Helloween began in the early 80's. But theyr name wasnt always Helloween. They first started out as a band called Gentry. The members were Kai Hansen and Peter Sielck(iron savior vocalist/guitarist also producer)with some guest musicians. A couple of years later they decided to add some new members. Bassist Markus Grosskopf and Drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg. Along with the new members the band also got a new name, Second Hell.
Still not being satisfied with the name of the band, in '82 they changed it once again to Iron Fist. Kai Hansen wanted to add another guitarist to the band, and he found one named Michael Weikath from the band Powerfool. With the last member of the band they once again changed their name obviously for the last time to HELLOWEEN!
After 2 years of rehearsals and gigs they were invited to record some songs for a compilation called "DEATH METAL". They recorded 2 songs "Metal Invaders" and "Oersnt of Life"(which was an old song from weiki's old band Powerfool).
In '85 they released their first mini album entitled "Helloween" with Kai Hansen on vocals and guitar, Michael Weikath on guitar, Markus Grosskopf on bass, and Ingo Schwitchenberg on drums. It included the songs "starlight", "Murderer", "warrior", "cry for freedom" and "victim of fate". Then in '86 they released their first full length album "Walls of Jericho". Which included the songs "Walls of Jericho/Ride the Sky", "Reptile", "Guardians", "Phantoms of Death", "Metal Invaders", "Gor Gar", "Heavy Metal(is the law)" and "How Many Tears"(which was another song done in weiki's old band powerfool). Last but not least they recorded another mini album called "Judas" with the songs "Judas", "Victim of Fate", "Cry for Freedom", "Ride the sky-Live" and "Guardians".
After the release of "Judas" Kai decided that he would rather focus on playing guitar and get another singer to join the band. Markus Grosskopf found a singer named Michael Kiske from the band Ill Prophecy. Markus liked how Kiske sang and repeatedly asked Kiske if he would like to join the band, but Kiske wasnt interested. Weiki met up with Kiske and gave him a tape of "Walls of Jericho". Kiske listened to it and didnt like it so he put it aside and didnt want anything to do with the band. Weiki spoke to Kiske and explained what new things he wanted to do with the band and Kiske got interested and finally joined the band. They began to record their 2nd full length album entitled "Keeper of the 7 keys Part 1" which came out in '87.It was a great change in the style of music and also in the song writing. The songs included were "Initiation/I'm Alive", "A little Time"(which was a song Kiske wrote in his old band Ill Prophecy), "Twilight of the gods", "A Tale That Wasnt Right", "Future World", "Halloween", and "Follow the Sign". This album also included the first video entitled "Halloween", but it was a much shorter version of the song. The video got alot of play on Headbangers Ball and Helloween was begining to become a very well known band. There was also a single for the song "Future World"
In '88 the band went back into the studio to record their next album entitled "Keeper of the 7 Keys Part 2" (the band wanted to make a double album out of keeper 1 & 2 but the record company didnt think it was the right thing to do)so they recorded Keeper 2 which was alot like Keeper 1 with the same sound but the songs themselves shown that the band has grown and imporved. Alot of Fans consider this their favorite album of Helloween. Songs included on Keeper 2 are "Invitation/Eagle Fly Free", "You Always Walk Alone", "Rise and Fall", "Dr. Stein", "We Got the Right", "Save Us", "March of Time", "I Want Out", and "Keeper of the Seven Keys". Like Keeper 1, Keeper 2 also had a video for the song "I Want Out" that was also played on Headbangers Ball quite often. There was also 2 singles, one was for "I Want Out" and another for "Dr. Stein".
Now that Helloween has had some success with their 2 albums Keeper 1 & 2, They released a live album called "I Want Out- Live" (there were alot of different names for this live album others were "Keepers Live", and "Live in the U.K." with an extra song "Rise and Fall")songs on this album are "Happy Helloween Intro/A Little Time", "Dr. Stein", "We Got the Right", "I Want Out", "How Many Tears"(which i think is the best version of this song i ever heard.)
In late '89 while on tour Kai decides that he's tired with touring and leaves helloween. After Kai left a few months later he formed a new band calledGamma Ray with Ralph Sheepers ex-singer for Tyran Pace. So with Kai gone the band released another album entitled "The Best, the Rest, The Rare". This album had the songs "I Want Out", "Dr. Stein", "Future World", "Judas", "Walls of Jericho/Ride the Sky", "Halloween", "Livin Ain't No Crime", "Save Us", "Vicitim of Fate"(kiske version), "Savage", "Dont Run for Cover", and "Keeper of the Seven Keys".
Since Kai left the band they had to find a replacement. They found a young Yngwie Malmsteen influenced guitarist by the name of Roland Grapow. With the addition of Roland, in '91 Helloween went into the studio to begin working on a new album entitled "Pink Bubbles Go Ape". Now this album was something totally different from all of their albums to date. they still had the same helloween sound but the song writing was much more commercial sounding. With the change of sound the band also had a change in record companys. They jumped from Noise to EMI after some disagreements they had with NOISE. According to Weikath, Noise didn't pay them what they should have. Along with the jump to EMI came the loss of distribution of any Helloween albums in the states. So the only way to get a Helloween album was to get it through import. When "Pink Bubbles" was released it didnt do as well as the "Keeper" albums. Songs from this album are "Pink Bubbles Go Ape", "Kids of the Century", "Back on the streets", "Number One", "Heavy Metal Hampsters"(which was suppose to be a b-side but the song was pushed to be on the album), "Goin' Home", "Someones Cryin'", "Mankind", "I'm Doin Fine Crazy Man", "The Chance", and "Your Turn". There was a video for the song "Kids of the Century". Unlike the other videos being played by Mtv, this was due to the new music scene at the time known as "Grunge" bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam took over mtv and metal seemed to almost be dead for the next couple of years. There was also a singles for the songs "Number One" and "Kids of the Century" with a cover of a Elvis song "Blue Suede Shoes" .
During the touring for "Pink Bubbles" the band starts to have conflicts with eachother mostly with Kiske and Ingo. Kiske got involved with an obscure religion, and Ingo was becoming so depressed he started to use drugs. So with these problems in late '92 they began to start recording the next album "Chameleon". This album was a complete change in the bands sound. Strings, Horns, Clarinets and any other kind of orchestra instruement were added into the songs. Despite of the different sound the album wasnt that bad and it had some very memorable songs, but it wasnt the typical Helloween album. The song that had the closest Helloween feel to it was "Giants". The songs included on "Chameleon" are "First Time", "When the Sinner", "I Don't Wanna Cry No More", "Crazy Cat", "Giants", "Windmill", "Revolution Now", "In the Night", "Music", "Step Out of Hell", "I Believe", "Longing". A couple of my favorite songs from this album are "First Time", "Giants", "Windmill", and "Longing" which is a song that has accoustic guitars and an orchestra in the background and Kiske singing. His voice and the lyrics made it a great song to listen to and to sing to. There was a video for the song "When the Sinner" and also singles for the songs "When the Sinner" "I Don't Wanna Cry No More" and "Step Out of Hell"
This is the part were the shit hits the fan so to speak. After "Chameleon" was released the band went on tour, Ingo's drug problem was getting worse. He had some schizophrenic hereditary problems. Before a show in Japan, he dropped on the floor and started to cry compulsively, and he also had euphoric moments caused by cocaine use. He was forced to leave the band. Problems withMichael Kiske got worse so he left the band to start a solo carrier and did a guest appearance on the Gamma Ray cd "Land of the Free". Not only were there problems within the band but also with EMI. EMI was going out of business so they let Helloween go.
With Ingo and Kiske leaving the band Helloween had to find musicians to take their place. First was drummer Uli Kusch formerly from Gamma Ray(Kai Hansens band). Then singer Andi Deris formerly from the band Pink Cream 69. At first Andi wasnt sure if he wanted to join Helloween cause his band Pc69 was getting some recognition. He also didnt think he would fit in with the style of music Helloween played. Pc69 was more of a Rock Ac/Dc type band where Helloween is more of a thrashy metal band. But being the convincing person Weiki is Deris decided to leave Pc69 and joined Helloween. Kusch who was not in a band at the time wanted a new start and happily joined the band.
In '94 They signed to a new record lable, Castle Communications/Raw Power. And with a new line-up they went into the studio to record the album "Master of the Rings". With this album the old sound and song writing that was done on the "Keeper" albums was back in the band and they put out a great album. Song on this album are "Irritation/Sole Survivor", "Where the Rain Grows", "Why?", "Perfect Gentleman", "Mr. Ego (take me down)", "The Game is on", "Secret Alibi", "Take me Home", "Middle of a Heartbeat", and "Still We Go". There were singles for the songs "Sole Survivor", "Where the Rain Grows", and "Perfect Gentleman". A Video was also released called "Pumpkin Videos" it included all their videos up til '94.
Finally with Helloween back on track and no conflicts within the band, they begin to once again get some recognition and record sales start to go back up. "Master of the Rings" was also the first Helloween album to be distributed in the U.S. since "The Best, The Rest, The Rare". It was also re-released in the states as a double cd with the 2nd cd including the songs "Grapowskie's Malmsweet in D-doll" "Silicone Dreams", "Closer to Home"(Grand Funk Railroad cover sung by Roland),"Star Invasion" and "I Stole Your Love"(a Kiss cover)
Tragically on March 19, 1995 Ingo commited suicide by jumping out of a hotel window. He will be missed by all Helloween fans. R.I.P
In '95 they went back to the studio with the same line-up as "Master of the Rings" to record a much heavier album "Time of the Oath".It was a concept album about Nostradomas "Time of the Oath" was like the last album but the sound was better and the band seemed more together than before. They Dedicated the album in loving memory of Ingo. The songs on this album are "We Burn", "Steel Tormentor", "Wake up the Mountain", "Power", "Forever and One(Neverland)", "Before the War", "A Million to One", "Anything My Mama Don't Like", "Kings Will Be Kings", "Mission Mother Land", "If I Knew", and "Time of the Oath". There was a video for the song "Power" which despite of the metal scene starting to come back it still wasnt played on any U.S. video station. There were also singles for the songs "Power", "Time of the Oath", and "Forever and One(Neverland)".
With the success of "Rings" and "Oath" they put out their 2nd Live album in '96 called "High Live". There was a mix of songs from "keepers 1 & 2" through "Time of the Oath" with the exceptions of "Chameleon" and "Walls of Jericho". But the Japanese import version includes the bonus song "How Many Tears". There was also a complete live video also called "High Live". Songs that were done are "We Burn", "Wake Up The Mountain", "Sole Survivor", "The Chance", "Why?", "Eagle Fly Free", "The Time Of The Oath", "Future World", "Dr. Stein","Before The War, " Mr. Ego", "Power", "Where The Rain Grows", "In The Middle Of A Heartbeat", "Perfect Gentleman", and "Steel Tormentor".
During the release of "High Live", Roland and Andi put out solo albums. Roland's 1st is entitled "Four Seasons of Life" had Markus Grosskopf and Uli Kusch as guest appearences on the album.Roland's album was pretty much the same as a Helloween album except that he sang all the songs, and Ralph Sheepers did a guest appearance on one song since Ralph left Gamma Ray shortly before.Andi's 1st solo album is entitled "Come in From the Rain".Unlike Roland's solo album Andi's didnt sound like Helloween at all, except for one song which was meant to be a Helloween song but didnt seem to fit in, so he put it on his album. Weiki, Roland, Grosskopf and Uli made a guest appearance on the song "King of Seven Eyes". It had a lighter sound actually alomst like his old band Pink Cream 69.
With most of the members out with solo albums it sorta made a problem with song writing for the next album in '98 entitled "Better Than Raw". The band still went and recorded it and it came out great, even better than "Time of the Oath". "Better Than Raw" went back to almost the same sort of sound the had on walls of jericho by using the same amps they used on walls. There was a little change in the sound once again but it was with downtuned guitars in some of the songs. But none the less it made a really great sounding album. Because of this album the band got some new fans. Songs included on this album are "Deliberatly limited Preliminary Prelude Period In Z/Push", "Falling Higher", "Hey Lord!", "Don't Spit on My Mind", "Revelation", "Time", "I Can", "Handful of Pain", "Lavdate Dominvm", and "Midnight Sun". There was a video for the song "I Can" which was actually recently played on MTV when they had the RETURN OF THE ROCK week. There were also singles for the songs "I Can", and "Hey Lord".
After "Better Than Raw" was released the band went on tour to places they havent been in 10 years. Probably the most memorable one is a show they did in N.Y. at a place called Coney Island High. The place was so packed with people they were going out the door due to the place over selling tickets. Despite that it turned out to be a great show. Since then Helloween hasnt been back to N.Y. nor have they played at Coney Island due to the place being closed down. Hopefully they will get to play in N.Y. sometime soon. A perfect place to play would be the Hammerstein Ball room where Iron Maiden sold out 1 show so fast that they had to add on an extra day. That in itself was a great show, but this site is about Helloween and i dont want to drift off from that.
In '99 the record company wanted the Helloween to put out a best of album but they were on a role putting out cd's that were once again starting to sell so they decided to work on a tribute album to their favorite bands over the years. The album was entitled "Metal Jukebox". They covered songs from Scorpions, Abba, David Bowe, Faith No More, Frank Marino, Focus, Jethro Tull, Alex Harvey, Cream, Babe Ruth, The Beatles, and Deep Purple. "Metal Jukebox" didnt do as well as expected but it was pretty good. Songs on the album are "He's A Woman-She's A Man", "Locomotive Breath", "Lay All Your Love On Me", "Space Oddity", "From Out of Nowhere", "All My Loving", "Hocus Pocus", "Faith Healer", "Juggernaut", "White Room", "Mexican". There was a single for the song "Lay All Your Love On Me".
Markus and Uli put together a band calledShockmachine and they later released their first album with the same name. Shockmachine is more of a rock than metal band. The vocals are very different from the style of Helloween's, almost like a cross between Grave Digger/Sacred Reich. Uli also put together another band called Catch the Rainbow. They did Rainbow covers and Uli sang on the track "Eyes of the World". Catch the Rainbow has members from the bands Grave Digger, Metalium, and Gamma Ray. Roland put out his second solo album entitled "Kaliedoscope" with ex malmsteen singer Mike Viscera and ex malmsteen drummer Mark Terrena(also from the bands Metalium, Artension and im sure others). Rolands second album was better produced and sounded clearer, this also like his first release sounded a bit like Helloween. And Andi also released his second solo album entitled "Done with Mirrors". This album is alot different from his first. Theres alot of different sounds unlike Helloween's. More accoustic lighter sounding. Like all the side projects within the band are really good and should be checked out.
During that Helloween itself was having problems with their record company Castle/Raw Power. So they searched for a new lable.
In 2000 Helloween signed to a new record label called NUCLEAR BLAST and released the album "The Dark Ride". The title pretty much explains the album. Its a dark sounding album with alot of downtuned guitars, even more than "Better Than Raw". Helloween also worked with new producers Roy Z and Charlie Bauerfeind. This time unlike "Better Than Raw" everyone contributed into writing new material. To me there isnt one bad song on this album. I think its one of their best ones yet. songs on this album are "Beyond the Portal", "Mr. Torture", "All Over The Nations", "Escalation 666", "Mirror Mirror", "If I Could Fly", "Salvation", "The Departed(Sun is Going Down)", "I Live For Your Pain", "We Damn The Night", "Immortal", and "The Dark Ride". There were singles for the songs "If I Could Fly", and "Mr. Torture"
With the release of "The Dark Ride" Helloween toured through most of Europe and Japan. They had to cancel some shows due to Andi not being able to sing. During this time Wieki, Grosskopf and Deris discussed the fact that if Helloween was going to stay around everyone had to be in Helloween 100%. With that they decided to let Uli and Roland go. Uli and Roland are working on another band with eachother, no word on who else is going to be in the band or on the name of the band. Hopefully we will hear from them soon. Roland's been in Helloween since '89 and Uli since '94. They both contributed so much to Helloween and brought them back to the great band they are today. They will be missed. Thanks for the great songs! As for Helloween no word on who they will pick to replace the former members, but im sure who ever they pick will be a good choice. There also will be another pumpkin box out in Japan and a best of album but there are no dates scheduled. Until the next album SEE YA!