The Story so Far . . .

1979-1983: Helloween's history dates back to 1979 when two guitarists named Kai Hansen and Piet Sielck both
were in a band called "GENTRY" and through different lineup changes through the years they named their band
"IRONFIST" which then featured Ingo Schwichtenberg on drums and Markus Grosskoph on bass. Piet later left
for other reasons and became a sound engineer for bands such as Blind Guardian, Grave Digger, Gamma Ray, and
now has his own project....Iron Savior. Then came in Michael Weikath who left his band "POWERFOOL" for Kai's
band. They then named the band "HELLOWEEN".......

1984: "HELLOWEEN" then recorded 2 songs for a NOISE compliation record called "Death Metal". The first
track was called "Oernst For Life" which Weikath wrote, and the next was a heavier more sloppy and slower
version of "Metal Invaders".

1985: 1985 came around and Helloween then recorded their first what you would call album simply titled Helloween or also known as "The Mini LP". It had 5 tracks, and that same year they released their first full length release titled Walls Of Jericho. In 1986 they released a single EP titled Judas. However Kai found it difficult to sing and play at the same time, so after the tour they searched for a new vocalist.

1986-1987: The band had considered former Tyran Pace vocalist Ralf Scheepers however they ended up finding a
terriffic vocalist from a local band called "ILL PROPHECY", and his name was the ever famous Michael Kiske.
The band then wanted to do a double album but Noise said no, so then they recorded the landmark release Keeper
Of The Seven Keys Part 1. The album gave them worldwide success and went gold in the United States while
charting well in other countries as well as several magazines giving it praise.

1988: The band then took advantage of their now established fan base and recorded their most known
album...Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II. The band achieved even more success around the world as this album
is (i think) their biggest seller and still sells well today!! The album even went gold in the US and has sold close to a
million copies!

That year a replacement was needed since Kai left in 1988 after Keeper II was released and the needed to still
tour, so former "RAMPAGE" guitarist Roland Grapow was picked up and finished the tour with the band. In 1989
a live album called Live In The UK (for Europe)/"Keepers Live" (Japan)/I Want Out Live (USA) was released. It
featured live material with Kai though, and a very tramatic event would happen next with the band.

1990-1991: Helloween wanted to go to a bigger label, and that label was EMI Records and the Sanctuary group
management headed by Rod Smallwood that helped bring the rise to "IRON MAIDEN". Helloween signed with
EMI but Noise Records filed suit that the band had broken their contract with them and therefore Helloween could
not release anything outside of Germany, the U.K., or Japan. This left many fans (especially in America) wondering
what happened to Helloween. Markus, Kai and even Weiki said that the reason they broke their contract was
because everyone but the band was making any money. Kai Hansen also formed Gamma Ray in 1989.

In 1991 the band releases Pink Bubbles Go Ape a great album IMO but not in the eyes of the fans or the media,
rumors about the band breaking up were widespread after the tour for this album. Tensions began to build up
between the band members as well. Pitting Kiske and Ingo against Roland and Weikath with Markus in between
them both.....

1993: Helloween then released what some call their worst album ever...Chameleon. Tensions grew even worse between the band members. Ingo fell ill and was forced to leave the band for the tour, which was not a success...

1994: In 1994 Helloween was signed onto Castle Communications and got a new Vocalist by the name of "Andi
Deris" who came from one of Weiki's favorite bands "PINK CREAM 69". Uli Kusch (formerly of GAMMA RAY)
took up drums. Master Of The Rings was released to great reviews and for the first time since the Keeper era the
band had been getting along and had the same musicial direction in mind. They went back to their roots and it paid
off, the album was released almost a year later on Halloween in the USA with a bonus disk of all the Master Of
The Rings B-sides....

1996: came around and another great release capitalizing on the success of "Master Of The Rings" was released
in the form of the epic The Time Of The Oath. An album with total back to roots intent and that cemented once
again the band's greatness (in my opinion). Tragedy also struck....Ingo Schwichtenberg jumped in front of a train to
commit suicide as well....a tragedy that probably hurt Helloween and its former members....and fans alike. Also a
great Live album called High Live was released!!!! Its 2 cds of pure kickass Helloween with Andi singing on the
Time Of The Oath Tour! Former singer Michael Kiske released his first solo album titled Instant Clarity as well
and recieved praise from magazines everywhere.

1997: Roland Grapow released his first ever solo album called The Four Seasons of Life which had a single for "I
Remember" and featured Ralf Scheepers on one track. Andi Deris also had his first solo album come out called
Come In From The Rain with singles for "1000 Years Away" and "Goodbye Jenny" which was a song about his
grandmother

1998: A boxed set called the The Pumpkin Box was released and contained the best material from 1985-1993 and
featured a 4th disc with interviews on it. And Helloween's most recent album of original material was released in
March and titled Better Than Raw

1999: Roland Grapow began the year off with his newest solo release Kaleidoscope. He then did a very successful
tour of Europe and Brazil as well and this album was recieved well. Markus Grosskopf not too soon after released
his side project titled Shockmachine and featured Uli on the drums. Uli Kusch himself produced and released his
Catch The Rainbow Rainbow tribute album which featured the best of the band Rainbow, re-recorded, and redone
by some of the best musicians in the German metal scene! Former vocalist Michael Kiske also released his second
solo album titled Readiness To Sacrifice. And now we come to the newest release by Helloween titled Metal
Jukebox. Which contains cover tracks done in the Helloween fashion. Ok thats it.....look for more Helloween
history in the making! Cheers!