Customer Reviews

Kiske

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

And that's the reason why anyone who's ever felt like listening to some peaceful, uplifting music will enjoy "Kiske". Yes, even metalheads. I still love Helloween and metal in general, but the sheer quality and originality of Michael's songwriting, combined with his voice, majestic in Helloween and here just beautiful, create an album that only the most cynical, emotionless metalhead couldn't love. Unfortunately most of Michael's fans seem to be hangers-on from his Helloween days, but I'm sure anyone interested in this kind of relaxing light pop-rock and balladry would also love this album. My only minor complaints are that, as always, Michael needs an English language coach to help polish the lyrics, and that I would have liked to hear more of his powerful, higher-pitched vocals, which he proved could still work in a mellow setting on songs like "It's So Easy" from R.T.S. I don't care how mellow Kiske gets, I still want to hear him push his voice as on "It's So Easy", because NOBODY on this planet has a voice like that... These are very minor complaints though. "Kiske" is a great album filled with great songs which makes for a truly enjoyable listening experience. Congratulations Michael!

First of all I have to be absolutely objective because erase Michael's heavy metal past it's a little bit difficult. Kiske's high pitched voice still remains but with a mellower feeling. At first hearing it's, maybe, hard to digest but by the third time you will really love the cd. To be honest I'm a fan of whatever he does and I have to say this record surpasses his first two records (Instant Clarity and R.T.S). Just to do a quick resume of his last 3 years, Supared (in my opinion, his weakest project) and Place Vendome (excellent album for AOR or Melodic Hard Rock lovers) had nothing to do with this record. This is a complete different genre, it's kind of a mix of pop and melodic rock; difficult to catalogue but very enjoyable, with nice acoustic guitars. The job of the musicians is fine, Karsten Nagel (drums) from Kiske former band Il Prophecy do a good performance, Sandro Giampietro (also Supared) fulfills the duties of the main guitar player (just don't expect virtuosity solos because you won't find them) and Fontaine Burnett (bass) closes the lineup. Kiske also plays guitar and keyboard to add more consistency to the record.
1. Fed By Stones - A good start with a strong phrase opener. I like the lyrics very much, very profound and goes with the emotive voice.
2. All Solutions - A softer piece with reminiscence of R.T.S. ballads.
3. Knew I Would - One of my favorite tracks. I hope the next album keep that direction.
4. Kings-Fall - In my opinion the best ballad (to date) of kiske's career (I hate stereotypes but I had to name some sort of style)
5. Hearts Are Free - In this one Michael sings with a girl called Corinna Wolke, I believe she did some choirs in Chamaleon record. A nice song.
6. The King Of It All - Great song with beautiful violins accompanying it.
7. Sing My Song - Reminds me the atmosphere of some softer songs from I.C.
8. Silently Craving - Very Good song, it shows that Michael's voice is still in great shape.
9. Truly - In this one he also sang with Corinna but her voice is a little less obvious. A good song but not one of my favorites.
10. Painted - Reminds me some sort of Boston (the band) style but more acoustic.
11. Sad As The World - My favorite track, it's fresh and clearly shows the new direction Michael wants to take.
My conclusion is that "Kiske" is a very good album, relaxing and melodic. So if you are a metal head without prejudice or a music lover try it, otherwise don't bother.

This is Michael Kiske's fourth solo album and it is a step away from anything he has done in the past. There is no comparison between KISKE and his Helloween days, nor with his participation in metal projects (Avantasia, Tribuzy, Masterplan) or the amazing melodic hard rock/AOR of 'Place Vendome'.

KISKE is a singer-songwriter type of album with songs ranging from acoustic ballads to melodic pop-rock. This is an atmospheric and peaceful record, which is overflowing with emotion and is overall great for what it is. The instrumentation includes mainly acoustic and at some parts electric guitars, bass guitar, some nice drumming, a small amount of keyboards-piano in the background and a slight dose of violin in some places. Michael Kiske is at his usual best vocally and lyrically, demonstrating his huge range in a more soothing atmosphere. In this album he displays the most emotional and warm vocals that I ever heard from him. Most songs contain deeper lower and middle range vocal parts, with scarce but very effective high pitched delivery and just the right amount of vibrato added for good measure.

The strongest tracks on the album are the pop-rock songs "Painted", "Knew I Would" and "Fed By Stones", which contains some very thought out lyrics. The other highlights are the acoustic ballads "King's Fall", "Sing My Song" and "The King Of It All", which contains a truly memorable chorus and violin orchestration. The Japanese edition of the album includes a bonus track well worth having, the cover of "Mary In The Morning" (Elvis) sang in a truly magnificent way.

With this release Michael Kiske proves once more what a talented songwriter and what a gifted and extraordinary singer he is. This is his most mellow and emotional sounding release ever and it should be listened and enjoyed for what it is, instead for what it is not.

(Note: metal and hard-rock fans should definitely stay away from this album IF they expect a return to those genres as they will be very disappointed.)

Michael Kiske's gift is connecting to his audience with a resounding voice and insightful songwriting. His blend of melodic music and superb songwriting gives listeners a glimpse into the mind of the artist and leaves fans wanting more. Kiske is an artist not to be missed. He is one of the best voices on the music scene. For a taste of what true musical expression is all about, purchase this record. This is the full package: superb voice, excellent songwriting, and rich, melodic music - you will not be disappointed with this purchase.

The album does what it is ment to do. which is to showcase michale's vocals. Kiske has gotten smoother and more controled as the years have passed. some of the lyrics leave us asking what he was talking about but the vocal quality is incredible!. Also the first track shows Michael to be much deeper than anything hes done before. A great albumn all in all though not for everyone. It takes a truley progressive ear to go from helloween to Instant Clarity to this. I like it.

Heart, Mind, and Soul... all are conveyed by Michael's incredible voice. This work is so mature it makes Helloween look like weenies.. it was good fun, but here we have the truth of a man, laid bear. I won't bother comparing it, because it is a new, personal statement from a true artist. It may not appeal to many Helloween fans, save a few who were open to "Longing", "Your Turn" and some of the other more eclectic moments from those days. This is really more of an album of expression from one of the most sincere voices of sheer beauty and integrity, finding his way free from cliches of the past and the confines of a now-exploited Power Metal genre his early work had originally defined. It is a journey I am happy to go on, and find endless amazement as these songs become more and more rooted in my heart and mind.

A true artist's expression for true fans of a man who is not afraid to fly in the face of those who would seek to exploit his mighty and tender voice to their own ends and put him as another box of cereal, with plenty of sugar and a small toy, placed on all shelves for the kiddies. Thank God we have someone who makes a stand and works so hard against the tide to give the real gift from his heart... I hope you find it!

~Dietrick

I enjoy hearing Michael Kiske's voice in his own style. Helloween tried to capitalize on that fact that Kiske sounded similar to Geoff Tate of Queensryche, who were popular at the time they recruited him as the their vocalist.

I had never heard of Michael Kiske until I watched "4 Octave Wonders" clips on YuTube. The moment his clip started, I thought, "Wow, that's a beautiful voice!" So I tried the previews of this album, liked them, and bought the album. I am a die hard Rob Halford and Judas Priest fan, so if a lesser voice is singing, I will never touch music like this. However, I find this album a nice counterbalance to the heavily dramatic music of Rob Halford and Judas Priest. Yes, it is possible to live your life to the full quietly but delightfully, by appreciating and cherishing the life you have.

Wonderful album that warms your heart.

Great album! I'll not write a full review!

I will just tell you: 'THIS ALBUM IS ANOTHER PIECE OF ART FROM KISKE'!

ENJOY!!

After he was fired from helloween i had high hopes then I heard Instant clarity...which was passible but still crap compared to his Helloween material. Then supared came along which was not that great, now this....my how the mighty have fallen. At least Helloween is still on top, if he wanted to take Helloween in this direction then im glad he got fired.