Michael Kiske - Biography
Biography
Michael Kiske's career in music began at 17, when he was the vocalist of his school band called ILL PROPHECY. He left in order to join HELLOWEEN a band who would become one of the most popular and respected Heavy Metal groups of all time. His dynamic and amazing vocals graced the two classic albums "Keeper of the Seven Keys" - released in 1987 and 1988 - with sales in excess of one million copies worldwide.
During the HELLOWEEN years, Michael Kiske gained his reputation as one of the best singers of the scene and he has been often rumored to join very successful metal bands. Kiske however, after the decision to quit HELLOWEEN following the release of the band's fifth studio album "Chameleon", started to work on his solo career.
He debuted in 1996 with "Instant Clarity", a record that counts former band-mate Kai Hansen and Adrian Smith (IRON MAIDEN) as special guests. The sound style differs from the old work with HELLOWEEN and paved the way for more records ("Readiness To Sacrifice" and the "SupaRed" project) that would have departed him more and more from his roots.
During the winter of 2004 Michael, whose voice is still nowadays regarded as one of the most fascinating of the whole scene in rock (hence his participation in several rock operas including the very successful "Avantasia" and later on "Aina" and "Tribuzy"), accepted to be part of a Melodic Rock oriented project called PLACE VENDOME patronized by Frontiers Records' President Serafino Perugino, together with members of PINK CREAM 69 and VANDENPLAS.
Following a great acclaim from the critics and fans alike, Kiske started to gather again some material to give birth to his long awaited third solo album.
Surrounded by a positive and totally free environment, made of great friends and musicians (Karsten Nagel - an old schoolmate - on drums and Sandro Giampietro and Fontaine Burnett on guitars and bass respectively), Kiske gained again strong confidence with his music and expressive style. The resulting album: "Kiske" is a very personal statement - from the beginning to the end. "It's a healthy-careless and musically free album", says Michael who wanted to tirelessly explore his more melodic and straightforward roots. "I am very proud of this record because it is a true statement from myself", declares the German singer, "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!"
(Source : Official website 28.06.2012)
During the HELLOWEEN years, Michael Kiske gained his reputation as one of the best singers of the scene and he has been often rumored to join very successful metal bands. Kiske however, after the decision to quit HELLOWEEN following the release of the band's fifth studio album "Chameleon", started to work on his solo career.
He debuted in 1996 with "Instant Clarity", a record that counts former band-mate Kai Hansen and Adrian Smith (IRON MAIDEN) as special guests. The sound style differs from the old work with HELLOWEEN and paved the way for more records ("Readiness To Sacrifice" and the "SupaRed" project) that would have departed him more and more from his roots.
During the winter of 2004 Michael, whose voice is still nowadays regarded as one of the most fascinating of the whole scene in rock (hence his participation in several rock operas including the very successful "Avantasia" and later on "Aina" and "Tribuzy"), accepted to be part of a Melodic Rock oriented project called PLACE VENDOME patronized by Frontiers Records' President Serafino Perugino, together with members of PINK CREAM 69 and VANDENPLAS.
Following a great acclaim from the critics and fans alike, Kiske started to gather again some material to give birth to his long awaited third solo album.
Surrounded by a positive and totally free environment, made of great friends and musicians (Karsten Nagel - an old schoolmate - on drums and Sandro Giampietro and Fontaine Burnett on guitars and bass respectively), Kiske gained again strong confidence with his music and expressive style. The resulting album: "Kiske" is a very personal statement - from the beginning to the end. "It's a healthy-careless and musically free album", says Michael who wanted to tirelessly explore his more melodic and straightforward roots. "I am very proud of this record because it is a true statement from myself", declares the German singer, "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!"
(Source : Official website 28.06.2012)