Ingo Schwichtenberg
Encyclopedia
Ingo Schwichtenberg was one of the founding members of German power metal
band Helloween
and was famous for his high-energy drumming.
All the Helloween members gave the nickname, "Mr. Smile", because it was hard to find him without a smile on his face. In the Helloween photo studios, Ingo was always with a smile.
Schwichtenberg was ejected from the band in 1993 during the tour of the album Chameleon. The dismissal was reportedly due to Ingo's dependence on alcohol and drugs (most notably cocaine
and hashish
). Ingo also suffered from schizophrenia
, and his refusal to take his medication would lead to bizarre episodes such as uncontrollable sobbing, which made it impossible for him to take the stage. Schwichtenberg was apparently somewhat dissatisfied with the direction of the band as well, and especially did not care for the song Windmill
(to which he referred to as "Shitmill" according to band member Michael Weikath
) from the Chameleon album.
After his ejection from the band, Schwichtenberg slid further and further into his schizophrenic episodes, culminating in his suicide
in 1995, by jumping in front of a subway train. Schwichtenberg's replacement in the band was Uli Kusch
.
His friend Kai Hansen
had dedicated the song "Afterlife", from Gamma Ray
's Land of the Free
to him. As well, Michael Kiske
made a tribute to Schwichtenberg with the track "Always", from his first solo album Instant Clarity
.
with Doc Eisenhauer
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band 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...
and was famous for his high-energy drumming.
All the Helloween members gave the nickname, "Mr. Smile", because it was hard to find him without a smile on his face. In the Helloween photo studios, Ingo was always with a smile.
Schwichtenberg was ejected from the band in 1993 during the tour of the album Chameleon. The dismissal was reportedly due to Ingo's dependence on alcohol and drugs (most notably cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
and hashish
Hashish
Hashish is a cannabis preparation composed of compressed stalked resin glands, called trichomes, collected from the unfertilized buds of the cannabis plant. It contains the same active ingredients but in higher concentrations than unsifted buds or leaves...
). Ingo also suffered from schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
, and his refusal to take his medication would lead to bizarre episodes such as uncontrollable sobbing, which made it impossible for him to take the stage. Schwichtenberg was apparently somewhat dissatisfied with the direction of the band as well, and especially did not care for the song Windmill
Windmill (song)
"Windmill" is a song by the German power metal band Helloween taken from the album Chameleon. It was released in some countries as Windmill...
(to which he referred to as "Shitmill" according to band member 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...
) from the Chameleon album.
After his ejection from the band, Schwichtenberg slid further and further into his schizophrenic episodes, culminating in his suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
in 1995, by jumping in front of a subway train. Schwichtenberg's replacement in the band was Uli Kusch
Uli Kusch
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.-Biography:...
.
His friend 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...
had dedicated the song "Afterlife", from 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...
's Land of the Free
Land of the Free (album)
Land of the Free is the fourth studio album by German power metal band Gamma Ray, released in 1995. Continuing a trend that would conclude with the band's fifth studio release, the lineup for the album was different from the previous one, as Land of the Free was the first Gamma Ray album to be...
to him. As well, Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske is a singer best known as the lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween, from 1986 to 1993. From 1996 up to 2009, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, while he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist...
made a tribute to Schwichtenberg with the track "Always", from his first solo album Instant Clarity
Instant Clarity
Instant Clarity is the first solo album of vocalist Michael Kiske . The album features guest appearances by Kai Hansen and Adrian Smith...
.
Discography
with HelloweenHelloween
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...
- HelloweenHelloween (album)-Credits:*Kai Hansen – vocals, Guitar*Michael Weikath – Guitar*Markus Grosskopf – Bass*Ingo Schwichtenberg – drums-Facts:* Recorded January – February, 1985 at Musiclab Studio, Berlin, Germany* Produced by Helloween...
(1985) - Walls of JerichoWalls of Jericho (album)Walls of Jericho is the debut full length studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1985 on LP and had an important development in the power metal giving some influences.In 1988 Walls of Jericho was released on CD...
(1985) - Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1 (1987)
- Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2*"Save Us" was not included on the original LP: appears on the NOISE Records release.*Tracks 1 and 2 also appear on the "Dr. Stein" single*Track 3 also appears on the "I Want Out" single*Tracks 4 and 5 also appear on the Treasure Chest compilation...
(1988) - Pink Bubbles Go ApePink Bubbles Go ApePink Bubbles Go Ape is the fourth studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1991. It marked the departure of guitarist Kai Hansen, with Roland Grapow replacing him...
(1991) - Chameleon (1993)
with Doc Eisenhauer
- Alles Im Lack (1992) - Drums on "Pharao"
External links
- Ingo-memory-page - a website dedicated to the memory of Ingo Schwichtenberg
- Official Helloween site