Michael Kiske launches new Band

[Ragehead91]

According to the Michael Kiske Official Fanclub, former HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske has joined forces with acclaimed bassist and producer Dennis Ward (PLACE VENDOME, PINK CREAM 69) in a brand new, as-yet-unnamed band. A full-length album and tour are planned for 2010.

Commented Kiske: "[This new group] will be the next big thing after HELLOWEEN for me." He added, "I will be myself on stage; whatever feels right these days. It's always the best on stage with a good band and people you like."

Kiske and Ward last collaborated on the second album from PLACE VENDOME, "Streets Of Fire", which was released on February 20 via Frontiers Records. The CD was once again recorded at Ward's studio in Karlsdorf, Germany, with Ward's PINK CREAM 69 bandmate Kosta Zafiriou and Gunther Werno of VANDEN PLAS laying down drums and keyboards, respectively.

[NeverendingAbyss]

I read that!
I hope to see Kiske live soon. It's been a while!

[Mormegil]

I'll certainly keep an eye on this project. But still, sometimes I fantasize about Kiske taking over vocal-duties of Gamma Ray.

[Ragehead91]

I'll certainly keep an eye on this project. But still, sometimes I fantasize about Kiske taking over vocal-duties of Gamma Ray.

In your dreams maybe. I'm still thinking about how awesome that Hansen/Grapow/Kiske Project would've been if they really would've done it.

[Babylon]

Unlike some of the projects he's done lately, this one sounds interesting. I'm sure it'll be worth checking out.

[Ragehead91]

Well, it depends on what sort of music they're playing. If it is that sort of Pop-Rock he is playing on his solo Albums than I don't give a fuck. If it is stuff like Place Vendome, it could be interessting.

[icecab21]

Place vendome is pop rock, it's aor.

[Ragehead91]

Okay, maybe I was a bit unspecific but you get what I mean.

[Babylon]

Well, it depends on what sort of music they're playing. If it is that sort of Pop-Rock he is playing on his solo Albums than I don't give a fuck. If it is stuff like Place Vendome, it could be interessting.

I actually like his solo albums every now and then. Well, Instant Clarity I listen to quite often, but stuff like Readiness to Sacrifice, I have to be "in the mood" for it. I tried to listen to the whole album once while at work and I almost fell asleep.

[Ragehead91]

Well, it depends on what sort of music they're playing. If it is that sort of Pop-Rock he is playing on his solo Albums than I don't give a fuck. If it is stuff like Place Vendome, it could be interessting.

I actually like his solo albums every now and then. Well, Instant Clarity I listen to quite often, but stuff like Readiness to Sacrifice, I have to be "in the mood" for it. I tried to listen to the whole album once while at work and I almost fell asleep.

His solo stuff just bores me to death for the most part and it shows why Helloween didn't let him write more songs. Of all songwriters Helloween ever had he is propably the worst.

[Babylon]

I agree there, his songwriting was rather weak compared to the others.

[Polaris]

Place vendome is pop rock, it's aor.

I thought was Hard Rock!?

Hope Kiske doesn't give up again, & go till the end with this new project!

Good Lucky to him!

[Ragehead91]

I wonder who the other members will be.

[Intiaani]

I agree there, his songwriting was rather weak compared to the others.

For the most part this is true. But then again, Do You Remember a Life? Are you sure you Always do? Man, those are great!

I never heard of this project until now; I must have missed this thread completely. What I think they might be doing is sort of softrock once again, but I don't care. If it's better than his solo stuff, I might like it. Place Vendome actually is pretty great music if you're in a mood for it. Kiske singing metal is too absurd, so they're gonna stick to album oriented I think.

Shit, Kiske in a band? Maybe the best ever... This never happened in time I actually was into metal music before!

Forget the "best ever" part. Just one of the best. And my personal favorite. His vibrato has gone insanely quick in the last couple of years. His style is very calm and wise these days, not soaring his voice away in his 40s like most of the metal singers do. Well, is he a metal singer? No, he's not. I respect remaining true to oneself in any artist, so Kiske gets my full support in whatever he wants to do. I can only hope I'll like it. Anyway, I gladly listen to almost any music so it's pretty much all the same. Except that especially the Kiske album was very boring indeed.

[Ragehead91]

Well, roumor has it that it really will be a melodic Metal album.

But then again, roumor also had it that Kiske would join Maiden back then...

[Mehida]

Well, roumor has it that it really will be a melodic Metal album.

But then again, roumor also had it that Kiske would join Maiden back then...

Seems what is going to be Melodic Metal, is the project he has with Amanda Somerville, Mat Sinner and Magnus Karlsson.
But I think this is more in the vein of "Place Vendome".

[Babylon]

I agree there, his songwriting was rather weak compared to the others.

For the most part this is true. But then again, Do You Remember a Life? Are you sure you Always do? Man, those are great!

Yea I think most of the stuff on Instant Clarity is pretty good. With Helloween, however, I find that his songs were usually my least favorites. Not bad of course, but nowhere near stuff like Eagle Fly Free or March of Time, for example. Either way, I am intrigued about this new project, we'll see.

[Ragehead91]

If Magnus writes songs for him like he did with Allen/Lande, Last Tribe or Starbreaket this could be interessting.

[Intiaani]

Well, roumor has it that it really will be a melodic Metal album.

But then again, roumor also had it that Kiske would join Maiden back then...

Seems what is going to be Melodic Metal, is the project he has with Amanda Somerville, Mat Sinner and Magnus Karlsson.
But I think this is more in the vein of "Place Vendome".

So the conclusion: what they mean about melodic metal is basically closer to Place Vendome than Helloween. Of that I am sure.