Michael Kiske
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Michael Kiske |
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Michael Kiske (born January 24, 1968) is a singer best known as the lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween from 1986 to 1993. He was born in Hamburg, Germany.
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 eighteen, Kiske was asked to join the already internationally successful power metal band Helloween, which was fronted by singer/guitarist Kai Hansen. Hansen had some difficulties being both the lead guitarist and lead vocalist, 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 joined 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. They went on to release Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II, Pink Bubbles Go Ape, and Chameleon. The last two albums were commercial failures, and resulted in Kiske separating from Helloween.
Kiske would be fired from the band in 1993, reportedly for personal reasons; Michael Weikath claimed it had become impossible to work with him any longer. Kiske was replaced by Andi Deris, who has remained with Helloween ever since.
Kiske was rumored to be Bruce Dickinson's replacement after he departed from Iron Maiden in 1993, but that position was filled by Blaze Bayley.
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 dedicated to deceased Helloween drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg "Always" was produced, filmed in 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.
In 2003, out of desire to make rock music again, Kiske formed a band, named SupaRed. They released a self-titled album in January of 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]
Also in 2005 Helloween released the album "Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy" in which some of their early recordings featuring Michael Kiske were sampled for the intro of the song "Occasion Avenue".
In 2006, Michael Kiske released his new album under the name of KISKE, which received poor ratings.
He is planning to get a publisher deal and still participates in rock opera projects, such as Avantasia Part 3 - The Scarecrow (2008).
Singing style
In comparison to Kai Hansen, Kiske had a more vibrant and clean voice.[citation needed] To some, Kiske is an atypical 80's Heavy Metal "screamer", noted for his ability to hit extremely high notes (he has nearly four octaves in his vocal range).[citation needed] His style was a noticeable change from that of Hansen, and some fans and critics have likened his singing style and range to that of Geoff Tate or a young Samson-era Bruce Dickinson.[citation needed] For some fans, Kiske is still their favorite singer,[citation needed] while others prefer the more screechy style of Hansen or his successor Andi Deris.[citation needed] Kiske's time in Helloween has proved to be highly influential, and many singers cite him as an influence[citation needed] or attempt to imitate his vocal approach.[citation needed]
Discography
- 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)
Michael Kiske
- Instant Clarity (1996)
- Always (EP) (1996)
- The Calling (EP) (1996)
- Readiness to Sacrifice (1999)
- Kiske (2006)
- Past In Different Ways (2008)
- The Metal Opera (2001)
- The Metal Opera Part II (2002)
- Lost in Space Part II (EP) (2007)
- The Scarecrow (2008)
SupaRed
- SupaRed (2003)
Place Vendome
- Place Vendome (2005)
Guest appearances
- Gamma Ray - Land of the Free (1995)
- Timo Tolkki - Hymn To Life (2002)
- Masterplan - Masterplan (2003)
- Aina - Days of Rising Doom (2004)
- Thalion - Another Sun (2004)
- Tribuzy - Execution (2005)
- Edguy - Superheroes (EP) (2005)
- Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy (Samples only) (2005)
- Indigo Dying - Indigo Dying (2007)
- Avantasia - Lost in Space Part II (EP), The Scarecrow (2007~2008)