Uli Kusch

Ulrich Kusch, born March 11, 1967, is a heavy metal drummer. He has played most famously with Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Masterplan. He is known for his technical style of playing, fast-paced speed metal-like rythm and a capable songwriting abilities.

Biography

During the 80's , until the early 90's, he used to be a studio musician, and played for a lot of bands, such as Rage, Holy Moses, Headhunter (band of Schimier, Destruction's vocalist), among others.

In 1990, after first drummer of Gamma Ray Mathias Burchard quit the band, Kai Hansen recruited Uli to perform in his band... In this lineup, in year 1991 the band released their second full-length studio album, labeled Sigh No More and went on the world tour.

However, in 1993, Uli quit Gamma Ray in favor of Kai's first band, Helloween, who were suffering from dramatic lineup changes. Lead vocalist Michael Kiske had quit due to personal conflicts with Michael Weikath and some of band's overall issues (including troubles with record label, and the poor sales of their two last albums). Drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg was let go due to drug addiction and schizophrenia. Uli was brought into to replace Ingo (who would tragically commit suicide around a year later). Andi Deris replaced Kiske.

In 1994, Helloween released Master of the Rings album with Uli, and in 1996 The Time of the Oath album, devoted to Ingo's memory. Same year Helloween released 2-CD live album High Live, providing a decent demonstration of Ulrich's skills of performing live. Later, band recorded Better Than Raw'1998, followed with the band's cover version album Metal Jukebox'1999... Uli stayed with Helloween up to 2000's The Dark Ride, developing into a key songwriter for the band. A dispute between Weikath and both Uli and Roland saw the latter two depart to form Masterplan, something they had originally been planning as a side project.

With Masterplan Kusch recorded two studio albums, one self-named in 2003 and Aeronautics in 2005.

In 2005, Uli formed a new band called Beautiful Sin with help from Masterplan bandmate Axel Mackenrott and members of Pagan's Mind.

Uli departed from Masterplan in October 2006. Beautiful Sin will become his new main priority.