Interview : Michael Kiske (Unisonic, ex-Helloween)

Journalists : Louis Eustache & Gregoire Nadji
/ gentlemenchronicles
Michael speaking french : • Michael Kiske (ex-Hell...

[@Heggel]

He seems such a pleasant person, I don't understand why he and Weikath weren't able to solve their differences :/

[@feliperozza]

Fortunately, they were! :-)

I really liked the Interview, light-hearted but informative at the same time. Cool to know Michael is an avid gamer. It is also good to see he has fully recovered that funny/laid back attitude from the old days. I personally would have asked him when and why he became a huge fan of Elvis. Presley is an obvious influence in his style and most people/journalists are only interested in the Dickinson/Geoff Tate comparisons.

[@ZoDonoso]

Very good interview. I like the last part: "Honest, polite and good hearted"

[@MrTheInquisitor]

I really do love this guy

[@joaojr7918]

Best interview I saw with Kiske. Congrats.

[@Benizha2011]

Nice interview!!! I have read a lot of interviews and the questions are usually the same.....I am thankfull that you asked him different questions... Nice to know he will do a solo album soon and nice to know the story behind 'No one ever sees me'........... Great job Louis!!!.... I'll share this interview

[@rudiprude6571]

omg!!! awwwwww HE IS SO FUCKING CUTE LOVE LOVE HIM!! his accent oh gosh

[@BeautyFalse03]

He's perfect. XD

[@MrTheInquisitor]

3:45 "The Calling" from Instant Clarity sounds delicious!

[@Kiskelized]

Very nice interview, the history behind 'No one ever sees me', it looks a great emotional track.

[@j4ce69]

Awesome, Very cool interview, Not the normal sub-standard questions other people would ask. Thanks for this interview/upload. :o)

[@PauloHowlett]

I don't like too many questions about Helloween and he already said he didn't listen to any album of Helloween before he left. I think we should focus more on Unisonic. This interview has many questions about Hellowen, but I'm happy you didn't ask him about Weikath again hahaha, good to see an interview with Kiske where Weiki isn't mentioned.

[@rufus566]

I was talking 82, 83 as when I first heard Power Metal used to describe the Epic Metal scene in the US. The term spread to encompass speed metal which was by 1985 being popularized in Europe by bands like Helloween, Running Wild etc... Helloween being a "power metal" band adapted their sound and created a new style of power metal called European Power Metal. This was a power metal that was happier and more uplifting. Pantera's "power metal" is the speed metal variety mixed with Glam.

[@VortekStarling]

Kiske's hair was actually starting to grow in this vid. All he has to do is not cut it and before long the real Kiske will be back.

[@Mikau-gb8uo]

legend

[@andrastereminiec921]

I'm American & I would've accepted Michi as Metal Churchs' new frontman

[@synthers87]

Очень познавательное интервью.

[@seanjtyose]

michael kiske is such a nice and honest person.

[@PauloHowlett]

Great questions!

[@rufus566]

It was the descriptor for a scene in the early 80s. It included bands like Manowar, Medieval Steel, Manilla Road, Brocas Helm, Warlord etc... It was not really a true "genre" as some of the bands had similarity, but there was not a musical requirement to be part of the scene. In other words, it was an ascetic and the affinity for the storytelling style of the "epic" that bound them together. It was also associated but not limited to the Doom genre (later Epic Doom) and the biker culture.

[@Zelazny86]

Actually, I didn't feel that there were too many questions about Helloween - only a few general, and one specific about Pink Bubbles. Cool interview, Michi is really a very nice guy, I had a chance to talk to him for a moment

[@RainyHime]

"je chante pour Unisonic" ahahahah xD great interview! ...actually it's kind of sad to hear that he's not in touch with Helloween mates anymore

[@realprincelouis]

@PauloSimmonsStanley I understand what you say. But as I mentionned, it was an improvised interview, and it's difficult to balance the questions when nothing is prepared.. And the helloween questions were just the natural evolution of the interview, that's my feeling.

[@realprincelouis]

Agree. Crazy Cat is a great song. Not so metal but...

[@andrastereminiec921]

I would've accepted Michi s the new frontman for CG( Crimson Glory) If he was asked to do it

[@jwillborg]

Great interview! Man it would be cool to play video games with Michael, you should have asked him for his accountname! Haha

[@rufus566]

The Keeper albums are the touchstone for which all other so called Power Metal albums are proven genuine or not. I am not talking about quality, I am talking about style. If they play the style of those two albums they play Power Metal, European Power Metal, German School Power Metal or whatever you want to call it. If they don't then they don't.

[@realprincelouis]

@j4ce69 The best compliment you can give me, thank you !

[@alacamester]

Great interview, thanks 4 sharing! Did you get to listen to the full album (or new songs)? Because you talk about songs that are not pulished yet, and it seemed to me that you heard them...

[@Twomine1988]

A really good and Important question^^

[@jwillborg]

@AresKiske That's already been covered though, he doesn't listen to Helloween anymore, the only thing he heard was some tracks from Master of the Rings and the "Mr Ego" single since he heard it was about him. I think it'd be kind of pointless to ask him what he thinks of Andi as a singer. Better to focus on Unisonic or stuff like his singing technique or something.

[@realprincelouis]

@jwillborg yeaaah i was thinking of that later... But i was already gone... Next time maybe ! I will ask Tobi too

[@realprincelouis]

Already asked in several interviews. His answer : even if he likes the song, no because it was written by Weiki.

[@rufus566]

Well, I agree with too many labels as I intimated back a million posts ago. Nobody likes to be pigeon holed in a marketing genre, but historically they do help to identify trends. Anyway, a genre is something formed by the followers of a band not by the band itself. Helloween played Helloween music, their followers and clones after 1988 played "European" Power Metal (Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius BG etc..).as opposed to "American" Power Metal. There is actually a decent wiki on Power metal.

[@realprincelouis]

"Power metal" is actually an invented term. For him (and Kai), in Helloween and in Unisonic, they just play rock.

[@acdcking1234]

Or heavy metal

[@emiblindside]

thinking better, he is totally right

[@kalmah0202]

His personality changed a lot since helloween.. In a good way.

[@emiblindside]

I would ask if I was the reporter: when will you sing eagle fly free?

[@FreeCityOfAtero]

Pink Bubbles Go Ape is an underrated classic, I think it's miles better than Keepers 2, in any case (though I'm probably alone on that). Chameleon is more hit and miss, there are some fantastic tracks on it (Giants, Music, Longing) but also ones that are just "okay". It's hardly a Helloween album in terms of the band's style, but music-wise, it really isn't as bad as its infamous reputation would suggest. It just requires an open-minded approach.

[@eazye519]

Icarax Keeper of Jericho you're a dumb fuck

[@PauloHowlett]

@GentlemenChronicles Yes, I understand. But at least you didn't ask about Andi Deris as some guy below in the comments wanted to. haha It would be unpleasant.

[@realprincelouis]

I totally agree buddy

[@straightcleaner]

He reminds me of the guy from Ghosthunters nowadays. Cool!

[@realprincelouis]

Actually I don't really care about artificial subgenres but anyway, thanks for all your comments ;)

[@rufus566]

A genre is made from the bands or scene that started the original sound. Helloween although being part of the European Power Metal scene was not Power Metal in itself. They are one of the originators of the sound so cannot be a follower of it. All who follow that era of Helloween can rightly be called by that. Sabbath is Sabbath but St Vitas is Doom because they are followers of Sabbath. Saxon is NWOBHM (the scene) Maiden is just Maiden. Pink Floyd is Pink Floyd, The Beatles are the Beatles.

[@acdcking1234]

rufus566 Priest and Maiden started it helloween refinded it

[@KatyaReminiec9399]

After the pumpkins united tour is over Will Unisonic reunite?

[@realprincelouis]

Not sure it makes sense anymore

[@theearthbelow2169]

I don't care what anyone thinks, I love Pink Bubbles Go Ape, and most of Chameleon! Not as good as their other stuff, but fun records still.

[@eazye519]

TheEarthBelow ya they're good albums they just don't compare to the earlier ones

[@realprincelouis]

Underrated ? Right. But better than a keeper album ? No, be serious aha. Anyway, I'd ne happy if the band (Unisonic or Helloween) played one or two songs on stage from those albums.

[@rufus566]

No here is the better equation Helloween Keeper of the Seven Keys part 1 + Helloween Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2 = Power Metal

[@acdcking1234]

rufus566 even better Priest+Maiden+helloween= power metal

[@realprincelouis]

You know, even the "father of power-metal" doesn't consider his bands as Power-Metal. Also he does'nt really consider it as an existing style. That term is an invention that every media and websites like to repeat. Press release and other stuff are made with wikipedia, most of the time by people who don't know anything about music and foolishly write what they have seen written.

[@MetalHeart8787]

well kind of, Power Metal was used by Hit parader Mag back in 1987 & Pantera have an lp called Power Metal 1988. & some compilations used the term & the Bands on it were NOT "power Metal" i don't have the tape any more but it was from 1987-88. its just another term you are either METAL or you aren't. some mags considered BonJovi & white Lion "Heavy Metal" & most real fans know they are NOT Metal. those bands were considered by me & my Friends as "Metal for Girls.

[@acdcking1234]

MetalHeart8787 I just call those bands rock like kiss its rock not metal but Judas Priest is what I would call the first real metal band that started the trend helloween started fast heavy and melodic metal Maiden helped to but they are not fast like Priest

[@realprincelouis]

Hmm, remind me this the next promo tour. But you know, he's not really into Power Metal.

[@metaljar02]

I agree with your opinion but I just can thumb it up..

[@realprincelouis]

Yes, but my arguments stay true. And the two guys you are talking always described Helloween as "Heavy Metal" and never "Power".

[@realprincelouis]

Sorry ? I'd be really happy to discover your opinion, if only I could understand... Try again in English (or in French, but I don't think you can) !

[@emiblindside]

fuck with nationalism. a great singer is just a great singer everywhere

[@miyomix]

Strange or "different" interview

[@cloudvol7]

I wonder if Kiske likes Burnout? Cause I do.

[@acdcking1234]

Neo Valis the game me too

[@realprincelouis]

In the end of it, none of us is right.

[@miyomix]

Only British fans (and not all) would have not accepted a German as a singer for Iron Maiden, but what about the rest of the world?

[@mjmslim84]

miyomix sort yourself out

[@rufus566]

All so called "Power Metal" is heavy metal, but not Heavy Metal (or Traditional Metal) the subgenre of heavy metal. Power Metal was originally used as the term for bands like Manowar (of the Epic Metal scene) Helloween was of the European style of Power Metal or The German School of Power Metal scene, both codified by the Keeper albums. Of course the band refers to themselves as a genre and not a bygone music scene. Truth is Helloween is Helloween just like Sabbath is not Doom but Sabbath.

[@acdcking1234]

rufus566 disciples of Maiden and Priest too

[@RandallRojasAndres]

I would haved asked him if is it true that germans can not say: squirrel... xD hahaha! just kidding... Id haved asked him sooo much :P

[@MetalHeart8787]

well ive read alot of Metal Mags & never seen that term used till 87, anyway ive seen a Helloween interview with Helloween back in 1987 & they said we are just Metal. European power Metal? come on. its just a term & theres way too many used today. back in 86 when they said "speed Metal" by 88 they were saying Thrash, which to me sounded better & the bands were Faster. its either METAL or its not the STUPID Terms like, Metal core, grind core really PISS me OFF!

[@realprincelouis]

@RandallRojasAndres Germans really can't say "squirrel" ? =D

[@KalypsoKent]

Bleaurgh.

[@realprincelouis]

Kiske would surely score with Schweinsteiger and Podolski

[@Jonas666K]

Det gör dom väll!? De spelar väl på skogsröjet!?

[@Imsleazy666]

Michi would own Bruce, sorry, my opinion

[@mjmslim84]

Jack Lindsay sit down

[@realprincelouis]

"Epic" Metal ? What's that aha. I love Heavy Metal, but we have to admit that all the mess between the genres turn ridiculous.

[@AlexDinamo85]

i think yhe new breed is weaker than old school, indeed, its only remake the old days!!!

[@FreeCityOfAtero]

Oh, I'm quite serious. Keepers 1 is a masterpiece, not going to argue there, but Keepers 2 is a bloated mess of mixed quality. Some great songs, sure, but far too many forgettable and bland ones, too. IMHO, I think Kai Hansen is to blame for this by losing interest in his own band. Keepers 2 is overrated (IMHO) and inconsistent in quality. IMHO Pink Bubbles Go Ape is better than it because the guys at least didn't sound bored while playing and its theme and musical quality remain consistent.

[@mjmslim84]

Deris is better