Helloween consists of Andi Deris, Michael Kiske, Michael Weikath, Roland Grapow.
This article is about Metal band Helloween. For All Hallows Eve, see Halloween.
Helloween is a German speed metal/ heavy metal/ power metal band founded in the early '80s by members of the two bands Ironfist and Powerfool. Helloween are known as the major innovators of power metal style in heavy metal genre.
The original line-up featured Kai Hansen (Vocals/Guitars), Michael Weikath (Guitars), Markus Grosskopf (Bass) and Ingo Schwichtenberg (Drums). In 1984 the band had signed a deal with Noise Records (see 1984 in music) and recorded two songs for a Noise compilation record called Death Metal. The two tracks were "Oernst Of Life" by Weikath, and Hansen's "Metal Invaders" which later on ended up in a faster version on the bands first full-length album.
1985 came around and Helloween then recorded their first record Helloween, a self-titled mini-LP containing 5 tracks. The mini-LP was successful, and during that same year they recorded and released their first full-length album titled Walls of Jericho which became a critical smash, with its innovative mixture of speed and melodies redefining heavy metal. However, during the following tour, it became obvious that Kai had difficulties singing and playing the guitar at the same time. Kai's last performance as the band's lead-singer came in 1986 in form of a single EP titled Judas, which contained the song "Judas" along with some live tracks. After that Helloween began the search for a new vocalist...
The first choice was to recruit former Tyran Pace vocalist Ralf Scheepers, however the band ended up finding an 18-year-old talent from the local Hamburg band Ill Prophecy, named Michael Kiske. With their new lead singer they recorded " Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part 1", released in 1987, which established Helloween as one of the most successful Heavy Metal bands in Europe. In 1988 Helloween recorded " Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II", their most well known album featuring the classic line-up. The band achieved even more success around the world than with "Keeper 1" and things were going extremely well.