Helloween(english version)

History

Walls of Jericho (1984-1986)


Helloween formed in 1984 in Hamburg, Germany. The original line-up included Kai Hansen on vocals and guitar, Michael Weikath on guitar, Markus Grosskopf on bass, and Ingo Schwichtenberg on drums. That year, the band signed with Noise Records and recorded two songs for a Noise compilation record called Death Metal. The compilation featured the bands Hellhammer, Running Wild, and [Blood Avenger (band)]. The two tracks were "Oernst of Life" by Weikath and Hansen's "Metal Invaders," a faster version of which would appear on the band's first full-length album.
Helloween recorded and released its first record in 1985, a self-titled EP containing 5 tracks. Also that year, the band released its first full-length album, Walls of Jericho. During the following concert tour, Hansen had difficulties singing and playing the guitar at the same time. Kai's last recording as the band's lead singer was in 1986 on an EP titled Judas, which contained the song "Judas" and two other live tracks. Following these releases, Helloween began the search for a new vocalist.
[edit] Keeper of the Seven Keys, Parts I & II (1986-1989)
The band found an 18-year-old singer, Michael Kiske, from a local Hamburg band named Ill Prophecy. With their new lead singer in tow, Helloween approached record labels Noise International and RCA and proposed the release of a double-LP to introduce the new line-up. This proposition was turned down. Instead, they recorded a single LP, Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I, which was released in 1987. In 1988, Helloween released Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II, the companion album. MTV put the single "I Want Out" into heavy rotation and in support of its "Headbanger's Ball" show. MTV also presented the inaugural Headbanger's Ball Tour with Helloween joining San Francisco Bay area thrash-metal band Exodus in support of headlining act Anthrax. The band was slotted in the prestigious second spot, right before Anthrax's set. On the heels of this exposure to US audiences, the band achieved worldwide success.
Guitarist Kai Hansen unexpectedly left the band soon after the European leg of the Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II tour, due to conflicts within the band, troubles with Noise International, and a growing dissatisfaction with life on tour. He was soon replaced by former Rampage guitarist Roland Grapow, who finished the rest of the tour with the band.
[edit] Pink Bubbles Go Ape and Chameleon (1989-1993)
In 1989 the band released a live album called Live in the U.K. (Keepers Live in Japan and I Want Out Live in the United States), featuring material from its 1988 European tour. The remaining members continued on, but ran into label problems with Noise, and after litigation kept them from touring and releasing new material, they were eventually released from their contract. A new album would not appear until 1991 when, after several rumors about the band's breaking up, they released Pink Bubbles Go Ape for their new record company, EMI. The album was less heavy, and with song titles such as "Heavy Metal Hamsters", "I'm Doing Fine, Crazy Man", and "Shit and Lobster", showed a shift toward — and an emphasis on — humor rather than the epic moods on previous releases. As a result, Pink Bubbles Go Ape failed both commercially and critically, and tensions started to build amongst the band members.[1]
The pop-influenced follow-up Chameleon was released in 1993. Instead of taking a heavier approach, the band ventured into new territory, eschewing its signature double-guitar harmonies for synthesizers, horns, acoustic guitars, a children's chorus, country music, grunge, and swing. As with the previous album, Chameleon failed commercially and critically.[1] Tensions within Helloween worsened, and the band split into three factions, with Michael Kiske and Ingo Schwichtenberg on one side, Michael Weikath and Roland Grapow on the other, and Markus Grosskopf in the middle, trying to keep peace between the four men.
[edit] Kiske's departure
Shortly after, the band began to disintegrate. During the Chameleon tour, the band would often play to half-filled venues. Drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg fell ill due to mental and drug-related issues, and was eventually fired, replaced by session drummer Ritchie Abdel-Nabi. Meanwhile, the conflicts within the rest of the band worsened, with Michael Weikath refusing to work any longer with Michael Kiske. The decision was made to fire Kiske. Since his firing, Kiske has not spoken positively about Helloween. In May 2008, Kiske released Past In Different Ways; an album featuring most of his old Helloween songs, albeit rearranged and re-recorded acoustically.
In addition to the firing of Kiske, Abdel-Nabi, whose inability to replicate Schwichtenberg's machine-gun style of drumming hindered Helloween's ability to play live fan-favorites like "Eagle Fly Free" and "How Many Tears", was let go by the band. 1993 would come to a close for Helloween with no singer, no drummer, and no record contract (EMI released the band from its agreement for the low sales numbers for Pink Bubbles Go Ape and Chameleon).
[edit] Master of the Rings, The Time of the Oath and Better Than Raw (1994-1999)
Helloween returned in 1994 with former Pink Cream 69 frontman Andi Deris as its new lead singer and Uli Kusch, formerly of Kai Hansen's Gamma Ray, on drums. Deris had been approached by Weikath to join the band in 1991, but he had declined, despite being intrigued by the offer and having to deal with emerging conflicts between him and his band. In the years since, however, Kiske was fired from Helloween and the issues within Pink Cream 69 worsened. Faced with the inevitability of his firing, Deris accepted Weikath's offer. Despite not possessing the four-octave range boasted by Kiske, Deris's vocal similarity to Kai Hansen, his enthusiasm, his strong songwriting skills, the return of the "classic" Helloween sound in songs such as "Where the Rain Grows" and "The Game Is On," and the seeming rejuvenation of Weikath and Grapow seemed to strike a chord with the fans. With this new lineup and a new record contract with Castle Communications, Helloween released its comeback album, Master of the Rings.
In 1995, original drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg committed suicide by jumping in front of a train in his native Hamburg. In the years since his departure from Helloween, Schwichtenberg had gotten involved in drug-use and suffered from depression. Dedicated to his memory, 1996's The Time Of The Oath re-established the band as one of the most popular European metal bands (see 1996 in music). Following another world tour, a double live album called High Live was released. In 1998 Helloween released Better Than Raw, one of the band's heaviest albums since the full-length debut. The subsequent supporting tour was made up of stops in Europe, Japan, and Brazil, but on December 20, 1998, the band visited New York and played a show at the venue Coney Island High in Manhattan, the first show for Helloween in the United States in nearly a decade. The band would follow Better Than Raw with a 1999 release titled Metal Jukebox, a cover-album featuring Helloween's versions of songs from such bands as Jethro Tull, Faith No More, The Beatles, ABBA, and Deep Purple.
[edit] The Dark Ride and Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2000-2004)
The year 2000 saw the release of The Dark Ride, a more experimental and darker album than their previous releases. It came complete with downtuned guitars and a gruffer singing style from Deris. Immediately following the tour, Helloween parted ways with guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch. One version of events states that Weikath, Deris and Grosskopf felt that Kusch and Grapow, in particular, were spending more time on and paying more attention to their new side-project, Masterplan (Grapow's output on Helloween albums had dropped to barely one song per album by that point); since the others believed that Kusch and Grapow were not 100% dedicated to Helloween they were dismissed. Another version states that Grapow and Kusch had pushed to continue the direction that the band had taken with The Dark Ride and that Weikath, not wanting a repetition of the Kiske situation, huddled with Deris and Grosskopf, whereby the decision was made to get rid of them. In any case, they were fired, via e-mail (with Grapow's wife finding out before he did that he had been fired), and decided to make Masterplan their full-time band. They were replaced by guitarist Sascha Gerstner (ex-Freedom Call, Neumond), and drummer Mark Cross (ex-Metalium, Kingdom Come, At Vance, Firewind), culminating with the recording of another studio album, titled Rabbit Don't Come Easy, in 2003. Cross could not finish the album due to mononucleosis, completing only two tracks; the drum tracks were completed by Motörhead's Mikkey Dee. Stefan Schwarzmann, former drummer of Running Wild and Accept would shortly thereafter take over the drumming duties. Despite a somewhat tepid response to the album, Helloween nonetheless completed a successful world tour, highlighted by the return of classic songs such as "Starlight", "Murderer", "Keeper of the Seven Keys" and "How Many Tears" to the setlist. Additionally, the band toured the United States for the first time since 1989 playing to sold-out crowds at nearly every venue.
[edit] Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy and Gambling with the Devil (2005-2008)
2005 saw yet another line-up change, following the "Rabbits on the Run" tour, as it became apparent that Helloween and Stefan Schwarzmann did not share the same musical vision. As further noted by the band, he had some trouble performing fast drum parts, so he was replaced by Dani Löble, the former drummer of German metal band Rawhead Rexx. A change in record company also followed as they inked a deal with German label SPV. Any fears that what had now become a revolving door of band members would affect the quality of their new album were laid to rest as Helloween's new studio album, titled Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy, was released on October 28, 2005 in Germany, and November 8 in the U.S.A. to commercial and critical acclaim. The album had a pre-release single, "Mrs. God", as well as a video for the track. The track "Light the Universe" was released as a single on November 22, featuring Candice Night of Blackmore's Night on guest vocals. She also appears in the video clip for that track.
In late 2006, Helloween filmed and recorded shows in São Paulo (Brazil), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Tokyo (Japan), for their live album Keeper of the Seven Keys – The Legacy World Tour 2005/2006. The DVD also featured extra footage of the band as well as interviews and a road movie. This is the second Helloween live album to feature Andi Deris as frontman, and third overall. It enjoyed chart success in several countries: Germany: 9 (DVD) & 58 (CD), Sweden: 9 (DVD), France: 10 (DVD)[2] Helloween has since completed their studio album Gambling with the Devil, which was released on October 23, 2007. It received many positive reviews, with most fans praising the album as being one of the best Deris era albums. Despite being one of Helloween's heaviest albums, it is noted for featuring more keyboards. "As Long as I Fall", the first single, was released in early September and available only via download (save for Japan, where it was released on CD). The video for the song is available at their official site.[3]
Helloween teamed up with Kai Hansen's current band Gamma Ray for their 2007/2008 "Hellish Rock" world tour, which started in early November 2007. Helloween were headlining and Gamma Ray were labeled as the "very special guest" with most shows also having fellow German "guest" Axxis. The tour went through Europe, Asia, South America as well as a few dates in the US. The tour is notable for Kai Hansen stepping on stage with his former band fellows Weikath and Grosskopf to perform hits "I Want Out" and "Future World" in the last encore segment of Helloween.[4]
[edit] Unarmed - Best of 25th Anniversary (2009)
On December 26, 2009, Helloween released the Unarmed – Best of 25th Anniversary album in Japan. The album was released on February 1, 2010 in Europe. The album is a compilation of 10 of the band's best known songs, re-recorded in different musical styles than the original recordings and by the current lineup. It features a 17 minute "Keepers Medley", recorded by a 70 piece orchestra from Prague, mixing together "Halloween", "The Keeper of the Seven Keys", and "The King for 1000 years". There is a limited edition digipak, including a 30 minute "making of"-DVD with interviews and studio footage. The bands website states that the album was released on April 13, 2010 in North America via Sony & THE END RECORDS labels.[5] On May 14, 2010, it was announced on their site that they are working on a new studio album,[6] which would be their fastest and heaviest effort in years.
[edit] 7 Sinners (2010)
Helloween released their brand new album, 7 Sinners, on October 31 in Europe and November 3 in the US. Before its physical release, the band made it available worldwide for streaming via its Myspace page. The name of the album alludes to the seven deadly sins which, according to Andi Deris, it goes straight to the point "after an acoustic album, we needed definitely something that shows the people without any question that this is a metal album".[7] The band has started a tour to promote the album. They are joined in concerts by Stratovarius and Trick or Treat/Pink Cream 69 as their guests.[8][9] Its been announced on April 5, 2011, Via the bands website that 7 Sinners has now been awarded 'Gold status' in Czech republic alone.[10]
[edit] Members
Main article: List of Helloween band members
• Andi Deris – lead vocals (1993–present)
• Michael Weikath – lead guitar (1984–present)
• Sascha Gerstner – guitar (2002–present)
• Markus Grosskopf – bass (1984–present)
• Daniel Löble – drums (2005–present)
Era Lineup Album(s)
1984–1986 • Kai Hansen – vocals, guitar
• Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
• Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
• Ingo Schwichtenberg – drums
• Helloween (1985)
• Walls of Jericho (1985)

1986–1989 • Michael Kiske – vocals
• Michael Weikath — guitar, backing vocals
• Kai Hansen — guitar, backing vocals
• Markus Grosskopf — bass, backing vocals
• Ingo Schwichtenberg — drums • Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 (1987)
• Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2 (1988)
1989–1993 • Michael Kiske — vocals
• Michael Weikath — guitar, backing vocals
• Roland Grapow – guitar, backing vocals
• Markus Grosskopf — bass, backing vocals
• Ingo Schwichtenberg — drums • Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991)
• Chameleon (1993)

1993–2001 • Andi Deris – vocals
• Michael Weikath — guitar, backing vocals
• Roland Grapow — guitar, backing vocals
• Markus Grosskopf — bass, backing vocals
• Uli Kusch – drums, backing vocals • Master of the Rings (1994)
• The Time of the Oath (1996)
• Better Than Raw (1998)
• The Dark Ride (2000)

2001-2003[11]
• Andi Deris — vocals
• Michael Weikath — guitars, backing vocals
• Sascha Gerstner — guitars, backing vocals
• Markus Grosskopf — bass, backing vocals
• Mark Cross – drums
• Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003)

2003–2005 • Andi Deris — vocals
• Michael Weikath — guitars, backing vocals
• Sascha Gerstner — guitars, backing vocals
• Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
• Stefan Schwarzmann – drums
• Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003)

2005–present • Andi Deris – vocals
• Michael Weikath – guitar, backing vocals
• Sascha Gerstner – guitar, backing vocals
• Markus Grosskopf – bass, backing vocals
• Daniel Löble – drums
• Keeper of the Seven Keys - The Legacy (2005)
• Gambling with the Devil (2007)
• Unarmed - Best of 25th Anniversary (2009)
• 7 Sinners (2010)

[edit] Session members
• Mikkey Dee – drums (2003)
[edit] Former tour-only members
• Jorn Ellerbrock – keyboards (1988–2003)
• Ritchie Abdel Nabi – drums (1993)
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
• Helloween (1985)
• Walls of Jericho (1985)
• Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1 (1987)
• Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2 (1988)
• Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991)
• Chameleon (1993)
• Master of the Rings (1994)
• The Time of the Oath (1996)
• Better Than Raw (1998)
• Metal Jukebox (1999)
• The Dark Ride (2000)
• Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003)
• Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy (2005)
• Gambling with the Devil (2007)
• Unarmed – Best of 25th Anniversary (2009)
• 7 Sinners (2010)
[edit] Singles
• "Judas" (1986)
• "Future World" (1987)
• "Dr. Stein" (1988)
• "Save Us" (1988)
• "I Want Out" (1988)
• "Kids of the Century" (1991)
• "Number One" (1992)
• "When the Sinner" (1993)
• "Windmill" (1993)
• "Step Out of Hell" (1993)
• "I Don't Wanna Cry No More" (1993)
• "Mr. Ego" (1994)
• "Where the Rain Grows" (1994)
• "Perfect Gentleman" (1994)
• "Sole Survivor" (1995)
• "The Time of the Oath" (1996)
• "Power" (1996)
• "Forever and One" (1996)
• "Forever and One Live" (1996)
• "Hey Lord!" (1998)
• "I Can" (1998)
• "Lay All Your Love on Me" (1999)
• "If I Could Fly" (2000)
• "Mr. Torture" (2000)
• "Just a Little Sign" (2003)
• "Mrs. God" (2005)
• "Light the Universe" (2006)
• "As Long as I Fall" (2007)
• "Find my Freedom" (2008)
• "Are You Metal?" (2010)
[edit] DVDs
• The Pumpkin Video (2000)
• High Live (2000)
• Hellish Videos (2005)
• Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy: Live On 3 Continents (2007)
[edit] VHS
• The Pumpkin Video (1994)
• High Live (1996)
[edit] Live albums
• I Want Out Live (1989)
• Keepers Live (1989) Jap
• Live in the UK (1989)
• High Live (1996)
• The Legacy World Tour 2005/2006 Live in Sao Paulo (2007)
[edit] Compilations
• Pumpkin Tracks (1989)
• The Best, The Rest, The Rare (1991)
• Pumpkin Box (1998)
• Karaoke Album vol. 1 (1998)
• Karaoke Album vol. 2 (1998)
• Treasure Chest (2002)
• Unarmed – Best of 25th Anniversary (2009)
[edit] Tribute
• The Eastern Tribute to Helloween (1999)
• The Keepers of Jericho - Part I (2000)
• The Keepers of Jericho - Part II (2002)
• Trick or Treat - Tribute Live (2003)
[edit] References
1. ^ a b "Official Helloween Website: History". http://www.helloween.org/band/history.html. Retrieved 2009-05-17.[dead link]
2. ^ "HELLOWEEN: 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' Live DVD/CD Chart Positions Revealed". BlabberMouth. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=68414.
3. ^ Official Helloween Website: Videos[dead link]
4. ^ Official Helloween Website: Hellish Rock 2007/2008[dead link]
5. ^ Helloween Official Website: UNARMED Best of 25th Anniversary
6. ^ Official Helloween Website: HELLOWEEN ARMED AGAIN!
7. ^ Helloween interview by Mandah from VerdamMnis
8. ^ Helloween Official Website: The 7 Sinners World Tour 2010/11
9. ^ Trick or Treat website
10. ^ "7 SINNERS reaches Gold status in Czech Republic!". Helloween.org. http://helloween.org/home/208-7-sinners-reaches-gold-status-in-czech-republic.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
11. ^ [1][dead link]
[edit] External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Helloween

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Helloween

• Official website
• MetalPaths interview
[hide]v • d • eHelloween


Andi Deris • Michael Weikath • Sascha Gerstner • Markus Grosskopf • Daniel Löble
Kai Hansen • Michael Kiske • Ingo Schwichtenberg • Roland Grapow • Uli Kusch • Mark Cross • Stefan Schwarzmann


Studio albums Walls of Jericho • Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1 • Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2 • Pink Bubbles Go Ape • Chameleon • Master of the Rings • The Time of the Oath • Better Than Raw • The Dark Ride • Rabbit Don't Come Easy • Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy • Gambling with the Devil • 7 Sinners


Extended plays Helloween


Live albums Live in the U.K. • High Live • Keeper of the Seven Keys – The Legacy World Tour 2005/2006


Compilations Pumpkin Tracks • The Best, The Rest, The Rare • Karaoke Remix Vol.1 • Karaoke Remix Vol.2 • Metal Jukebox • Treasure Chest • Unarmed – Best of 25th Anniversary


Singles "Judas" • "Future World" • "Dr. Stein" • "I Want Out" • "Kids of the Century" • "Number One" • "Windmill" • "When the Sinner" • "I Don't Wanna Cry No More" • "Mr. Ego" • "Perfect Gentleman" • "Sole Survivor" • "Power" • "The Time of the Oath" • "Forever and One Live" • "I Can" • "Hey Lord!" • "Lay All Your Love On Me" • "If I Could Fly" • "Just a Little Sign" • "Mrs. God" • "Light the Universe" • "As Long as I Fall" • "Find My Freedom" • "Are You Metal?"


Videos The Pumpkin Video • High Live • Hellish Videos • Live on 3 Continents


Related articles Discography • Keeper of the Seven Keys • Bassinvaders • Rawhead Rexx • Pink Cream 69 • Gamma Ray • Masterplan • Freedom Call • Place Vendome • Kiske/Somerville • Beautiful Sin • Ride the Sky • Symfonia • Iron Savior

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Genres
Heavy metal, power metal, speed metal

Years active 1983–present
Labels
Noise, RCA, EMI, Castle, Nuclear Blast, Steamhammer/SPV

Associated acts Gamma Ray, Iron Savior, Masterplan, Blind Guardian, Freedom Call, Bassinvaders, Iron Fist, Powerfool, Pink Cream 69

Website helloween.org

Members
Andi Deris
Michael Weikath
Sascha Gerstner
Markus Grosskopf
Dani Löble

Past members
Kai Hansen
Michael Kiske
Ingo Schwichtenberg
Roland Grapow
Uli Kusch
Mark Cross
Stefan Schwarzmann

Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was known as the pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their third studio album, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2, is considered a masterpiece of the genre.
Contents
[hide]
• 1 History
o 1.1 Walls of Jericho (1984-1986)
o 1.2 Keeper of the Seven Keys, Parts I & II (1986-1989)
o 1.3 Pink Bubbles Go Ape and Chameleon (1989-1993)
 1.3.1 Kiske's departure
o 1.4 Master of the Rings, The Time of the Oath and Better Than Raw (1994-1999)
o 1.5 The Dark Ride and Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2000-2004)
o 1.6 Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy and Gambling with the Devil (2005-2008)
o 1.7 Unarmed - Best of 25th Anniversary (2009)
o 1.8 7 Sinners (2010)
• 2 Members
o 2.1 Session members
o 2.2 Former tour-only members
• 3 Discography
o 3.1 Studio albums
o 3.2 Singles
o 3.3 DVDs
o 3.4 VHS
o 3.5 Live albums
o 3.6 Compilations
o 3.7 Tribute
• 4 References
• 5 External links


...................................................................................

HISTORY OF ULI JON ROTH

Ulrich Roth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For the West German handball player, see Ulrich Roth (handballer).
Ulrich Roth
Also known as Uli Jon Roth
Born 18 December 1954 (1954-12-18) (age 56)
Düsseldorf, West Germany
Genres Heavy metal, neo-classical metal, hard rock, psychedelic rock
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 1968–present
Labels SPV
Associated acts Scorpions, Dawn Road, Electric Sun, Sky of Avalon, G3
Website Official website
Notable instruments
Custom "Sky Guitar"

Ulrich Roth (born 18 December 1954), more commonly known as Uli Jon Roth, is a German guitarist and one of the earliest contributors to the neo-classical metal genre. He is also the founder of Sky Academy and inventor of the Sky Guitar. He is the older brother of fellow guitarist and artist Zeno Roth.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Career
* 2 Sky guitars
* 3 Playing style
* 4 Personal life
* 5 Influence
* 6 Releases
o 6.1 Discography
o 6.2 Videography
* 7 Notable public appearances
* 8 References
* 9 External links

[edit] Career

In the early 1970s, Roth formed a band called Dawn Road. In 1973, guitarist Michael Schenker left the Scorpions to join UFO and the group disbanded. The two remaining Scorpions members, Rudolf Schenker and Klaus Meine merged with the four members of Dawn Road, (Uli Jon Roth, Achim Kirschning, Francis Buchholz, Jürgen Rosenthal) using the name Scorpions as they were more well known than Dawn Road.[1]

During his tenure as lead guitarist, main songwriter and occasional lead singer for the Scorpions, the band released four studio albums between 1974 and 1977. In 1978, the Scorpions released the live album Tokyo Tapes, which was recorded in Japan and sold nearly one million copies and went gold in several countries. However, Roth had left the band before the album’s release.

Roth formed his own band named Electric Sun which released three albums. The first, Earthquake (1979), was dedicated to the spirit of Jimi Hendrix. A second album released two years later, Fire Wind (1981), was dedicated to Anwar el-Sadat (the assassinated President of Egypt who had tried to make peace in the Middle East), and featured a song called "Enola Gay" about the atomic bombing of Japan.

In 1985, Roth released his third and final Electric Sun album, Beyond the Astral Skies, dedicated to Martin Luther King and to Roth's fans.

After Electric Sun, Roth entered a new phase of creative work, composing four symphonies and two concertos, and sometimes performing with symphony orchestras throughout Europe. Roth used the name ‘Uli Jon Roth’ for all subsequent album releases and concert appearances.

The G3 European tour of 1998 featured Roth playing with Joe Satriani and Michael Schenker. The tour show at London Wembley Arena also featured a jam with Brian May.

Roth played at the outdoor rock festival at Castle Donington in 2001 (also featuring original Scorpions lead guitarist Michael Schenker on the bill), and this was filmed and subsequently released on DVD.

Roth appeared in concert with the Scorpions onstage at the Wacken Open Air Festival in 2006 along with two other former members of the band. Billed as “A Night To Remember, A Journey Through Time”, the Scorpions played four songs from the Roth era, most of which they hadn’t played live since Roth had left in 1978. The concert was filmed and released on DVD.[2]

Although this was meant to be a ‘one night only’ special event, its success meant that the format was repeated on several tours afterwards.

On 2 June 2007 at the Rock am Ring festival in Germany, Roth joined The Smashing Pumpkins on stage for their epic closing song "Gossamer". He made another appearance with the Pumpkins upon their return to Germany on 26 February 2008.

In 2007, Roth had begun working on a new full-length studio album, which was to be released the following year. The title of the album would be "Under A Dark Sky" and was going to be the first official release in the long-awaited series of Symphonic Legends - a cycle of music written by Uli for his all-encompassing Sky of Avalon project.

Roth first debuted songs from "Under A Dark Sky" on 18 July 2008 in his headline set at the G-TARanaki Guitar Festival in New Zealand, Roth's debut concert in the country. In the week previous Roth had taken his "Sky Academy" tuition classes to regional Taranaki towns in Waitara, Inglewood and Opunake with guests Vernon Reid and Gilby Clarke.

"Under A Dark Sky" was released in Japan on 20 August 2008 via Marquee records. The European and USA releases followed a month later on 20 September 2008 on the SPV record label.
[edit] Sky guitars

In the 1980s, Roth commissioned construction of custom guitars with additional frets from master luthier Andreas Demetriou. Andreas developed the concept adding many unique specifications. Uli Jon Roth has had five of these "Sky" guitars handcrafted by the British luthier. To be able to emulate the high notes of a violin, all of the Sky Guitars contain extra frets. The first Sky Guitar (used on the album Beyond the Astral Skies) has 30 frets. Later versions of the Sky Guitar overcame the problem of the higher register frets becoming too narrow by widening the frets by whole steps for the highest notes. In an April 2001 Guitar Player Magazine interview, Roth reports that the guitars are either fretless above the 30th fret or have whole step fret spacing above the 27th fret, with 35 effective (half step) frets. All of the Sky guitars with frets have extensive fretboard scalloping as is favored by Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen (who was influenced greatly by Roth) and many neoclassical metal guitarists. The Sky guitar's pickups are custom 4-coil humbuckers made by John Oram, with one guitar having an Oram pickup hidden under the 24th fret.[3] The guitars named 'Mighty Wing' and 'Destiny' have 7 strings and the others have 6 strings. The 7th string is a low B.[4] Roth preferred amplifier is currently the Framus Dragon, and he uses a stalk mounted Vibesware guitar resonator (sustainer) to introduce infinite sustain during solos[5] both live, and on the song "Benediction" from "Under a Dark Sky".
[edit] Playing style

In Roth's early days with Scorpions, his soloing style was more blues based but with notes from other scales thrown in here and there. By the time the band recorded the Virgin Killer album, he began incorporating elements from European classical music including pedal tone oriented riffs and licks, as well as sweep picking. This style became his signature beginning with Electric Sun where his solos became much more technical and classically influenced. Most notable in songs like "Cast Away Your Chains" and "Still So Many Lives Away". Overall, he tends to combine the bluesier, more classic rock oriented style with the more technical side. He mostly uses scales like major and minor pentatonic, the blues scale, phrygian, harmonic minor, diminished, and the whole tone scale(notably in his famous "Sails Of Charon" solo).
[edit] Personal life

Roth was romantically involved with artist Monika Dannemann who had previously been Jimi Hendrix's girlfriend when he died. Roth and Danneman collaborated together on various songs including ‘We'll Burn the Sky’ from the Scorpions’ Taken by Force album in 1977.

Danneman also painted the album sleeves for all three of the releases by Electric Sun.

In 1996 Monika Dannemann was convicted of breaking a British High Court order not to repeat allegations that Kathy Etchingham was an "inveterate liar" for accusing her of playing a role in Jimi Hendrix's death. Etchingham asked the judge to jail Dannemann but she was released. Two days later Monika Dannemann was found dead in a fume-filled Mercedes-Benz near her cottage in Seaford, East Sussex, aged 50. Her death was ruled a suicide,[6] but Roth publicly stated his opinion that her passing had been the result of foul play. Roth dedicated later works to the memory of Dannemann.

Roth is a Christian.[7]
[edit] Influence

Roth has been on the covers of many guitar magazines and has influenced many notable guitar players, including Marty Friedman, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kirk Hammett, Joe Stump,[8] Gus G,[9] Andy DiGelsomina,[10] Michael Romeo,[11] James Byrd,[12] Alex Masi, Michael Amott, and Chris Amott.
[edit] Releases
[edit] Discography

With Scorpions

* Fly to the Rainbow (1974) - Guitar, vocals
* In Trance (1975) - Guitar, vocals
* Virgin Killer (1976) - Guitar, vocals
* Taken by Force (1977) - Guitar, vocals
* Tokyo Tapes (live recording, 1978) - Guitar, vocals

With Electric Sun

* Earthquake (1979) - Guitar, vocals
* Fire Wind (1981) - Guitar, vocals
* Beyond the Astral Skies (1985) - Lead/harmony vocals, guitar, keyboard, bass

Solo and classical works (released)

* 1991 - Aquila Suite - 12 Arpeggio Concert Etudes for Solo Piano
* 1996 - Sky of Avalon - Prologue to the Symphonic Legends (with Sky Orchestra)
* 2000 - Transcendental Sky Guitar Vol. I & II
* 2003 - Metamorphosis of Vivaldi's Four Seasons (with Sky Orchestra)
* 2008 - Under A Dark Sky (Sky of Avalon)

Solo and classical works (unreleased)

* 1987 - Sky Concerto
* 1992 - Europa ex Favilla (symphony)
* 1994 - Hiroshima de Profundis (symphony)
* 1996/97/98 - Requiem for an Angel (dedicated to the memory of Monika Dannemann)

[edit] Videography

* 2000 - The Electric Sun Years Vol. I & II (in the Historical Performances series)
* 2002 - Legends Of Rock: Live At Castle Donington
* 2006 - Scorpions Reunion at Wacken Festival in Germany

[edit] Notable public appearances

* 1991 - Live TV Concert at E-Werk, Cologne "The Spirit of Jimi Hendrix" with Jack Bruce, Simon Phillips, Randy Hansen, John Wetton, Michael Flexig,[13] Zeno and others
* 1993 - Symphonic Rock For Europe - 3 hour concert with Brussels Symphony Orchestra and choir, performing Roth's first symphony "Europa Ex Favilla" and other pieces. The show featured 4 Rock singers: John Parr, Tommy Heart, Michael Flexig, Peter Goalby. Broadcast by German TV.
* 1998 - G3 Concert Tour in Europe with Joe Satriani and Michael Schenker (jam with Brian May at London Wembley Arena)
* 1998 - G3 Concert at Monsters of Rock - Turin, Italy
* 2000 - October. Performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Transcendental Sky Guitar (with Detmold Chamber Orchestra)
* 2001 - First Japanese Roth tour since 1978. (May)
* 2001 - Legends of Rock Concert at Castle Donington. Played with Jack Bruce, UFO, Michael Schenker. (June 23)
* 2002 - Legends of Rock Tour of 13 UK venues with Frank Marino, Jack Bruce, Glenn Hughes
* 2004 - First US tour (19 dates) since 1985. Co-head-lining with Michael Schenker. (August–September)
* 2004 - Jamming onstage with Deep Purple at Cardiff International Arena
* 2005 - Scorpions reunion with Roth in France. (September)
* 2006 - Jamming with Deep Purple at Max Schmeling Halle, Berlin
* 2006 - First U.S.A. tour as headliner since 1985
* 2006 - Three Sky Academy Concerts at UCLA Los Angeles - Roth taught his approach to the guitar and to music. "Uli Jon Roth and Friends" concerts were part of the Academy. Roth performed with guests including Jeff Scott Soto, Chris Impellitteri, Joe Stump, Graham Bonnett, Robbie Krieger and many others
* 2006 - Scorpions Reunion at Wacken Festival in Germany (July)
* 2007 - With The Smashing Pumpkins at the two Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals performing their 28-minute epic song Gossamer
* 2007 - With Scorpions at Paris, Nantes, Dijon, Rouen - France. (May)
* 2007 - With Scorpions at Sweden Rock Festival. (9 June)
* 2007 - With Scorpions at Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens - Joe Cocker as support (18 June)
* 2007 - With Scorpions, London, Manchester. (July)
* 2007 - Two Sky Academy Concerts and seminar at the Hollywood MI - with Paul Gilbert, Robbie Krieger, Johnny Hiland and others. (August)
* 2008 - With Smashing Pumpkins (Billy Corgan) at Hamburg Colour Line Arena (February)
* 2008 - Sky academy New Zealand at the G-TARanaki Guitar Festival - UJR appears with his new band Sky Of Avalon (special guests: Gilby Clarke, Vernon Reid, Alex Skolnik)
* 2008 - With Avantasia (Tobias Sammet) at Wacken Open Air Festival. (1 August)
* 2008 - With Sky of Avalon in North America. (September–October)
* 2008 - With Scorpions, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Southampton and Wolverhampton, Strasbourg. (October 2008)
* 2008 - With Sky of Avalon in Japan. (November)
* 2010 - Uli John Roth jams with Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, bass player Tony Franklin and drummer Brent Fitz on the "Midnight Session" of the 2010 Gtaranaki Festival in New Plymouth, New Zealand, on August 15. Uli John and Slash play at least three songs together: "Little Wing", "Communication Breakdown" and "Sunshine of Your Love".
* 2011 - Uli John Roth plays two sets on the 70,000 Tons of Metal floating heavy metal festival with an impressive line-up of 41 other bands. (January 2011)

[edit] References

1. ^ Klüsener, Edgar (circa 1990). Scorpions - Sting of Change. Metal Attack Magazine. Scanned page 3/7. Archived at Uli Jon Roth fansite.
2. ^ Angulo, Steve (April 9, 2009). Scorpions – Live At Wacken Open Air 2006 DVD (2007) (Review). Hard Rock Heavy Metal blog.
3. ^ http://www.edenwaith.com/uliroth/music/skyguitar.php
4. ^ September 2000 issue of Young Guitar magazine
5. ^ http://www.vibesware.com/vibesware_english.htm
6. ^ Braid, Mary (May 1, 1996). "A rock legend unto herself". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/a-rock-legend-unto-herself-1345098.html. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
7. ^ http://www.maelstrom.nu/ezine/interview_iss24_162.php?sid=%&osCsid=%/quote "I am only a devotee of Jesus"
8. ^ http://instrumentalcase.com/Stump.aspx
9. ^ http://www.leviathanrecords.com/firewindiv22.htm/"Uli Roth is a big influence on me"
10. ^ http://lyraka.com/interviews/rocktopia.htm "I've progressively been more inspired by Uli Jon Roth...all his Scorpions work and his more recent solo albums"
11. ^ http://www.symphonyx.com/michael_romeo.html
12. ^ http://www.jamesbyrd.com/jartint.htm
13. ^ Michael Flexig. German Wikipedia article.

[edit] External links

* Uli Jon Roth Announces 2008 Sky Academy Seminars, 15 February 2008.
* The Official Uli Jon Roth Website
* Edenwaith Uli Jon Roth Website
* Authorized Uli Jon Roth Website
* Sky Academy Website
* The Official Uli Jon Roth Website News
* An Interview With Uli Jon Roth

sejarah perjalanan musik POWER METAL

]

Lebih dari lima belas tahun adalah sebuah perjalanan cukup panjang bagi sebuah grup rock macam Power Metal yang mampu bertahan dan tetap eksis. Tak bedanya dengan kebanyakan grup band lainnya, dalam perjalanannya kelompok musik ini juga mengalami gelombang pasang-surut. Di tengah popularitas dan kharismanya sebagai band heavy metal, ternyata grup ini sering diguncang oleh persoalan yang terjadi dalam intern tubuh mereka, seperti sering terjadinya pergantian personel. Bahkan hampir tiga tahun belakangan ini grup band ini gaungnya kurang terdengar lagi. Sampai akhirnya muncul spekulasi bahwa grup ini sudah bubar.

Ternyata spekulasi berita itu tidak benar adanya. Power Metal tidak bubar, dan masih tetap eksis. Cuma sempat vakum saja. Setelah cukup lama vakum, grup rock asal Surabaya ini mencoba kembali eksis di blantika musik rock Indonesia. Justru di tengah kevakuman itu dimanfaatkan mereka mempersiapkan album baru. Dengan dirilisnya album berjudul Topeng-Topeng Murka (2002), sekaligus menjadi jawaban bahwa Power Metal masih eksis, dan tetap solid. Bagaimana perkembangan Power Metal itu sendiri memang tidak lepas dari dinamika yang ikut mewarnai perjalanan karier grup mantan juara Festival Rock se-Indonesia V versi Log Zhelebour, tahun 1989.

Grup band yang awal berdirinya bernama Power, sejak September 1987 berubah nama jadi Power Metal, dengan formasi Pungky Deaz (vokal), Ipunk (gitar), Hendrix Sanada (bas), Raymond Ariasz (kibor), dan Mugix Adam (dram). Sesuai namanya Power Metal, perubahan nama ini sekaligus untuk memproklamirkan diri jadi band rock beraliran heavy metal. Sebelum menjelajahi dunia rekaman, dalam aksi panggungnya grup ini sering membawakan lagu-lagunya Metallica, Anthrax, Helloween, Loudness atau Yngwie J. Malmsteen. Belum genap setahun dibentuk, grup band ini sudah menunjukan prestasi cukup membanggakan, antara lain dengan keherhasilannya menyabet juara pertama Festival Rock Remaja se-Jawa Timur di Lumajang (1987). Disusul tahun berikutnya meningkat jadi juara pertama Festival Rock se-Jawa di Kediri (1988). Prestasi ini dianggap belum cukup, masih ada satu event festival yang jadi targetnya, yaitu Festival Rock se-Indonesia - nya Log Zhelebour. “Itu salah satu jadi obsesi kita,” kenang Raymond, soal keberhasilan Power Metal menjuarai Festival Rock se-Indonesia V (1989) Selain jadi juaranya, Hendrix Sanada juga terpilih sebagai the best bassist. “Sekali ikut langsung jadi juara,” kata Raymond dengan bangga. "Waktu itu kita sama sekali tidak menyangka bisa jadi juaranya," tambah Ipunk. Grup band yang dianggap rival terberatnya saat itu adalah Andromedha (Surabaya), Kaisar (Solo) dan Roxx (Jakarta). Kemenangannya ini sekaligus menjadi awal perjalanan karier Power Metal menembus dunia rekaman.

Sebagai promotor merangkap produser, Log Zhelebour memang belum menjanjikan grup band juara pertama Festival Rock se-Indonesia langsung teken kontrak rekaman album. Baru sebatas direkam di album kompilasi 10 Finalis Festival Rock se-Indonesia V. Sementara juara pertamanya dijanjikan ikut tur 10 kota. Kebetulan waktu itu Log mempersiapkan pagelaran Tur Rakasasa God Bless (1990). Selain Power Metal, tur God Bless ini juga didampingi Elpamas dan Mel Shandy. Di tengah persiapan tur, Power Metal diguncang hengkangnya Pungky, lalu diikuti Hendrix Sanada. Jelas ini membuat sisa personelnya kalang-kabut mencari vokalis dan pemain bas, pengganti Pungky dan Hendrix. “Kita langsung melirik Arul, vokalis Big Boys dari Banjarmasin,” kata Raymond. Akhirnya Arul yang pernah dinobatkan sebagai the best vocalist di Festival Rock se-Indonesia V imenggantikan posisi Pungky.Tinggal pemain basnya, belum dapat. Sementara belum dapat pemain tetap, akhirnya pakai additional musician, diantaranya ada nama Roy Oracle dan Didiet Shaksana. Usai mengikuti tur, akhirnya tawaran rekaman datang dari Log Zhelebour.

Selama persiapan bikin album Arul dkk dikarantina di sebuah vila di daerah Malang – Jawa Timur. “Hampir sebulan kita dikarantina untuk bikin lagu,” kenang vokalis Power Metal. Begitu materi lagu sudah siap, mereka kembali kelimpungan siapa jadi pemain basnya. Sementara mereka harus secepatnya masuk studio. Akhirnya digaet Prass Haddy, pemain bas di band Pelni. Karena terikat dengan pekerjaan, posisinya membantu sebatas rekaman sampai album keluar. Dengan persiapan cukup matang, proses rekaman mereka berjalan mulus.

Dengan formasi Arul Efansyah (vokal), Ipunk (gitar), Prass Haddy (bas), Raymond Ariasz (kibor), dan Mugix Adam (dram), Power Metal berhasil merampungkan album perdananya diberi judul Power One (1991), yang dirilis dibawah bendera Logiss Records. Lewat debut albumnya ini, Power Metal langsung melesat ke putaran orbit grup rock papan atas yang mulai diperhitungkan. Setidaknya popularitas Power Metal sudah sejajar dengan band seniornya alumni Festival Rock se-Indonesia, seperti Elpamas dan Grass Rock. Dan album Power One ini mendapat sambutan menggembirakan dari rockers mania. Album ini sendiri melahirkan sejumlah hits, diantaranya Angkara, Satu Jiwa, Pengakuan dan Bayangan Dirimu. Di samping dua lagu lainnya, yakni Malapetaka dan Cita Yang Tersita. Kesuksesan album ini juga diikuti dengan terpilihnya Power Metal meraih penghargaan sebagai Pendatang Baru Terbaik di ajang BASF Awards 1991. Angka penjualan kaset album Power One sendiri waktu itu laku di atas 300 ribu copies. Sebuah angka penjualan yang cukup fantastik untuk sebuah grup rock beraliran heavy metal. Sementara grup rock yang bisa menembus angka itu baru God Bless, lewat album Semut Hitam (1989). Power Metal kembali menanda-tangani kontrak album kedua.

Di tengah persiapan album kedua, Ipunk mengundurkan diri, dan posisinya digantikan Lucky Setyo W, gitaris Andromedha Rock Band yang juga The best guitaris di Festival Rock se-Indonesia V. Akhirnya mereka berhasil merampungkan album kedua berjudul Power Demons (1993), yang kemudian disusul album lainnya, Serigala (1995), dan Pesta Dansa (1996).Lagi-lagi di tengah persiapan penggarapan album berikutnya, terjadi masalah dalam intern tubuh Power Metal, yang berakhir dengan mundurnya Raymond dan Mugix. Sementara itu Power Metal harus dikejar target menyiapkan album baru lagi. Untuk mengisi kekosongan itu, akhirnya ditariklah Ekko Dinaya (dram) dan James Ireng (kibor). Dengan sekuat tenaga dan segala kemampuan Lucky cs mencoba mempertahankan kharisma Power Metal dengan merilis album Peace,Love & War (1999). Meski dari segi musikalitas materi album ini cukup bagus. Tapi sayangnya album ini lagi-lagi kurang mujur di pasaran.

Tak lama setelah album rilis album ini, Power Metal pelan-pelan menghilang dari hingar-bingarnya panggung musik rock. Tak heran bila di tengah kevakuman itu muncul berita spekulatif bahwa grup ini bubar. Sampai akhirnya muncul inisiatif dari owner Power Metal yaitu dengan memanggil kembali Raymond untuk diajak membenahi lagi Power Metal. Antara lain dengan mengajak Ipunk kembali gabung di Power Metal, menggantikan posisi Lucky Setyo W yang mengundurkan diri. Kesempatan ini kemudian dimanfaatkan untuk melakukan konsolidasi guna menemukan formula musik Power Metal yang disiapkan di album barunya nanti. “Yang pasti, aku dengan personel yang lain punya keinginan sama untuk mengangkat kembali kharisma Power Metal. Itu yang jadi obsesi kita semua,” lanjut Raymond.

Setelah melalui proses yang cukup panjang akhirnya Power Metal merampungkan album ke-7, Topeng-Topeng Murka, yang proses rekamannya sampai mixing-nya dilakukan di Studio Natural– Surabaya. Sedang proses mastering-nya dikerjakan di Studio 301, Sydney – Australia. Proses penggarapan album ini memang butuh waktu cukup lama, hampir 2 tahun. Meski sering mengalami pergantian personel, ternyata tidak mengurangi kesolidan Power Metal yang kini diperkuat Arul Efansyah (vokal), Ipunk (gitar), Endro (bas), Raymond Ariasz (kibor), dan Eko Dinoyo (dram) untuk tetap eksis. "Ini adalah formasi tersolid," kata Ipunk dan Raymond hampir bersamaan, mengomentari formasi baru Power Metal yang dikatakan sudah siap tempur ini. Selain gabungnya lagi orang-orang lama, seperti Raymond dan Ipunk, formasi baru Power Metal juga diperkuat wajah baru, Endro, mantan pencabik bas Red Spider. Disamping Ekko Dinaya, mantan dramer Eclips yang sudah gabung duluan di album Peace, Love & War.

Dengan formasi barunya ini Power Metal siap menggebrak kembali panggung musik rock heavy metal.Awal Agustus lalu, grup rock pernah mendamping Sepultura (1992) dan Helloween (2004) saat manggung di Surabaya, telah merampung rekaman album ke-8, berjudul KebesaranMu, yang tak lama lagi siap edar di pasaran. (lex)

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