The band then found an 18-year-old singer, Michael Kiske, from local Hamburg band Ill Prophecy. With its new lead singer, Helloween approached record labels Noise International and RCA and proposed the release of a double-LP to introduce the new line-up. This proposition was turned down. Instead, they recorded a single LP, Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I
, which was released in 1987. In 1988, Helloween released Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II
, the companion album. MTV put the single "I Want Out" into heavy rotation and in support of its "Headbanger's Ball" show. MTV also presented the inaugural Headbanger's Ball Tour with Helloween joining San Francisco Bay area thrash-metal band Exodus in support of headlining act Anthrax. The band was slotted in the prestigious second spot, right before Anthrax's set. On the heels of this exposure to US audiences, the band achieved worldwide success. But unexpectedly guitarist Kai Hansen left the band soon after the European leg of the Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II tour. He was soon replaced by former Rampage guitarist Roland Grapow.
, which was released in 1987. In 1988, Helloween released Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II, the companion album. MTV put the single "I Want Out" into heavy rotation and in support of its "Headbanger's Ball" show. MTV also presented the inaugural Headbanger's Ball Tour with Helloween joining San Francisco Bay area thrash-metal band Exodus in support of headlining act Anthrax. The band was slotted in the prestigious second spot, right before Anthrax's set. On the heels of this exposure to US audiences, the band achieved worldwide success. But unexpectedly guitarist Kai Hansen left the band soon after the European leg of the Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II tour. He was soon replaced by former Rampage guitarist Roland Grapow.
for their new record company, EMI. This album failed both commercially and critically, and tensions started to build amongst the band members. in the United States), featuring material from its 1988 European tour.
The pop-influenced follow-up Chameleon
was released in 1993. Instead of taking a heavier approach, the band ventured into new territory, eschewing its signature double-guitar harmonies for synthesizers, horns, acoustic guitars, a children's chorus, country music, grunge, and swing. As with the previous album, Chameleon failed commercially and critically. During the Chameleon tour, the band would often play to half-filled venues. Drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg and vocalist Michael Kiske was fired.
was released in 1993. Instead of taking a heavier approach, the band ventured into new territory, eschewing its signature double-guitar harmonies for synthesizers, horns, acoustic guitars, a children's chorus, country music, grunge, and swing. As with the previous album, Chameleon failed commercially and critically. During the Chameleon tour, the band would often play to half-filled venues. Drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg and vocalist Michael Kiske was fired.
Helloween returned in 1994 with Andi Deris as its new lead singer and Uli Kusch, on drums. With this new lineup and a new record contract with Castle Communications, Helloween released its comeback album, Master of the Rings
.
.
re-established the band as one of the most popular European metal bands. Following another world tour, a double live album called High Live
was released. In 1998 Helloween released Better Than Raw, one of the band's heaviest albums since the full-length debut. The band would follow Better Than Raw
with a 1999 release titled Metal Jukebox
, a cover-album featuring Helloween's versions of songs from such bands as Jethro Tull, Faith No More, The Beatles, ABBA, and Deep Purple.
The year 2000 saw the release of The Dark Ride, a more experimental and darker album than their previous releases. It came complete with downtuned guitars and a gruffer singing style from Deris. Immediately following the tour, Helloween parted ways with guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch. Their replacements were soon found in guitarist Sascha Gerstner and drummer Mark Cross culminating with the recording of another studio album, titled Rabbit Don't Come Easy, in 2003. Cross could not finish the album due to mononucleosis, completing only two tracks; the drum tracks were completed by Motörhead's Mikkey Dee. Stefan Schwarzmann, former drummer of Running Wild
and Accept
would shortly thereafter take over the drumming duties.
and Accept would shortly thereafter take over the drumming duties.
The next album titled Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy, was released in October 28, 2005 in Germany, and November 8 in the U.S.A. to commercial and critical acclaim. And then album Gambling with the Devil
, released on October 23, 2007. It has received many positive reviews, with most fans praising the album as being one of the best Deris era albums.
, was released in October 28, 2005 in Germany, and November 8 in the U.S.A. to commercial and critical acclaim. And then album Gambling with the Devil, released on October 23, 2007. It has received many positive reviews, with most fans praising the album as being one of the best Deris era albums.
On December 26, 2009, Helloween released the Unarmed – Best of 25th Anniversary album in Japan. The album was released on February 1, 2010 in Europe. The album is a compilation of 10 of the band's best songs, re-recorded in different musical styles than the original recordings and by the current lineup. It features a 17 minute "Keepers Medley", recorded by a 70 piece orchestra from Prague, mixing together "Halloween", "The Keeper of the Seven Keys", and "The King for 1000 years". There is a limited edition digipak, including a 30 minute "making of"-DVD with interviews and studio footage. The bands website states that the album will be released on April 13, 2010 in North America via SONY & THE END RECORDS labels.
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