Michael Kiske

Michael Kiske (born , 1968 in Hamburg, Germany) is a singer best known as the lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween from 1986 to 1993. Kiske has been recording solo albums since 1996 and has participated in various metal operas and other such projects. He also wrote a book, 'Kunst Und Materialismus', which is only available in German.

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 German 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. 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 leaving Helloween.

Kiske would be fired from the band in 1993, reportedly for personal reasons and musical differences; 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.

In 1995, Kiske participated as a guest on Gamma Ray's (Kai Hansen's band, formed after his departure from Helloween in late 1988) Land of the Free album, singing lead vocals on the song Time To Break Free and additional vocals on the title track.

On , 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 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 2002, Kiske sang the song "Key To The Universe", which was featured on Timo Tolkki's (guitarist of the band Stratovarius) solo album Hymn To Life. In the same year, Michael also sang a duet with Jorn Lande on Masterplan's self titled debut album.

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 the same year he was also part of the metal opera Aina: Days of Rising Doom, in the role of the Narrator, singing on 4 songs.

In 2004, Michael sang a duet with the female vocalist of the band Thalion on their debut album Another Sun.

In 2005, Kiske was a part of the Place Vendome project on Italian record label Frontiers Records. Place Vendome was composed of members from the German band Pink Cream 69, the keyboard player from the band Vanden Plas and Kiske on vocals. The band's music was a blend of melodic hard rock and AOR, comparable to the sound of bands such as Foreigner or Journey.. During the same year Kiske participated on the heavy metal album Execution by the band Tribuzy, together with Bruce Dickinson. Following this participation Kiske also sang a duet with Tobias Sammet (vocalist of the band Edguy and founder of the project Avantasia) on Edguy's Superheroes EP.

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 third full-length solo album under the name of Kiske. The album contained songs in a mellow acoustic pop-rock style and was a step away from the sound of his previous solo albums. According to Kiske "It's a healthy-careless and musically free album. I am very proud of this record because it is a true statement from myself and I could easily build up new things from it, but also can let it stand there as an artistic closing-comment from myself, because I am sure I will still like this album in 10 years time".

In 2007 he sang a duet with the female vocalist of the band Indigo Dying on their self titled debut album.

During 2008, Kiske participated in the Avantasia album The Scarecrow and released his latest solo work, entitled Past in Different Ways; which included the re-recording of his Helloween material in his new acoustic style.. According to Kiske the album "on one hand shows that I don't reject my past just because I'm a different person today, and on the other hand it can maybe give people who were part of that past a different view at those songs".

In 2008 Kiske also guested on Revolution Renaissance's (Timo Tolkki's new band after departing from Stratovarius) New Era album, singing on 5 tracks.

In 2009 Michael Kiske participated on the second album of the project Place Vendome entitled Streets Of Fire. A video was shot for the song My Guardian Angel, marking Kiske's visual return since 1996, while Michael admitted that he enjoyed the second Place Vendome album more than the first. During 2009, Kiske was also a guest on Trick or Treat's album Tin Soldiers singing on 2 songs.

Michael is currently working on his next solo album; while he will also participate in both a melodic metal project on Frontiers Records, together with Amanda Somerville and in the forthcoming Avantasia album.

Singing style

In comparison to Kai Hansen, Kiske had a more vibrant and clean voice. To some, Kiske is an atypical 80's Heavy Metal "screamer", noted for his extensive range and ability to hit extremely high notes. 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. For some fans, Kiske is still their favorite singer, while others prefer the more screechy style of Hansen or his successor Andi Deris. Kiske's time in Helloween has proved to be highly influential, and many singers cite him as an influence or attempt to imitate his vocal approach.

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Original Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael Kiske