Helloween are a German power metal band from Hamburg. Formed in 1984, the group was originally a quartet featuring Kai Hansen on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Michael Weikath on lead guitar and backing vocals, Markus Grosskopf on bass and backing vocals, and Ingo Schwichtenberg on drums. The band's current lineup includes constant members Weikath and Grosskopf, alongside Hansen (who rejoined in 2016 after leaving in 1989), co-lead vocalists Michael Kiske (from 1986 to 1993, and since 2016) and Andreas "Andi" Deris (since 1994), rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Sascha Gerstner (since 2002), and drummer Daniel "Dani" Löble (since 2005).
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History edit
1984–1994 edit
Helloween were formed in 1984 by Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf and Ingo Schwichtenberg.[1] The band signed with German heavy metal label Noise Records before the end of the year and released their self-titled debut EP in April 1985.[2] After the group issued their debut full-length album Walls of Jericho later the same year, Hansen decided to step back from the role of lead vocalist to focus on his guitar playing. After a lengthy process of trying to find a replacement, in November the role was filled by Michael Kiske.[3] Keeper of the Seven Keys: Parts I and II followed in 1987 and 1988, respectively, before Hansen left completely on New Year's Day 1989 due to "the ever-increasing stress of touring".[4] He was quickly replaced by Roland Grapow and the band returned to touring.[5]
With new guitarist Roland Grapow, the band released two studio albums – Pink Bubbles Go Ape in 1991 and Chameleon in 1993 – before more lineup changes occurred. During the 1993 tour in promotion of Chameleon, Schwichtenberg was fired due to drug addiction and mental health issues, with Riad "Ritchie" Abdel-Nabi taking his place for the rest of the shows.[2][6] By the end of the year, Kiske had also been fired after growing tensions between the two members had led Weikath to refuse to work with the vocalist.[6] Schwichtenberg would later commit suicide in 1995.[2]
1994–2003 edit
After firing two members in late 1993, Helloween returned early the following year with new vocalist Andreas "Andi" Deris and drummer Ulrich "Uli" Kusch.[7] This lineup remained stable for several years, issuing a string of commercially successful albums.[8] However, in August 2001 it was announced that both Kusch and guitarist Roland Grapow had parted ways with Helloween.[9] In a statement issued the day after the official announcement, the dismissals were credited to "differences in priority", with a spokesman for the band adding that "It was felt Roland and Uli were paying too much time and attention to their solo projects. After a very successful tour behind The Dark Ride album Michael, Markus and Andi felt quite rightly that the focus of Helloween members must be 100% on Helloween."[10]
In early September, Kusch's replacement was announced as former Metalium drummer Mark Cross.[11] Helloween remained without a second guitarist until August 2002, when it was announced that Sascha Gerstner, who had left Freedom Call a year earlier, had joined the band.[12] Recording subsequently began for the group's next album, however Cross was forced to sit out after contracting mononucleosis, with Mikkey Dee of Motörhead taking his place in the studio.[13] In February 2003, Cross was officially replaced by former U.D.O. and Accept drummer Stefan Schwarzmann.[14]
Since 2003 edit
Within two years of joining, drummer Stefan Schwarzmann had left Helloween, with Daniel "Dani" Löble taking his place in February 2005.[15] The lineup remained stable for more than ten years, before it was announced in November 2016 that founding member Kai Hansen and former vocalist Michael Kiske would be returning to Helloween for the Pumpkins United World Tour starting the following year.[16] At the start of the tour, the newly expanded group released the single "Pumpkins United", featuring Kiske, Hansen and continuing vocalist Andi Deris on vocals.[17] Following the touring cycle, the seven-piece incarnation of Helloween remained in place, for the 2021 studio album Helloween.[18]
Official members edit
Current edit
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Weikath | 1984–present |
|
all Helloween releases | |
| Markus Grosskopf |
| |||
| Kai Hansen |
|
|
| |
| Michael Kiske |
|
lead and backing vocals |
| |
| Andreas "Andi" Deris | 1994–present | all Helloween releases from Master of the Rings (1994) onwards | ||
| Sascha Gerstner | 2002–present |
|
all Helloween releases from Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003) onwards | |
| Daniel "Dani" Löble | 2005–present | drums | all Helloween releases from Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy (2005) onwards |
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Former edit
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingo Schwichtenberg | 1984–1993 (died 1995) | drums | all Helloween releases from Helloween (1985) to Chameleon (1993) | |
| Roland Grapow | 1989–2001 |
|
all Helloween releases from Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991) to The Dark Ride (2000) | |
| Ulrich "Uli" Kusch | 1994–2001 |
|
all Helloween releases from Master of the Rings (1994) to The Dark Ride (2001) | |
| Mark Cross | 2001–2003 | drums | Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003) – two tracks each only | |
| Stefan Schwarzmann | 2003–2005 |
Backup musicians edit
Session edit
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Hardaway | 1985 | synthesisers | Walls of Jericho (1985) | |
| Peter Iversen | 1990 | keyboards | Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991) | |
| Phil Nicholas | ||||
| Corinna Wolke | 1992 | backing vocals | Chameleon (1993) – one track only | |
| Lenny Wolf | ||||
| Jutta Weinhold | 1997 | Better Than Raw (1998) | ||
| Ralf Maurer | ||||
| Christina Hahne | ||||
| Billy King |
|
| ||
| Rolf Köhler | 2000 (died 2007) | The Dark Ride (2000) | ||
| Mikkey Dee | 2002–2003 | drums | Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003) | |
| Olaf Senkbeil | 2004–2015 | backing vocals | all Helloween releases from Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy (2005) to My God-Given Right (2015) | |
| Friedel Amon | 2004–2005 | keyboards | Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy (2005) | |
| Oliver Hartmann | backing vocals | |||
| Matthias Ulmer | 2007–present | keyboards | all Helloween releases from Gambling with the Devil (2007) to Helloween (2021) |
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Touring edit
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jørn Ellerbrock | 1988–2003 |
|
| |
| Ritchie Abdel-Nabi | 1993 | drums | none – live performances only |
Timeline edit
Lineups edit
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 – November 1986 |
|
|
| November 1986 – January 1989 |
|
|
| January 1989 – fall 1993 |
|
|
| Fall – late 1993 |
|
none – live performances only |
| Early 1994 – August 2001 |
|
|
| September 2001 – August 2002 |
|
none – writing and rehearsals only |
| August 2002 – February 2003 |
|
|
| February 2003 – February 2005 |
|
|
| February 2005 – November 2016 |
|
|
| November 2016 – present |
|
|
References edit
- ^ Everley, Dave (21 June 2017). "Helloween: "We're not as big as Maiden, but we're way bigger than Spinal Tap"". Classic Rock. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ a b c "Helloween: Former Drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg Dies Aged 29". Metal Forces. 8 March 1995. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ Ristić, Jovan (15 September 2017). "The Story of Kai Hansen, Part 1 – Heavy Metal is the Law". Hardwired. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ Garza, Janiss (8 April 1989). "The Heavy Metals" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 52, no. 39. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publications. p. 13. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ Cooper, Mike (3 February 1989). "Music Now!" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 114. Medford Lakes, New Jersey: Hard Report. p. 35. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ a b Diamond Oz. (20 January 2013). "Sunday Old School: Helloween". Metal Underground. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ Phillips, William; Cogan, Brian (20 March 2009). Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal Music. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-313-34801-3. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Helloween: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Archive News Aug 21, 2001". Blabbermouth.net. 21 August 2001. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Archive News Aug 23, 2001". Blabbermouth.net. 23 August 2001. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Archive News Sep 10, 2001 – update 1". Blabbermouth.net. 10 September 2001. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Helloween Announce Addition Of Ex-Freedom Call Guitarist". Blabbermouth.net. 22 August 2002. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Motörhead Drummer To Guest On New Helloween CD". Blabbermouth.net. 2 December 2002. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Helloween Name CD, Confirm New Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Helloween Part Ways With Drummer, Announce Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. 11 February 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Helloween To Be Rejoined By Michael Kiske, Kai Hansen For 'Pumpkins United' World Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Listen To Audio Sample Of Helloween's First New Song Featuring Michael Kiske, Kai Hansen". Blabbermouth.net. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ "Helloween Feat. Kiske, Hansen: Concert CD, DVD To Arrive In Early 2019; New Studio Album Due For 2020, though due to other matters, it was postponed until summer 2021". Blabbermouth.net. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2020.