Andi Deris
Andreas "Andi" Deris (born 18 August 1964) is a German singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as a lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the power metal band Helloween, which he joined in 1994 following the departure of Michael Kiske.[1][2] Born in Karlsruhe, Germany, Deris began his music career as a teenager, forming his first band Paranoid at age 15 and later performing with groups such as Nameless, Dragon, and Kymera before co-founding the hard rock band Pink Cream 69 in 1987, where he served as lead singer and contributed to the majority of their early songwriting.[2][3] Deris's tenure with Helloween marked a pivotal era for the band, as he helped revitalize their sound after internal challenges, contributing vocals and compositions to landmark albums including Master of the Rings (1994), The Time of the Oath (1996), The Dark Ride (2000), and Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy (2005).[2] His versatile vocal style, often drawing comparisons to influences like John Schlitt and Biff Byford, blended melodic power with hard rock edges, enabling Helloween to achieve commercial success such as a number-one album in Germany with their self-titled Helloween (2021).[2][4] In addition to his band work, Deris has maintained an active solo career, releasing albums like Come in from the Rain (1997), Done by Mirrors (1999), and Million Dollar Haircuts on Ten Cent Heads (2013) under his own Mi Sueño Music production company, which he operates from his recording studio in Tenerife, Spain, where he resides.[1][2] In 2017, Helloween announced a high-profile reunion with former members Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen, expanding the lineup and allowing Deris to share lead vocal duties while continuing his songwriting role, a configuration that produced the self-titled album Helloween (2021).[5] This reunited ensemble has been praised for bridging generational fanbases, with Deris emphasizing the group's ability to evolve without losing its core identity.[5] The band marked their 40th anniversary in 2025 with the release of Giants & Monsters on August 29, featuring Deris's contributions to tracks like "A Little Is a Little Too Much" and "This Is Tokyo," alongside a worldwide anniversary tour commencing in Europe that fall.[6][3] Deris has also made guest appearances on projects by artists such as Ayreon, Rage, and Saxon, showcasing his enduring influence in the heavy metal scene.[2]Musical Style
Vocal Range and Technique
Andi Deris possesses a high baritone voice capable of spanning nearly four octaves, extending from low growls around B♭1 to high falsettos reaching G♯5, allowing him to navigate a wide spectrum of tones in metal genres.[7] This range enables seamless transitions between deep, resonant lows and piercing highs, a versatility that distinguishes his contributions to power metal. Recent improvements, including quitting cigarettes, have reportedly expanded his upper register by two to three semitones, reducing strain on high notes and restoring a vitality reminiscent of his earlier career.[8] His vocal style is melodic yet aggressive, blending clean, emotive tones with raspy edges and distortion to convey the intensity of power metal. Deris employs mixed voice techniques to sustain high notes without excessive strain, combining chest resonance with head voice for a thick, powerful falsetto that adds emotional depth and dynamic contrast. This approach, developed through self-taught methods emphasizing diaphragmatic support—"technique from the stomach up"—helps maintain control during adrenaline-fueled live performances, where he balances aggression with precision to avoid vocal fatigue.[9] Over his career, Deris's technique has evolved from the raw, hard rock-infused delivery of his early years to a more refined power metal style, incorporating disciplined breath control and distortion for greater endurance and expressiveness. Influenced by observing rigorous vocal care practices, he now prioritizes mixed voice and moderation in chest usage to preserve higher registers across extended tours, resulting in a mature sound that enhances melodic aggression while sustaining performance quality.[9]Influences
Andi Deris's early musical development was shaped during his adolescence by glam and hard rock acts, including KISS, to whose music he initially learned guitar, and Deep Purple, which he has named as his favorite band.[10] These influences introduced him to energetic riffs and theatrical elements that informed his initial approach to performance and composition. Heavy metal vocalists, particularly Rob Halford of Judas Priest, had a profound impact on Deris's aggressive delivery and high-range techniques; he has described spending years analyzing Halford's ability to reach extreme pitches, even drawing inspiration for Helloween tracks like "Steel Tormentor."[10] Other key vocal influences include Paul Stanley of KISS and Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, whose styles encouraged Deris to explore dynamic and emotive singing.[10] In his songwriting, Deris incorporated 1980s hard rock riffing and melodic structures, blending them with contemporary elements to create accessible yet powerful compositions, as seen in Helloween's efforts to revive '80s influences alongside modern riffing. These foundational elements transitioned seamlessly into power metal upon joining Helloween in 1993, where Deris merged his hard rock sensibilities with the band's speed and melody, evolving earlier aggressive and melodic traits into the genre's epic frameworks while maintaining a focus on catchy, riff-driven songs.[11]Career
Early Bands (1979–1987)
Andi Deris began his musical journey in 1979 at the age of 15 by forming the band Paranoid in Karlsruhe, Germany, where he initially played guitar before transitioning to lead vocals, with the group primarily performing covers of rock bands that shaped his style, including Kiss and Aerosmith.[12][2] The band operated within the local Karlsruhe scene, honing Deris's early performance skills through gigs at small venues. In 1981, at age 17, Paranoid renamed itself Nameless, retaining Deris as vocalist and continuing to focus on cover songs, with drummer Jürgen Dechant later joining Pink Cream 69.[12][2] This period marked Deris's initial foray into consistent live performances and band dynamics in the amateur hard rock circuit. By late 1984, Deris joined Dragon, a group featuring brothers Bruno and Dirk Steinhauer on guitars, which evolved into Kymera by 1985, shifting toward original hard rock compositions that showcased Deris's emerging songwriting talents, including tracks like "I Was Made to Be with You" and "Rock Your Body Down."[2] In 1987, as Kymera, the band recorded the demo album No Mercy, featuring Deris on lead vocals across hard rock tracks such as "Stay Tonight" and "Go Away," representing his first recorded original material.[13] These efforts in the local scene involved navigating lineup adjustments and limited professional opportunities, ultimately leading Deris toward more structured projects.[12]Pink Cream 69 (1987–1993)
Pink Cream 69 was formed in 1987 in Karlsruhe, Germany, by vocalist Andi Deris, bassist Dennis Ward, drummer Kosta Zafiriou, and guitarist Alfred Koffler.[14][15] The band gained initial recognition by winning the Metal Hammer Newcomers Festival in Ludwigsburg in 1988, which led to a signing with Epic Records (a division of CBS/Sony) shortly thereafter.[16][17] The group's self-titled debut album, Pink Cream 69, was released on October 2, 1989, showcasing Deris's lead vocals and his contributions to songwriting alongside Ward.[18] Key tracks from the album included high-energy hard rock numbers that highlighted the band's melodic style. In 1991, Pink Cream 69 followed with their second studio album, One Size Fits All, and the EP 49°/8°, both of which further established their sound with Deris handling primary vocals and co-writing duties on several songs, such as "Walkin' Out to Heaven" from the former.[19] The third album, Games People Play, arrived on May 3, 1993, continuing Deris's role as the frontman and co-composer, with the record emphasizing the band's hard rock roots.[20][21] During this period, Pink Cream 69 achieved notable commercial success, particularly in Japan and Europe, where their albums resonated with hard rock audiences and led to strong sales in those markets.[22] The band supported this success with extensive touring, including opening slots for established acts like White Lion and Europe, as well as headlining shows across Europe and Asia.[22][23] Deris's versatile vocal style, well-suited to the genre's dynamic range, was a key element in their live performances and recordings.[24] In 1993, following the release of Games People Play, Deris decided to leave Pink Cream 69 after successfully auditioning for Helloween, marking the end of his tenure with the band after six years of professional activity.[24]Helloween (1993–present)
In late 1993, following the dismissal of vocalist Michael Kiske amid creative tensions and the band's experimental shift away from power metal, Helloween sought a new frontman to restore their signature sound. Andi Deris, then the lead singer of Pink Cream 69, auditioned successfully and joined the group, relocating from his native Karlsruhe to Hamburg to facilitate collaboration with the band's core members. This move marked a pivotal transition, as Deris brought a fresh energy and songwriting prowess that helped revitalize Helloween's trajectory.[25][26] Deris's debut with Helloween came on the 1994 album Master of the Rings, released on July 8, which introduced new drummer Uli Kusch alongside Deris and signaled a return to the band's high-octane power metal roots with tracks emphasizing melody and speed. The follow-up, The Time of the Oath (February 29, 1996), further solidified this resurgence, incorporating thematic elements inspired by Nostradamus prophecies and featuring Deris's prominent songwriting contributions, such as the introspective ballad "Why?". Over the subsequent decades, Deris co-wrote numerous key tracks, including high-energy anthems like "Power" from the 1996 single of the same name, blending his melodic sensibilities with guitarist Michael Weikath's riffs to produce enduring fan favorites. These albums received strong critical acclaim for recapturing Helloween's classic intensity after the less favorably reviewed Chameleon era, though some observers noted Deris's more versatile, mid-range vocal style contrasted with Kiske's soaring highs, sparking ongoing debates among fans about the band's two defining periods.[27][28][29][30] Lineup shifts punctuated the Deris era, notably in 2001 when drummer Uli Kusch and guitarist Roland Grapow were dismissed due to internal disagreements over creative direction and focus on side projects; they subsequently formed Masterplan. Guitarist Sascha Gerstner joined in 2002, followed by drummer Daniel Löble in 2005, stabilizing the core quintet of Deris, Weikath, Gerstner, bassist Markus Grosskopf, and Löble for over a decade of consistent touring and releases. This period saw Helloween evolve while maintaining power metal foundations, with Deris's leadership fostering a collaborative dynamic that balanced high-energy live performances and studio innovation.[31] The band's trajectory took an exciting turn in 2016 with the announcement of a reunion involving former vocalist Michael Kiske and guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen, expanding the lineup to seven members for the "Pumpkins United" world tour starting in 2018. This collaboration culminated in the self-titled Helloween album on June 18, 2021, where Deris and Kiske shared lead vocals, blending their styles on tracks that honored the band's legacy while exploring new ground. The reunion's success led to the 2025 release of Giants & Monsters on August 29, the second album from this augmented formation, praised for its vigorous songwriting and production by Charlie Bauerfeind and Alex Dietz. In the reunited setup, Deris and Kiske alternate vocals to showcase their complementary strengths, enhancing band dynamics and fan engagement. This era peaked with the 40th anniversary world tour, launching in Europe on October 17, 2025, and extending to North America in spring 2026 with support from Beast in Black, celebrating Helloween's enduring impact through a setlist spanning both vocal eras.[6][32][33][34]Solo Work
Solo Albums
Andi Deris has released three solo studio albums to date, with no new releases since 2013. His solo work often reflects personal themes of introspection and relationships, tying loosely to aspects of his family life. The albums were primarily issued on CD formats, with some international variations and reissues.Studio Albums
| Album Title | Release Date | Label | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Come in from the Rain | March 1997 | Virgin Records | CD, Cassette (limited regions) [[35]](https://www.allmusic.com/album/come-in-from-the-rain-mw0000741922) [[36]](https://www.discogs.com/master/274267-Andi-Deris-Come-In-From-The-Rain) |
| Done by Mirrors | November 1999 | Massacre Records | CD (Japan release 1999; Europe 2000) [[37]](https://www.discogs.com/master/427426-Deris-Done-By-Mirrors) [[38]](https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Andi_Deris_and_the_Bad_Bankers/20106) |
| Million-Dollar Haircuts on Ten-Cent Heads | November 22, 2013 | earMUSIC | CD, Vinyl, Digital [[39]](https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Andi_Deris_and_The_Bad_Bankers/Million_Dollar_Haircuts_on_Ten_Cent_Heads/611174) [[40]](https://www.discogs.com/master/698872-Andi-Deris-And-The-Bad-Bankers-Million-Dollar-Haircuts-On-Ten-Cent-Heads) |
Singles
- 1000 Years Away (1997, Virgin Records, CD single) [[38]](https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Andi_Deris_and_the_Bad_Bankers/20106)
- Good Bye Jenny (1997, Virgin Records, CD single) [[38]](https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Andi_Deris_and_the_Bad_Bankers/20106) [[41]](https://www.discogs.com/master/677602-Andi-Deris-Good-Bye-Jenny)
Side Projects
Deris has made select guest appearances on other artists' recordings, emphasizing his vocal contributions without forming additional ongoing bands. In 2000, he provided guest vocals on Ayreon's album The Universal Migrator Part I: The Dream Sequencer [[42]](https://blabbermouth.net/news/ayreon-guest-singers-announced). In 2003, he contributed guest vocals on the track "Falling From Grace: Part 1 - Wake The Nightmares" from the German metal band Rage's album Soundchaser [[43]](https://www.discogs.com/release/3588132-Rage-Soundchaser). In 2007, Deris appeared as a guest vocalist on Saxon's single "I've Got to Rock (To Stay Alive)" [[44]](https://blabbermouth.net/news/saxon-i-ve-got-to-rock-video-featuring-lemmy-angry-anderson-andi-deris-available). Over a decade later, in 2014, Deris featured as a guest singer on "Addicted To The Night" from Love.Might.Kill's album World War 3, a collaboration that highlighted his melodic metal style alongside the band's lineup [[45]](https://blabbermouth.net/news/helloweens-andi-deris-featured-in-love-might-kills-addicted-to-the-night-video). Deris has not been extensively involved in production or songwriting for projects outside Helloween and Pink Cream 69, with his efforts post-1990s primarily centered on his main band commitments [[2]](https://metalstorm.net/bands/bandmember.php?member_id=183). These sporadic collaborations reflect a deliberate focus on Helloween's output rather than pursuing numerous side endeavors.Personal Life
Family
Andi Deris has a son born in 1992.[46] He has been married for over 30 years as of 2019.[47] Deris maintains a high degree of privacy regarding his family, with personal details emerging only rarely through interviews focused on his professional life.[47][46] In discussions about his career, Deris has described balancing family responsibilities with music by leveraging his home studio setup, which allows for structured workdays of eight to nine hours while accommodating family time, such as meals or outings.[48] This arrangement contrasts with earlier periods when extended studio absences separated him from his family for months.[48] His family's needs have influenced relocation decisions, enabling a lifestyle that supports both personal well-being and professional commitments.[48]Residence
Andi Deris relocated to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain, in the mid-1990s, motivated by family considerations and the pursuit of creative inspiration in a warmer climate.[49] The move allowed him to escape the cold, rainy winters of Germany, fulfilling a long-held dream reflected in his solo album Come In From The Rain, where he expressed a desire to leave for sunnier shores.[50] His personal studio, Mi Sueno, located there, has served as a key hub for Helloween recordings, offering a serene setting for musical development away from urban hustle.[51] Deris balances his Tenerife base with the global travel essential to Helloween's tours, using the island's tranquility to recharge between international commitments.[52] As of 2025, no changes to his residence have occurred, with the location continuing to support his work-life equilibrium.[53]Discography
with Helloween
Andi Deris joined Helloween as lead vocalist in 1993 and has contributed to all subsequent studio albums, initially as the sole lead singer and, following the 2017 reunion with former vocalist Michael Kiske, sharing lead vocal duties on the 2021 self-titled album and the 2025 release Giants & Monsters. The band's output during this period marked a return to commercial success, with several albums achieving top-10 positions in Germany and other European countries.Studio Albums
| Title | Release Date | German Chart Peak | Other Notable Charts | Certifications | Vocal Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of the Rings | 3 October 1994 | 22 | Switzerland: 35 | Gold (Germany) | Sole lead vocals by Deris |
| The Time of the Oath | 18 March 1996 | 15 | Switzerland: 23, Sweden: 29 | - | Sole lead vocals by Deris |
| Better Than Raw | 23 March 1998 | 17 | Switzerland: 40 | - | Sole lead vocals by Deris |
| The Dark Ride | 30 October 2000 | 14 | Switzerland: 71 | - | Sole lead vocals by Deris |
| Rabbit Don't Come Easy | 19 May 2003 | 21 | Switzerland: 54 | - | Sole lead vocals by Deris |
| Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy | 29 August 2005 | 20 | Finland: 24, Sweden: 35 | - | Sole lead vocals by Deris |
| Gambling with the Devil | 26 October 2007 | 38 | Switzerland: 48, Finland: 26 | - | Sole lead vocals by Deris |
| 7 Sinners | 22 October 2010 | 25 | Switzerland: 43, Finland: 8 | - | Sole lead vocals by Deris |
| Straight Out of Hell | 18 January 2013 | 4 | Switzerland: 11, Finland: 1, Sweden: 6 | - | Sole lead vocals by Deris |
| My God-Given Right | 29 May 2015 | 8 | Switzerland: 3, Finland: 1, Sweden: 6, UK: 75, US: 172 | - | Sole lead vocals by Deris |
| Helloween | 18 June 2021 | 1 | Switzerland: 1, Finland: 1, Sweden: 1, UK: 24, US: 124 | Gold (Czech Republic) | Shared lead vocals with Michael Kiske |
| Giants & Monsters | 29 August 2025 | 3 | Sweden: 6 | - | Shared lead vocals with Michael Kiske |
Live Albums
Key live releases featuring Andi Deris as lead vocalist include recordings from major tours, capturing the band's high-energy performances.| Title | Release Date | German Chart Peak | Other Notable Charts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Live | 3 June 1996 | - | - | First live album with Deris; recorded during 1996 tour supporting The Time of the Oath. |
| Live in Santiago de Chile | 25 September 2007 (DVD), 28 September 2007 (CD) | 64 (CD) | - | Recorded during 2006 South American tour; retitled Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy World Tour 2005/2006 for some editions. |
| United Alive in Madrid!! | 25 October 2019 | 25 | Switzerland: 10, Finland: 4 | Recorded at WiZink Center in 2018; features 25 tracks from Deris-era and classic material. |
| Helloween: Live on Pumpkins United | 12 November 2021 | 58 | Sweden: 23 | Captures the 2019 reunion tour performance in Czech Republic; includes shared vocals with Kiske on select tracks. |
| Live at Budokan | 13 December 2024 | - | - | Recorded during 2023 Japanese tour; second live album from the reunion era, emphasizing Deris and Kiske's dual vocals. |
with Pink Cream 69
Andi Deris served as the lead vocalist for Pink Cream 69 from the band's formation in 1987 until 1993, contributing to their early hard rock releases through his distinctive vocal performances and significant songwriting involvement.[54] The band's debut album, Pink Cream 69, was released on October 2, 1989, in Europe by Epic Records, with Deris handling lead vocals on all tracks and co-writing several songs alongside bassist Dennis Ward.[55] Produced by Dirk Steffens, the album featured a glam metal sound and achieved notable success in Japan, entering the album charts there.[22] International editions included a U.S. release in 1990 via Epic, expanding its reach in North America.[56] In 1991, Pink Cream 69 issued their second album, One Size Fits All, on May 22, also produced by Steffens and released by Epic.[57] Deris again provided lead vocals and co-authored key tracks, such as "Walkin' Out to Heaven," which exemplified the band's melodic hard rock style and was promoted as a single in Europe.[58] The album reached high chart positions in Germany, Switzerland, and Japan, solidifying the band's growing international presence.[16] Supporting singles included "Ballerina" and "Do You Like It Like That," both released as maxi-singles in Europe, with Deris's vocal delivery highlighted in promotional efforts.[14] The band's third and final album with Deris, Games People Play, arrived on May 3, 1993, via Epic, co-produced by Steffens and the band itself, including Deris's input on arrangements.[21] Deris contributed lead vocals and co-wrote multiple songs, blending hard rock with more progressive elements, and the release featured European and Japanese editions to capitalize on prior success in those markets.[20] Singles from the album, such as "Somedays I Sail" and "Face in the Mirror," were issued as CD maxi-singles in Europe, though specific chart data for this period remains limited beyond continued airplay in Japan.[14] During his tenure, Deris also appeared on promotional EPs like 49°/8° (December 1991, Epic), which included live tracks and bonus material for European and Japanese audiences.[59] Following the release of Games People Play, Deris departed Pink Cream 69 to join Helloween later in 1993.[54]Solo Albums
Andi Deris has released three solo studio albums to date, with no new releases since 2013. His solo work often reflects personal themes of introspection and relationships, tying loosely to aspects of his family life. The albums were primarily issued on CD formats, with some international variations and reissues.Studio Albums
| Album Title | Release Date | Label | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Come in from the Rain | March 1997 | Virgin Records | CD, Cassette (limited regions) [] (https://www.allmusic.com/album/come-in-from-the-rain-mw0000741922) [] (https://www.discogs.com/master/274267-Andi-Deris-Come-In-From-The-Rain) |
| Done by Mirrors | November 1999 | Massacre Records | CD (Japan release 1999; Europe 2000) [] (https://www.discogs.com/master/427426-Deris-Done-By-Mirrors) [] (https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Andi_Deris_and_the_Bad_Bankers/20106) |
| Million-Dollar Haircuts on Ten-Cent Heads | November 22, 2013 | earMUSIC | CD, Vinyl, Digital [] (https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Andi_Deris_and_The_Bad_Bankers/Million_Dollar_Haircuts_on_Ten_Cent_Heads/611174) [] (https://www.discogs.com/master/698872-Andi-Deris-And-The-Bad_Bankers-Million-Dollar-Haircuts-On-Ten-Cent-Heads) |
Singles
- 1000 Years Away (1997, Virgin Records, CD single) [] (https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Andi_Deris_and_the_Bad_Bankers/20106)
- Good Bye Jenny (1997, Virgin Records, CD single) [] (https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Andi_Deris_and_the_Bad_Bankers/20106) [] (https://www.discogs.com/master/677602-Andi-Deris-Good-Bye-Jenny)