The Rare | Karaoke Album vol. 1 | Metal Jukebox | Treasure Chest | ||
| Singles: "Judas" | "Future World" | "Dr. Stein" | "I Want Out" | "Windmill" | "If I Could Fly" | "Just a Little Sign" | "Mrs. God" | "Light the Universe" | ||
| Related articles | ||
| Gamma Ray | Masterplan | ||
