Michael Kiske was born in Hamburg, Germany on January 24th, 1968.
His mu… Read Full Bio ↴Michael Kiske was born in Hamburg, Germany on January 24th, 1968.
His musical career began at age 16 when he was the vocalist for a band called Ill Prophecy. With this band he recorded a demo tape which had early versions of future Helloween songs.
Michael Kiske made his fame in the German power metal band Helloween as their lead singer. Kiske joined Helloween in 1987 and recorded Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I, widely considered to be one of Helloween best albums and a milestone in the creation of the Power metal genre. He stayed with the band for 3 more studio albums and 1 live album. The studio album called Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II which bringed success all over Europe, Asia and even the United States, the live album Live In The U.K. and 2 more studio albums called Pink Bubbles Go Ape and Chameleon.
Kiske has a vibrant and clean voice some fans and critics have likened his singing style and range to that of Geoff Tate or a young Samson-era Bruce Dickinson. He sings in a tenor manner and possesses an almost 4 octave vocal range, as he is capable of reaching extremely high notes (A5) and low baritone notes (C2) as well. Kiske's time in Helloween has proved to be highly influential, and many singers cite him as a major influence. He is often recognised as one of the greatest power metal singers of all time.

Three years after leaving Helloween, Kiske released his first solo album, Instant Clarity which featured guest appearances by Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray and Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden. His style is more rock than power metal now. His next solo album Readiness To Sacrifice was released only in Japan in 1999. This album was edited two years later in Europe by Noise Records.

Out of desire to make rock music again, Kiske formed a band, named SupaRed. It's a great rock album and they had opportunities to tour but Michael had problems with his stomach which eventually had to be operated on.This album was under promoted and it didn't have much success so they split.

In 2006, he recorded his third solo album titled Kiske. The new album has soft rock, acoustic songs. Also his debut solo album Instant Clarity was re-released with four bonus tracks.

In 2008 Michael released his fourth solo album Past In Different Ways where he remade his old Helloween songs acoustically.

Kiske from time to time has lent his voice to bands such as Masterplan for a song called Heroes which he duet with Jorn Lande, for a Brazilian band Tribuzy in a song called Absolution which he duet with Renato Tribuzy, in various songs for A Metal Opera called Avantasia, for another one called Aina, for ex-Helloween founding member, lead guitarist, and vocalist Kai Hansen band calledGamma Ray, Edguy and Revolution Renaissance.
He made a project with members of Pink Cream 69 called Place Vendome where Michael sings on all tracks. Two albums has been released by this project. This project is in AOR style and has a few Hard Rock songs.
He made a duet with Gisa Vatcky from Indigo Dying in a song called Breathe In Water.
He also did one with the Italian power metal band Trick Or Treat for two songs called Tears Against Your Smile and Hello Moon.
In 2010 he made a duet with Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray in a multilayered anthem titled All you need to know for their latest album.

On November 10, 2009, Michael formed the band Unisonic together with Dennis Ward, Mandy Meyer and Kosta Zafiriou. Unisonic began their first tour in June 2010, playing some warm-up shows in Germany and performing at festivals Sweden Rock 2010 and Masters of Rock 2010 as well. The band is scheduled to release its debut album in late 2010.

In 2010 an album called Kiske/Somerville is a result of the collaboration between vocalist Michael Kiske and American singer Amanda Somerville. This exciting album sees Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner) and Magnus Karlsson (Starbreaker, Primal Fear) handling most of the songwriting (with more contributions from Sander Gommans formerly of After Forever and Amanda Somerville herself), with Sinner overseeing the production & mix at various recording studios in Europe.
Two videoclips were filmed for the songs Silence and If I Had A Wish in Nurnberg, Germany. Joining Kiske and Somerville for the shoot were bassist and main composer Mat Sinner], guitarist Sander Gommans (After Forever), drummer Rami Ali and keyboardist Jimmy Kresic (Voodoo Circle). The clips were directed by Martin Mueller of RCN TV, who previously helmed the videoclip production for Unheilig, Subway to Sally, Helloween, U.D.O. and Gotthard.
The digital only release of the single, Silence on August 20th, 2010, will precede the release of the full-length CD.
The Bonus DVD will include videoclips of “Silence” and “If I Had A Wish” plus a “Making of” documentary.

Hearts Are Free
Michael Kiske Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Words & Music: M. Kiske]

I'll be gone when the air gets rough
I can't breathe enough
I'll be gone before all passion is burned
Have you heard about how much it takes
When your heart just breaks
Under all that's not a lift on your turn?

I'd be the last one who leaves
A ship on its trip to these
Fulfilling islands that pleases
But it's going under
Give me a reason sail
On with those winds that just fail
To feed us true after all
I know your reason's small

Hearts are free to wander
Or go all under
Souls can fly to the sun
And burn or conquer
Worlds of freedom and beauty
That makes you wonder
Ah, ah!

I'm still here 'cause your heart is true
I see more in you
And I dare to trust in all that you are
Is it really the pain that eats
All your swing that needs
A good shot of god we assume always far

You'll be the last one to know:
Impossibilities grow
And in the end it will show
How much you really want it
Hand me your ladder to the sky
I hold it until we fly
And when it starts to get cold
We keep the best of all

Hearts are free to wander
Or go all under
Souls can fly to the sun
And burn or conquer
Worlds of freedom and beauty

That makes you wonder
Ah, ah!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Michael Kiske's "Hearts Are Free" are an expression of the struggle to pursue one's dreams in the face of difficulties and uncertainties. The singer acknowledges that sometimes it is necessary to step back and remove oneself from a situation that is suffocating, to leave before all passion is burned. He recognizes that the journey toward one's goals can be arduous and requires resilience in the face of heartbreak and disappointment. He also acknowledges the futility of clinging to reasons that are small and ultimately unsatisfying.

The song's chorus, "Hearts are free to wander / Or go all under / Souls can fly to the sun / And burn or conquer / Worlds of freedom and beauty / That makes you wonder / Ah, ah!" speaks to the freedom to pursue one's passions and dreams, no matter the cost. It reminds the listener that sometimes the greatest risks lead to the most fulfilling experiences, even if they come with the possibility of loss.

Overall, the song speaks to the courage it takes to pursue one's goals, believing in oneself and taking risks, recognizing that the journey is not always easy or certain, but also embracing the wonder and joy that come with discovering the unexpected.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll be gone when the air gets rough
I will leave when things become difficult for me to handle.

I can't breathe enough
I feel suffocated and overwhelmed in the current situation.

I'll be gone before all passion is burned
I will exit before my enthusiasm is completely extinguished.

Have you heard about how much it takes
Do you know how much effort is required?

When your heart just breaks
When your inner self is shattered into pieces.

Under all that's not a lift on your turn?
Is there no opportunity coming your way?

I'd be the last one who leaves
I would keep fighting till the end.

A ship on its trip to these
Embarking on a journey to unexplored territories.

Fulfilling islands that pleases
Discovering delightful places that fulfill your desires.

But it's going under
Unfortunately, it is all epic fails.

Give me a reason sail
Provide me with a convincing motive to continue forward.

On with those winds that just fail
Despite trying my best, my efforts are not producing desired outcomes.

To feed us true after all
To finally provide us with real sustenance.

I know your reason's small
I understand your incentives are meager and insignificant.

Hearts are free to wander
Our emotions are free to explore and experience various things.

Or go all under
Or face disappointment and loss.

Souls can fly to the sun
Our inner self can strive for greatness.

And burn or conquer
And either prove victorious or suffer defeat.

Worlds of freedom and beauty
Realms of liberation and aesthetic magnificence.

That makes you wonder
That leave us in awe and amazement.

I'm still here 'cause your heart is true
I am around because I believe in your sincerity.

I see more in you
I recognize your potential and have high hopes for you.

And I dare to trust in all that you are
I have faith in your character and capabilities.

Is it really the pain that eats
Is suffering truly gnawing at your insides?

All your swing that needs
Is all it requires a little push or encouragement?

A good shot of god we assume always far
Some divine intervention is believed to be too distant to obtain.

You'll be the last one to know
You will only realize when it is too late.

Impossibilities grow
The challenges increase in magnitude and complexity.

And in the end it will show
Ultimately, the outcome will reveal the truth.

How much you really want it
Your level of desire and determination will be evident.

Hand me your ladder to the sky
Provide me with a means to achieve the impossible.

I hold it until we fly
I will maintain a firm grip until we soar to greatness.

And when it starts to get cold
And when the times become arduous and challenging.

We keep the best of all
We will retain the most valuable thing amidst all the turmoil.

Contributed by Zoe Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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05Hearts Are Free4:05

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06The King Of It All4:45

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I'll be gone when the air gets rough
I can't breathe enough
I'll be gone before all passion is burned
Have you heard about how much it takes
When your heart just breaks
Under all that's not a lift on your turn?

I'd be the last one who leaves
A ship on its trip to these
Fulfilling islands that pleases
But it's going under
Give me a reason sail
On with those winds that just fail
To feed us true after all
I know your reason's small

Hearts are free to wander
Or go all under
Souls can fly to the sun
And burn or conquer
Worlds of freedom and beauty
That makes you wonder
Ah, ah!

I'm still here 'cause your heart is true
I see more in you
And I dare to trust in all that you are
Is it really the pain that eats
All your swing that needs
A good shot of god we assume always far

You'll be the last one to know:
Impossibilities grow
And in the end it will show
How much you really want it
Hand me your ladder to the sky
I hold it until we fly
And when it starts to get cold
We keep the best of all

Hearts are free to wander
Or go all under
Souls can fly to the sun
And burn or conquer
Worlds of freedom and beauty
That makes you wonder
Ah, ah!