Helloween is a German power metal band founded in 1984 in Hamburg by members of bands Iron Fist, Gentry, Second Hell and Powerfool. It is said that the band is one of the most influential European heavy metal bands of the 1980s. Its first lineup consisted of singer and guitarist Kai Hansen, bassist Markus Grosskopf, guitarist Michael Weikath and drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg. By the time Hansen left Helloween in 1989 to form Gamma Ray, the band had evolved into a five-piece, with Michael Kiske taking over as lead vocalist. Schwichtenberg and Kiske both parted ways with Helloween in 1993; Schwichtenberg died two years later as the result of suicide. Between then and 2016, there had been numerous line-up changes, leaving Grosskopf and Weikath as the only remaining original members. As a septet, their current lineup is a union of all the living members of the Keeper of the Seven Keys: Parts I and II-era with the remaining members from the Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy-era.
Kai Michael Hansen is a German musician who is the founder, lead guitarist and vocalist of power metal band Gamma Ray. He is also one of the co-founders of another power metal band Helloween, which he was a part of from 1983 to 1989 and rejoined in 2016. He is a prominent figure in power metal and has sold millions of albums worldwide. He is regarded as "the godfather of power metal", having founded two seminal bands in the genre. In 2011, he joined the band Unisonic featuring former Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske. Hansen and Kiske reunited with Helloween in 2017 for a world tour with all current members, celebrating the 30-year anniversary of release of the albums Keeper of the Seven Keys Parts I and II.
Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I is the second studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1987. It marks the first appearance of vocalist Michael Kiske, and is considered the album that created the genre of European-style power metal.
"If I Could Fly" is a power ballad song and single made by German power metal band Helloween, from their album The Dark Ride. The song begins with a grand piano that combines itself with distorted guitars and pounding drums. The lyrics depict a man in a journey of self-discovery. The song was written by Helloween frontman Andi Deris. The song has become one of Helloween's most popular, joining Future World, I Want Out and "Eagle Fly Free" on their live setlists. It was released in some countries as If I Could Fly. In Japan, it was released as Mr. Torture.
"Mrs. God" is a song and single by German power metal band Helloween from their album Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy. The song is about the emancipation of women, showing Helloween's sense of humour. It was written by the band's vocalist Andi Deris.
"Light the Universe" is a song and a single made by German power metal band Helloween from their album Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy. It features Candice Night from Blackmore's Night as co-vocalist. Light The Universe is exclusive track for the Japanese version of the single.
"Dr. Stein" is a song by German power metal band Helloween. Taken from the 1988 album Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II, the song remains one of the band's most popular songs, and is played live at virtually every Helloween concert. The lyrics are based on the 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.
"Windmill" is a song and a single made by German power metal band Helloween taken from the album Chameleon. This single has the same b-sides as the single Step Out of Hell, and the same cover. "Windmill" was released in Europe and "Step Out of Hell" in Japan.
"I Want Out" is a song by German power metal band Helloween from the album Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II, that was released as a single in 1988.
"Step Out of Hell" is a song and single made by German power metal band Helloween taken from the album Chameleon. The song is written by Roland Grapow about Ingo Schwichtenberg's problems with drugs and drinking. This single has the same b-sides as the single "Windmill", and the same cover. "Windmill" was released in Europe and "Step Out of Hell" in Japan.
"Kids of the Century" is a song and single by German power metal band Helloween taken from the album Pink Bubbles Go Ape. This is the first Helloween single with Roland Grapow playing guitars, replacing Kai Hansen.
"When the Sinner" is a song and a single by German power metal band Helloween from the album Chameleon.
"I Don't Wanna Cry No More" is a song and single by German power metal band Helloween from the album Chameleon. This song was dedicated to Roland Grapow's brother Rainer.
"Perfect Gentleman" is a song and single by German power metal band Helloween, taken from the album Master of the Rings.
"Sole Survivor" is a song and a single by German power metal band Helloween from the album Master of the Rings. On "Closer to Home", the lead vocals are sung by Roland Grapow. The song has been covered by the Swedish power metal band Dragonland on their third album 'Starfall'.
"Power" is a song and single by German power metal band Helloween, taken from the album The Time of the Oath.
"The Time of the Oath" is a song and a single by German power metal band Helloween from the album also named The Time of the Oath.
"Forever and One (Neverland)" is a power ballad by German power metal band Helloween from the album The Time of the Oath and composed by lead vocalist Andi Deris. The German version of the single contains a live version of "In the Middle of a Heartbeat" from their album High Live.
"As Long as I Fall" is a song by German power metal band Helloween, released as the single from their album Gambling with the Devil on 27 September 2007. This song marks the first time that Helloween have released a single as download only, although it was available as a CD in Japan. Though it has a darker approach in the verses, the song turns quite happy in the chorus. The lyrics are about the lack of civil courage.
