Uli Kusch
Encyclopedia
Ulrich Kusch, born 11 March 1967, is a heavy metal
drummer. He is best known for playing with Helloween
, Gamma Ray
, and Masterplan. He is known for his technical style of playing, fast-paced speed metal
-like rhythm and capable songwriting abilities.
, Headhunter (band of Schmier, Destruction
's vocalist), among others.
In 1990, after first drummer of Gamma Ray
Mathias Burchardt quit the band, Kai Hansen
recruited Uli to perform for his band. In 1991, this lineup released their second full-length studio album, labeled Sigh No More and went on a world tour.
However, Uli quit Gamma Ray in 1992. He later joined Helloween
, with whom he released Master of the Rings
in 1994 and The Time of the Oath
in 1996. That year Helloween released the 2-CD live album High Live
, providing a decent demonstration of Uli's skills for performing live. That time Uli himself formed and produced with Gamma Ray guitarist Henjo Richter
the Rainbow
tribute band Catch the Rainbow and soon other musicians joined them. Their album A Tribute to Rainbow, with eleven covers of Rainbow songs, was released in 1999. It featured other members of Helloween and Gamma Ray as well as other bands. He also played in Markus Grosskopf
's side-project Shockmachine for their only album in 1998. Helloween recorded Better Than Raw
the same year, followed by the band's album of covers Metal Jukebox
in 1999.
Uli stayed with Helloween up to 2000's The Dark Ride
, developing into a key songwriter for the band. Kusch also played on Sinner
's 2000 album The End of Sanctuary. In 2001, Uli and fellow bandmember Roland Grapow
were fired from Helloween, following an e-mail from Michael Weikath
. The two went on to form Masterplan, something they had originally been planning as a side project.
With Masterplan Kusch recorded two studio albums, one self-named in 2003 and Aeronautics
in 2005. That same year, Uli formed a new band called Beautiful Sin
with help from Masterplan bandmate Axel Mackenrott
and members of Pagan's Mind
. Uli departed from Masterplan in October 2006 for personal and musical differences. He said at the time that Beautiful Sin
became his new main priority.
Uli also co-founded a new progressive power metal project called Ride the Sky
, which released its debut album New Protection
under Nuclear Blast Records on 24 August 2007, but the band broke up in April 2008 due to poor media attention and minor support from the record company. He has also rejoined the progressive thrash metal outfit Mekong Delta
and recorded the album Lurking Fear
with the band.
In late 2010, Uli joined Symfonia
, a power metal supergroup formed together by André Matos
, Timo Tolkki
, Jari Kainulainen
and Mikko Härkin
. They made their debut performance at Finnish Metal Expo
2011. The band entered the studio in November 2010 to begin recording their debut album, In Paradisum
and was released on 25 March 2011. During the preparations for the upcoming tour, Uli suffered from nerve damage in his left hand which led the band to hire Alex Landenburg as his replacement for the debut performance at Finnish Metal Expo, as well as some other dates. Latest news is that Uli has officially left the band to continue recovering from his nerve damage which makes it impossible for him to play drums for a year.
Holy Moses
Helloween
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
drummer. He is best known for playing with Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
, Gamma Ray
Gamma Ray (band)
Gamma Ray is a power metal band from Hamburg, northern Germany, founded and fronted by Kai Hansen after his departure from the German power metal Helloween. Hansen is the current lead vocalist, guitarist as well as the chief songwriter of Gamma Ray. The band is known as one of the most prominent...
, and Masterplan. He is known for his technical style of playing, fast-paced speed metal
Speed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from NWOBHM and hardcore punk roots. It is described by Allmusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music....
-like rhythm and capable songwriting abilities.
Biography
During the 80's until the early 90's, he used to be a studio musician and played for many bands, such as Holy MosesHoly Moses
Holy Moses is a German thrash metal band. They are well noted for being fronted by Sabina Classen and for being one of the very first German thrash metal bands.-Formative years: 1980-1985:...
, Headhunter (band of Schmier, Destruction
Destruction (band)
Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "three kings" of the Teutonic thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator and Sodom...
's vocalist), among others.
In 1990, after first drummer of Gamma Ray
Gamma Ray (band)
Gamma Ray is a power metal band from Hamburg, northern Germany, founded and fronted by Kai Hansen after his departure from the German power metal Helloween. Hansen is the current lead vocalist, guitarist as well as the chief songwriter of Gamma Ray. The band is known as one of the most prominent...
Mathias Burchardt quit the band, Kai Hansen
Kai Hansen
Kai Michael Hansen is a power metal guitarist and vocalist.Hansen is the founder, lead guitarist, and vocalist of power metal band Gamma Ray, and the co-founder and former member of German metal band Helloween. He is a prominent figure in power metal, and has sold millions of albums worldwide...
recruited Uli to perform for his band. In 1991, this lineup released their second full-length studio album, labeled Sigh No More and went on a world tour.
However, Uli quit Gamma Ray in 1992. He later joined Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
, with whom he released Master of the Rings
Master of the Rings
Master of the Rings is the sixth studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1994. It is the first to feature new members Andi Deris and Uli Kusch....
in 1994 and The Time of the Oath
The Time of the Oath
*M - 3,4 also appears on The Time of the Oath single.*M - 5,6 also appears on the Power single.*M - 7,8 also appears on the Forever And One single.- Personnel :* Andi Deris - vocals* Michael Weikath - guitar* Roland Grapow - guitar* Markus Grosskopf - bass...
in 1996. That year Helloween released the 2-CD live album High Live
High Live
-Disc two:- Credits :* Andi Deris - Vocals* Michael Weikath - Guitars* Roland Grapow - Guitars* Markus Grosskopf - Bass* Uli Kusch - Drums-External links:*...
, providing a decent demonstration of Uli's skills for performing live. That time Uli himself formed and produced with Gamma Ray guitarist Henjo Richter
Henjo Richter
Henjo Oliver Richter, in Hamburg, West Germany, is a guitarist and keyboardist in Gamma Ray, the German power metal band formed by Kai Hansen.-Biography:...
the Rainbow
Rainbow (band)
Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
tribute band Catch the Rainbow and soon other musicians joined them. Their album A Tribute to Rainbow, with eleven covers of Rainbow songs, was released in 1999. It featured other members of Helloween and Gamma Ray as well as other bands. He also played in Markus Grosskopf
Markus Grosskopf
Markus Großkopf, born 21 September 1965 in Hamburg, Germany, is the bass guitarist, and one of only two remaining original members of the German power metal band Helloween...
's side-project Shockmachine for their only album in 1998. Helloween recorded Better Than Raw
Better Than Raw
*M - 2 also appears on the I Can single.*M - 3,4 also appears on the Hey Lord! single.-Personnel:*Andi Deris - vocals*Michael Weikath - guitar*Roland Grapow - guitar*Markus Grosskopf - bass*Uli Kusch - drums*Jorn Ellerbrock - keyboards...
the same year, followed by the band's album of covers Metal Jukebox
Metal Jukebox
-Personnel:*Andi Deris - vocals*Michael Weikath - guitar*Roland Grapow - guitar*Markus Grosskopf - bass*Uli Kusch - drums...
in 1999.
Uli stayed with Helloween up to 2000's The Dark Ride
The Dark Ride
On copies of The Dark Ride and Rabbit Don't Come Easy the disc has "Mr. Torture" and "All over the Nations" in reverse order so this way "All over the Nations" is track #2...
, developing into a key songwriter for the band. Kusch also played on Sinner
Sinner (band)
Sinner are a German heavy metal band formed by vocalist and bassist Mat Sinner in 1982 . They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene. Their latest album, One Bullet Left, was released in 2011.-History:...
's 2000 album The End of Sanctuary. In 2001, Uli and fellow bandmember Roland Grapow
Roland Grapow
Roland Grapow, born 30 August 1959 in Hamburg, Germany is a professional guitarist and music producer. Roland is best known for his time in the power metal band Helloween, who he played with for 12 years after replacing founding member Kai Hansen...
were fired from Helloween, following an e-mail from Michael Weikath
Michael Weikath
Michael Ingo Joachim Weikath is the guitarist of the German Power metal band Helloween."Weiki" was born in Hamburg, Germany. He is one of the Helloween founding members, along with the musicians Kai Hansen , Markus Grosskopf and Ingo Schwichtenberg . Along with Grosskopf he is the only other...
. The two went on to form Masterplan, something they had originally been planning as a side project.
With Masterplan Kusch recorded two studio albums, one self-named in 2003 and Aeronautics
Aeronautics (album)
Aeronautics is the second album by the German power metal band Masterplan. It's the first album to feature playing and songwriting by members Axel Mackenrott and former Iron Savior bassist Jan S...
in 2005. That same year, Uli formed a new band called Beautiful Sin
Beautiful Sin (band)
Beautiful Sin is a European power metal band. They are heavily influenced by the popular power metal band Helloween.Beautiful Sin began when Uli Kusch met a Belgian singer called Magali Luyten, and wanted to record an album with her band...
with help from Masterplan bandmate Axel Mackenrott
Axel Mackenrott
Axel Mackenrott is the keyboard player for the heavy metal band Masterplan.Axel began playing at around 11 years of age with piano lessons, and went on to eventually acquire a bachelor of arts in musical sciences. In his early career he played in many small-time bands and cover bands, before he...
and members of Pagan's Mind
Pagan's Mind
-Biography:Founded in 2000 from the band Silverspoon by Nils K. Rue, Thorstein Aaby, and Stian Kristoffersen. Pagan's Mind released their first album, Infinity Divine, that same year. The following album, Celestial Entrance, was released in 2002 and was a relatively big success even outside of...
. Uli departed from Masterplan in October 2006 for personal and musical differences. He said at the time that Beautiful Sin
Beautiful Sin (band)
Beautiful Sin is a European power metal band. They are heavily influenced by the popular power metal band Helloween.Beautiful Sin began when Uli Kusch met a Belgian singer called Magali Luyten, and wanted to record an album with her band...
became his new main priority.
Uli also co-founded a new progressive power metal project called Ride the Sky
Ride the Sky
Ride the Sky was a progressive power metal band formed by ex-Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Masterplan drummer Uli Kusch, and Tears of Anger members Bjørn Jansson and Benny Jansson.-History:...
, which released its debut album New Protection
New Protection
New Protection is the only album by progressive power metal band Ride the Sky. A video was made for the title track of the album. The limited edition digipak and US version includes the bonus track "Make the Spirit Burn".-Track listing:...
under Nuclear Blast Records on 24 August 2007, but the band broke up in April 2008 due to poor media attention and minor support from the record company. He has also rejoined the progressive thrash metal outfit Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta (band)
Mekong Delta is a German progressive/thrash metal band, formed in 1985.-History:The band was founded by a group of German metal musicians with the goal to 'musically outshine' all then-current, independent releases. The line-up and the history of the group was to be "the best kept secret in the...
and recorded the album Lurking Fear
Lurking Fear
For the H. P. Lovecraft story, see The Lurking FearLurking Fear is the eighth album from progressive/thrash metal band Mekong Delta, released in August 2007.-Track listing:# "Society in Dissolution" – 4:56# "Purification" – 5:06...
with the band.
In late 2010, Uli joined Symfonia
Symfonia
Symfonia is a power metal supergroup formed in 2010 by André Matos, Timo Tolkki, Jari Kainulainen, Mikko Härkin and Uli Kusch. On February 18 of 2011, the band made its debut performance at Finnish Metal Expo. The band released its debut album In Paradisum in March of 2011...
, a power metal supergroup formed together by André Matos
André Matos
André Coelho Matos born September 14, 1971 in São Paulo, Brazil. He is the oldest son of photographer Pedro Henrique Matos and Sonia Maria Coelho. André Matos was the former vocalist, pianist and composer for the power metal bands Viper, Angra and Shaaman. Since October 2006 Andre Matos has been...
, Timo Tolkki
Timo Tolkki
Timo Tapio Tolkki is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. He left Stratovarius in 2008 and formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. To this day, with his tenure extending for more than twenty years, Tolkki was the...
, Jari Kainulainen
Jari Kainulainen
Jari Kainulainen is a Finnish born bassist of the metal band called Devil´s Train. He was previously a member of, Stratovarius and the progressive power metal band Evergrey.Kainulainen plays Ibanez 6 string basses and uses Ampeg amplifiers...
and Mikko Härkin
Mikko Härkin
Mikko Härkin is a Finnish power metal keyboardist, who has performed with Sonata Arctica and Kenziner.-History:...
. They made their debut performance at Finnish Metal Expo
Finnish Metal Expo
Finnish Metal Expo is a heavy metal fair and festival held annually at Kaapelitehdas in Ruoholahti, Helsinki, Finland since 2005. The Finnish Metal Awards, different kind of clinics, interview sessions, signing sessions and competitions are also part of the happening.-2009...
2011. The band entered the studio in November 2010 to begin recording their debut album, In Paradisum
In Paradisum (Symfonia album)
In Paradisum is the debut album by multinational power metal band Symfonia, to be released on March 25th, 2011 in Japan and April 1st, 2011 in Europe...
and was released on 25 March 2011. During the preparations for the upcoming tour, Uli suffered from nerve damage in his left hand which led the band to hire Alex Landenburg as his replacement for the debut performance at Finnish Metal Expo, as well as some other dates. Latest news is that Uli has officially left the band to continue recovering from his nerve damage which makes it impossible for him to play drums for a year.
Holy MosesHoly MosesHoly Moses is a German thrash metal band. They are well noted for being fronted by Sabina Classen and for being one of the very first German thrash metal bands.-Formative years: 1980-1985:...
- Queen of SiamQueen of Siam (Holy Moses album)Queen of Siam is the debut album by Holy Moses, released in 1986 on AAARRG Records. It was re-released in 2005 with "Walpurgisnight" demo, recorded in 1984-1985, as bonus tracks...
(1986) - Finished with the DogsFinished with the DogsFinished with the Dogs is the second album by Holy Moses, released in 1987 on AAARRG Records. It was re-released on August 5, 2005 through Armageddon with 4 bonus live tracks.All music and lyrics are by Andy Classen and Sabina Classen.- Track listing :...
(1987) - The New Machine of LiechtensteinThe New Machine of LiechtensteinThe New Machine of Liechtenstein is the third album by Holy Moses, released in 1989 on WEA Records. It was re-released on August 5, 2005 through Armageddon and then in 2007 by Locomotive with 2 bonus live tracks....
(1989)
Gamma Ray
- Heading for the EastHeading for the EastHeading for the East was recorded in 1990 by the German power metal band Gamma Ray following the release of their album Heading for Tomorrow.*Release Date: 1990 , 2003 *Recorded live: 1990*Cover: Henni Hell...
(Live video) (1990) - Heaven Can Wait (EP) (1990)
- Sigh No More (1991)
HelloweenHelloweenHelloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
- Master of the RingsMaster of the RingsMaster of the Rings is the sixth studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1994. It is the first to feature new members Andi Deris and Uli Kusch....
(1994) - The Time Of The OathThe Time of the Oath*M - 3,4 also appears on The Time of the Oath single.*M - 5,6 also appears on the Power single.*M - 7,8 also appears on the Forever And One single.- Personnel :* Andi Deris - vocals* Michael Weikath - guitar* Roland Grapow - guitar* Markus Grosskopf - bass...
(1996) - High LiveHigh Live-Disc two:- Credits :* Andi Deris - Vocals* Michael Weikath - Guitars* Roland Grapow - Guitars* Markus Grosskopf - Bass* Uli Kusch - Drums-External links:*...
(Live album) (1996) - Better Than RawBetter Than Raw*M - 2 also appears on the I Can single.*M - 3,4 also appears on the Hey Lord! single.-Personnel:*Andi Deris - vocals*Michael Weikath - guitar*Roland Grapow - guitar*Markus Grosskopf - bass*Uli Kusch - drums*Jorn Ellerbrock - keyboards...
(1998) - Metal JukeboxMetal Jukebox-Personnel:*Andi Deris - vocals*Michael Weikath - guitar*Roland Grapow - guitar*Markus Grosskopf - bass*Uli Kusch - drums...
(1999) - The Dark RideThe Dark RideOn copies of The Dark Ride and Rabbit Don't Come Easy the disc has "Mr. Torture" and "All over the Nations" in reverse order so this way "All over the Nations" is track #2...
(2000)
Masterplan
- Enlighten Me EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(2002) - Masterplan (2003)
- Back For My LifeBack for My LifeBack For My Life is an EP by the German power metal band Masterplan. It also contains a multimedia section.-Track listing:# "Back For My Life" # "Crimson Rider" # "Love Is A Rock"...
EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(2004) - AeronauticsAeronautics (album)Aeronautics is the second album by the German power metal band Masterplan. It's the first album to feature playing and songwriting by members Axel Mackenrott and former Iron Savior bassist Jan S...
(2005)