German melodic speed metal band that started out in Hamburg in 1983. This band define the German metal sound. Their origin can be traced back to 1977, when guitarists and buddies, Kai Hansen and Piet Sielck, formed the band Gentry. After winning a local music contest in 1978, they decided to take their musical career to the next level, and started to look for serious musicians. Soon Ingo Schwichtenberg (drums) and Markus Grosskopf (bass) joined their ranks, and in 1980 they changed their name to Second Hell. Then Piet left to pursue a dream to become a producer, and the band once again changed the name, this time to Iron Fist. In 1982 Kai left to join the military, and returned to a band left inactive. He was then recruited to a band named Powerfool, which main force was one guitar player named Michael Weikath. But it wasn't long after that they put this band to rest, brought back Markus, now playing in a band called Blasphemous, and reunited Iron Fist. In 1983 they adopted the name Helloween, as suggested by Ingo. The name was inspired by the movie "Halloween", but with a twist with the words hell and/or hello. The year after they were featured on a compilation, put together by Noise Records boss Karl Walterbach, entitled 'Death Metal'. The year later saw the release of heir first mini-LP, simply entitled 'Helloween', soon followed by their first full-length album, "Walls Of Jericho".

Warning: Everybody who will be spelling the song 'Halloween' from 'Helloween' with an 'E' and the group with an 'A' will immediately be turned into a big ugly half-price-selling pumpkin!

THE EARLY ERA (1983-1987)

(Left pic, left to right: Ingo Schwichtenberg, Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf, Kai Hansen)

(Right pic, left to right: Kai Hansen, Ingo Schwichtenberg, Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath)
 

WALLS OF JERICHO/HELLOWEEN (1985, 1988) NOISE

This re-release incl. the first mini-LP 'Helloween', the first full-length album 'Walls Of Jericho' + extra track 'Judas' (from the EP with the same title). I really didn't see what the big deal was when this first came out. The music is of course outstanding, but I never liked Kai Hansen's high pitched screaming. This record is also the heaviest album Helloween have ever recorded. German speed metal was never to be the same.

Killer tracks: Starlight, Ride The Sky, How Many Tears, Judas

After the first album, and 2 mini-LP's, Helloween decides to recruit a vocalist. Rumors has it that Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, ex-Gamma Ray, ex-Tyran Pace) was asked, but declined. Instead they got the young Michael Kiske, from Ill Prophecy, to join them.

THE CLASSIC ERA (1987-1989)

(Left pic, left to right: Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen,  Ingo Schwichtenberg, Michael Kiske)

(Right pic, left to right: Ingo Schwichtenberg, Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen, Markus Grosskopf and Michael Kiske (front))

KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS PART I (1987) NOISE/RCA

It took me a really long time to get this on CD. And now I can't figure out how I could allow myself not to buy it earlier. 'Cause this is one of those heavy metal masterpieces/milestones. Enter one Michael Kiske, and Helloween hits the big time. They set the standards for melodic speed metal, the German way! Fast songs, songs with humor and long, epic songs. 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I' has it all. And to top it all of, they released 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II'! This is a MUST!!

Killer tracks: Halloween, A Tale That Wasn't Right, Future World, A Little Time

KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS PART II (1988) NOISE 

Part two in Helloween's magnum opus. Again an astonishing album, that sets the standard for this genre. Melodic and speedy songs go hand in hand, and even mix in some ballads. The humor is also very much present. Michael Kiske sings like no one before or after him, in Helloween. 'Keeper...' is another long epic tune clocking in at nearly 14 minutes. A masterpiece, and A MUST!!

Killer tracks: Unfair to pick, they are all classics!

PUMPKIN TRACKS (1989) NOISE (Limited Scandinavian Edition)

Savage Save Us Victim Of Fate Livin' Ain't No Crime Don't Run For Cover Judas Future World Murderer Starlight Phantoms Of Death A Tale That Wasn't Right I Want Out March Of Time I'm Alive

This compilation disc contains now new material. It is still a rather rare gem, as it was only released in Scandinavia. At the time of its release though, it was kind of cool to have all the old stuff on CD for the first time. But all of those tracks have later been added to re-released album etc.

LIVE IN THE U.K. (1989) EMI

A Little Time Dr. Stein Future World Rise And Fall We Got The Right I Want Out How Many Tears

Line-up: Michael Kiske: Vocals Kai Hansen: Guitar Michael Weikath: Guitar Markus Grosskopf: Bass Ingo Schwichtenberg: Drums

Live offering, recorded in Scotland, of all places. It's a good record, but not truly a classic. It's cool to hear Kiske sing Hansen's songs though. And I like it when you can hear the crowd, it is after all live. Helloween was getting big enough for EMI to show interest.

Got my CD signed by Kai Hansen, when I met him after a Gamma Ray-gig in Oslo.

Kai Hansen left after these recordings. Soon he started his own band, Gamma Ray, Roland Grapow replaced him in Helloween.

THE EMI ERA (1989-1993)

(Left pic, left to right: Roland Grapow, Ingo Schwichtenberg, Michael Kiske, Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath)

(Right pic, left to right: Ingo Schwichtenberg, Michael Weikath, Michael Kiske, Markus Grosskopf, Roland Grapow)

THE BEST, THE RARE, THE REST (1991) NOISE

I Want Out Dr. Stein Future World Judas Walls Of Jericho - instrumental Ride The Sky Halloween Livin' Ain't No Crime Save Us Victim Of Fate Savage Don't Run For Cover Keeper Of The Seven Keys

Compilation album, with the best from the 3 first albums. There are also 3 rare b-sides on it, and that makes it worth buying. Helloween has an amazing back catalogue already.

PINK BUBBLES GO APE (1991) EMI

This album got very bad reviews, but I liked it from first listen. It's not as good as the 'Keeper...'- albums though, but it contains some of Kiske's best work, and some of my favorite Helloween tracks. The worst thing about it, is the cover art. No pumpkins!!

Killer tracks: Kids Of The Century, Number One, Mankind, The Chance, Your Turn

CHAMELEON (1993) EMI

Another album that didn't go well with the fans. And this time I agree. Though I really liked it when I first heard it. It actually took me over five years after it's release to get a copy of it. Helloween are trying to commercialize here. The pumpkins are back though, but only inside the booklet.

Killer tracks: When The Sinner, Revolution Now, I Believe, Giants

Helloween 'cleaned up' in their ranks after this one. During the tour for 'Chameleon, drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg collapsed because of his drug use. He was out of the band, and shortly replaced by session-drummer Richie Abdel-Nabi. Ingo actually committed suicide a while later.

CHAMELEON TOUR LINE-UP (1993)

(left to right: Michael Kiske, Roland Grapow, Markus Grosskopf, Richie Abdel-Nabi, Michael Weikath)

Richie was not a good match for Helloween, so after the tour, he was let go. But more notably, so was Michael Kiske. He went on to form a not so successful solo-career. Some of his releases are more pop than metal. He has even said that he won't ever be doing another metal album, as it is against his beliefs?! Too bad, cause Kiske is one of metal's defining voices! He has also been a guest on numerous rock and metal projects since his departure. Finally Weikath managed to persuade Andi Deris, already known from Pink Cream 69, to become the new singer for Helloween. Uli Kursch (Masterplan, Shock Machine, ex-Gamma Ray, ex-Axe La Chapelle, ex-Holy Moses, ex-Mekong Delta) became their new drummer.

THE PRE-MILLENNIUM ERA (1994-2001)

(Left pic, left to right: Uli Kursch, Andi Deris, Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath, Roland Grapow)

(Right pic, left to right: Markus Grosskopf, Michael Weikath, Andi Deris, Uli Kusch, Roland Grapow)

MASTER OF THE RINGS (1994) RAW POWER

Enter new vocalist Andi Deris, formerly of Pink Cream 69. Helloween returns to what they do best, although with a bit more melodic sound. Deris is a good vocalist, but he isn't Kiske, by a long-shot! So while this album is a good one, I tend to get tired of it pretty fast.

Killer tracks: Perfect Gentleman, Where The Rain Grows, Still We Go

THE TIME OF THE OATH (1996) RAW POWER

'The Time Of The Oath' is my favorite Helloween album with Andi Deris on vocals. It contains several great songs, that doesn't get tiresome after some spins. It's not as great as most of the albums with Kiske, but I like it far better than 'Chameleon' and 'Walls of Jericho'. Seems to be a lit darker, and includes more faster songs, than ever before.

Killer tracks: We Burn, Steel Tormentor, Power, The Time Of The Oath

HIGH LIVE (1996) RAW POWER (2-CD)

CD1: We Burn Wake Up The Mountain Sole Survivor The Chance Why Eagle Fly Free The Time Of The Oath Future World Dr. Stein	Line-up: Andi Deris: Vocals Michael Weikath: Guitar Roland Grapow: Guitar Markus Grosskopf: Bass Uli Kursch: Drums
CD2: Before The War Mr. Ego (Take Me Down) Power Where The Rain Grows In The Middle Of A Heartbeat Perfect Gentleman Steel Tormentor

A live album that doesn't cut the mustard at all. With most of the songs spawning from the last two albums, there are so many classics missing. But that is maybe just as well, 'cause Deris doesn't do them right live anyway. And why on earth release a double album if you're not going to include most of your back catalogue? No, listen to 'Live In The UK' instead.

BETTER THAN RAW (1998) RAW POWER

Like the other post-Kiske Helloween albums, this one too sat very well in my ears at first. But after quite a few spins, my interest seems to fade. Some of the tracks are killer, others are very forgettable!

Killer tracks: Revelation, LAVDATE DOMINVM

Fun fact: What does the album title, Better Than Raw, mean?
Andi and I were hanging out at our favorite bar, the Backstage in Hamburg, and we realized that everyone in the band hates the taste of pumpkins (we are often given gifts of pumpkin food). At that bar, we usually come up with stupid ideas for album concepts and covers...the story behind BTR is the Smurf series. The witch on the cover stands for Gargamel, and the pumpkin men for the Smurfs. The witch is cooking pumpkin soup, and so Andi said that at least it’s better than [eating pumpkin] raw. So I said why don't we call the album that [Better Than Raw], and he agreed. It is the most stupid album title there is with regards to its meaning. So we all agreed to keep it.

METAL JUKEBOX (1999) RAW POWER

After Metallica's success with Garage Inc., many bands jumped on the same wagon. Helloween was no exception. Here's a list of what bands had the original songs: 1. Scorpions, 2. Jethro Tull, 3. ABBA, 4. David Bowie, 5. Faith No More, 6. The Beatles, 7. Focus, 8. Alex Harvey, 9. Frank Marino, 10. Cream/Eric Clapton, 11. Babe Ruth. None of these bands are on my priority list, so this disc doesn't interest me that much.

Killer tracks: Lay All Your Love On Me, White Room, He's A Woman - She's A Man

THE DARK RIDE (2000) NUCLEAR BLAST

Waited a very long time before I bought this one. Then I found it used, and I snagged it. And again Helloween delivers quality stuff, this time sounding a bit harder/darker than before. The problem with Andi Deris-era Helloween albums, has been that while they sound really great when they are new, they seldom hold my interest up for more than a few spins. So only time will tell if this one does any better than their previous ones. But now I really enjoy this one.

Killer tracks: Mirror Mirror, If I Could Fly, Salvation

TREASURE CHEST (2002) METAL-IS (3-CD Box Set)

CD1: Mr. Torture I Can Power Where The Rain Grows Eagle Fly Free Future World Metal Invaders Murderer Starlight How Many Tears Ride The Sky Halloween A Little Time A Tale That Wasn't Right I Want Out
CD2: Keeper Of The Seven Keys Dr. Stein The Chance Windmill Sole Survivor Perfect Gentleman In The Middle Of A Heartbeat Kings Will Be Kings Time Of The Oath Forever & One Midnight Sun Mr. Ego Immortal Mirror, Mirror
CD3: BURIED TREASURE Shit And Lobster Oriental Journey - instrumental I Don't Care You Don't Care Ain't Got Nothin' Better Moshi Moshi Shiki No Uta Can't Fight Your Desire Star Invasion Silicon Dreams Grapowski's Malmsuite 1001 (In D-Doll) - instrumental Electric Eye A Game We Shouldn't Play

Another best-of compilation, so the die-hard collector have all the songs on the first 2 CD's. CD 3 on the other hand contains rare B-sides etc. Most of the songs have appeared on singles, but they are so hard to get, that this compilation is a good thing. Well, most of the tracks aren't of the regular Helloween quality, but if you're a collector, stuff like this is always welcome. On the first 2 discs there is mostly pre-millennium-era material, and that puzzled me at first. But if you take a look at Helloween's back-catalogue, you'll find that this line-up has released the most albums. So it kind of figures anyway. This album has also been released as a regular best-of 2-CD, but I encourage you to find this box set instead. "Electric Eye" is of course a Judas Priest cover. There are still plenty of obscure B-side songs that doesn't appear here, so maybe we'll get another package like this at one time or another.

After having a steady line-up for nearly a decade, things happened towards the end of 2002. Roland Grapow and Uli Kursch were suddenly fired, the official reasons were of course 'musical indifferences'. Speculations were going around that they were booted because they showed more interest in their solo-careers than in what Helloween were doing. Both went on to form Masterplan. As replacements they brought in guitarist Sascha Gerstner, a relatively unknown player, with a past in Freedom Call. They also brought in Mark Cross (ex-Metalium, Winter's Bane) on drums, but due to a sudden illness in his hands, he only got to play on 2 tracks on their next album. Mikkey Dee, mostly known from Motörhead and King Diamond, did the session drumming for the remaining tracks. So they brought in Stefan Schwarzmann (Paradox, ex-Running Wild, U.D.O., ex-Accept, ex-X-Wild, ex-Voice) to fill his spot on the tour.

TEMPORARY LINE-UP (2002-2005)

(Left pic, left to right: Sascha Gerstner, Markus Grosskopf, Andi Deris, Michael Weikath, Stefan Schwarzmann)

(Right pic, left to right: Michael Weikath, Markus Grosskopf, Stefan Schwarzmann, Sascha Gerstner, Andi Deris)

RABBIT DON'T COME EASY (2003) NUCLEAR BLAST (Digipak version)

A return to the Helloween of old, was the rumor spread prior to this release. I'm not so sure that was true. I find nothing that reminds me of the 'Keeper...'-albums on 'Rabbit Don't Come Easy' (why on earth no one told the band that the title is spelled wrong is also a mystery to me). So I have to confess that I was a little disappointed with it at first. And that was a shame. Because the CD is, in it's own right, really quite good. Just not as good compared to my favorites by this band. No single songs stand out that much. And if I put the CD away for a week, I would have a hard time humming along to any of the songs, without putting it in my stereo. On the upside though, this disc is very well produced. The band sounds tight, and they have once again found their humor (for better or for worse). All in all I like this album. It brings in many fine elements, combining fast guitars and melodic melody lines. You get humor, ballads and even a reggae inspired bridge in "Nothing To Say"!! I still say Andi Deris was better in Pink Cream 69. My special digipak version comes with a bonus track, and a pop-up rabbit! Helloween had some Spinal Tap issues during the recording of this album. That resulted in that the initial drummer, Mark Cross (Metalium), only plays on 2 tracks. Mikkey Dee (King Diamond, Motörhead) stepped in to finish the other tracks, and did a blistering job! Now the band have recruited Stefan Schwarzmann (UDO, Running Wild), but he doesn't play a note on the album. New guitarist, Sascha Gerstner, was stolen from Freedom Call. 

Killer tracks: Open Your Life, Liar, Sun 4 The World, Nothing To Say

Once again things have changed with Helloween. Again it's the drummer that has been replaced. Out went Stefan, and in came Dani Löble (ex-Blaze, ex-Rawhead Rexx).

CURRENT LINE-UP (2005-)

(Left pic, left to right: Dani Löble, Markus Grosskopf, Andi Deris, Sascha Gerstner, Michael Weikath)

(Right pic, left to right: Michael Weikath, Andi Deris, Markus Grosskopf, Dani Loeble and Sascha Gerstner (front))

KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS - THE LEGACY (2005) SPV/STEAMHAMMER (2CD)

Some CD's are so hard to do a write-up about, so I end up owning them for months, listening to them over and over, before I even try. This album was such an ordeal for me. Not only have Helloween been one of my favorite bands for ages (although loosing some territory in latter years), but this time around they are also releasing what is supposed to be some sort of follow up to the classic 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' albums. To be quit honest, this is done with the sole purpose to sell more albums, and to ride on the trail of those classics. So how is the result then? Well, besides the dreadful looking cover art, I have mixed emotions. I've read numerous favorable reviews, stating that this is their finest moment since the 'Keeper..'-era, but I can't say that I agree. Sure, they have released yet another double album (that had easily fitted on 1 CD!). And they have delivered 2 more epic-length tracks ("The King For A 1000 Years" & "Occasion Avenue"), and some attempts at humor ("Mrs. God"). But other then that, this has nothing to do with the already aforementioned records. They just don't have those killer memorable songs, with hooks you sing along to instantly, and for days after listening to them. I don't get that spine-chilling feeling from any of the tracks presented. And I am sure this will not go down as yet another classic album, in my book. What I do detect though is that Helloween have delivered a strong album instrumentally. The band haven't sounded better musically in years. The CD's are sprinkled with little parts here and there that puts a smile on my face, be it a guitar-solo, a riff or whatever. So in conclusion, I think this fan might never become a full blown Helloween addict without Michael Kiske being in the band. But I will continue to buy their albums, regardless. Candice Night (Blackmore's Night) makes a duet appearance in "Light The Universe".

Killer tracks: The King For A 1000 Years, The Invisible Man, Pleasure Drone, My Life For One More Day

KEEPER OF THE SEVEN KEYS - THE LEGACY WORLD TOUR 2005/2006 (2007) SPV/STEAMHAMMER (2CD)

I went and saw Helloween on the tour this double live album was recorded at. So this was sort of a nice flashback. What blew me away at the concert was how good Andi was singing the "oldies", and the fact that they actually dared to play both "Keeper of the Seven Keys" and "Halloween". This must have been a life long dream for many a fan, and it was a night to be remembered. One sort of overlooked the fact that the band also chose to play for track from their latest album, and that 2 of those where both clocking in at over 10 minutes. Here it is a little more obvious though. While the old songs still sound great, the new ones don't seem to have the same staying power. At least not the longer tracks. This will never become a classic live album, but it is certainly much better than the poor 'High Live' offering. 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy World Tour 2005/2006' was recorded live in Sao Paulo, which is also used as a title for the double CD. But the last 2 tracks was recorded at other venues, thus getting the bonus tag.

GAMBLING WITH THE DEVIL (2007) SPV/STEAMHAMMER (Limited Edition Digipak w/bonus disc)

What a pleasant surprise this album turned out to be!! I guess having no hopes at all helps! 'Gambling With The Devil' came out faster than I'd expected, with a title, and cover art I had not many kind word to spare for. But then I heard a clip of the opening tack, "Kill It", and suddenly my interest was once again piqued. The mentioned song is easily the heaviest song the band have ever recorded, and it reminds me a lot of "Push", from 'Better Than Raw'. The band follows up with a melodic, but speedy number, in "The Saints". It sounds classic Deris-era Helloween. "As Long As I Fall" has been chosen as the first single from this album. And albeit a tad more commercial (as in deliberate radio/single material), this is another stellar, melodic cut. "Paint A New World" is another choice cut, actually managing to sound like vintage Helloween, fast and furious, but with lots of hooks and melody. And so I can go on with every song on the CD. Fact is, this is maybe the best album with Deris behind the mic, and that is saying a lot. Even the 2 bonus songs on the extra CD that came in this Limited Edition are great, and "See The Night" might be one of my top 10 favorite song ever by these Germans! I've read people complaining about this song, and that song, but I find them all quite satisfactory. Helloween have once again found the band feeling, and they sound more creative than in decades. Gerstner and Loeble have proved to be the right guys for Helloween, and in only 2 short years they managed to make the band tight and dependable. Kudos to Helloween for once again blowing me away, and creating one of the nicest surprises of 2007! The limited edition was supposed to give the die hard fans a chance to enter a special competition. Included in the digipak is a scratch-off card, with a printed riddle. If you unveiled the secret number, and cracked the riddle, you could enter the competition. But due to some laws, I think in the UK, governing contests, they could not limit the contest only to people who bought the limited edition. Thus everyone was invited, on the bands website, to enter the competition. Sadly I was not able to guess the correct answer.

Killer tracks: Every single song are good.

Kai Hansen guest appearances:

HammerFall - 'I Want Out' (single)

HammerFall - 'Renegade' (single)

HammerFall - 'Masterpieces'

Blind Guardian - 'Somewhere Far Beyond'

Michael Kiske - 'Instant Clarity'

Primal Fear - 'Primal Fear'

Angra - 'Angels's Cry'

Avantasia - 'The Scarecrow'

Michael Kiske guest appearances:

Gamma Ray - 'Land Of The Free', 'Rebellion In Dreamland' & 'Somewhere Out In Space'

Masterplan - 'Masterplan'

Edguy - 'Superheroes'

Tribuzy - 'Execution'

Roland Grapow guest appearances:

Kotipelto - 'Waiting For The Dawn'

Axel Rudi Pell - 'The Wizards Chosen Few'

Tribuzy - 'Execution'

Andi Deris guest appearances:

Rage - 'Soundchaser'

Related artists:

Andi Deris, Roland Grapow, Gamma Ray, Michael Kiske, Masterplan, Freedom Call, Avantasia, Running Wild, U.D.O., Sinner, Accept, Blaze, X-Wild, Paradox, Metalium, Firewind, At Vance, Winters Bane