Michael Kiske - Instant Clarity (1996)+ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Produced by Michael Kiske. Engineered by Charlie Bauerfeind. Mixed by Michael Kiske and Charlie Bauerfeind except "A Song Is Just A Moment" Engineered and Mixed by Michael Kiske. Michael Kiske Photographed by Simon Fowler. Design by Hugh Gilmour @ Castle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Track Listing 1) Be True To Yourself (Kiske) 4:38 2) The Calling (Kiske, Adrian Smith / Kiske) 4:07 3) Somebody Somewhere (Ciriaco Taraxes, Kiske / Kiske) 4:27 4) Burned Out (Taraxes) 4:44 5) New Horizons (Smith, Kiske, Kai Hansen / Kiske) 4:21 6) Hunted (Kiske, Taraxes / Kiske) 4:24 7) Always (Kiske) 4:29 8) Thanx A Lot! (Kiske) 5:24 9) Time's Passing By (Kai Rudi Wolke / Wolke, Taraxes) 3:42 10) So Sick (Kiske) 4:24 11) Do I Remember A Life? (Kiske, Taraxes / Kiske) 10:18 12) A Song Is Just A Moment (Kiske) 4:13 - Japanese bonus track ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thanks to ... and everybody at The Yamaha Tokyo RAD Centre (This record is maybe the first one in Europe that has been mixed on the new Yamaha 02r Digital Recording Console), ... . Thanks to Sascha Paeth of Heavens Gate (Press midi, mix and enter... ). Funny thanks to the remaining rest of Helloween for being a loud warning for me about what 'true' art and friendship was never meant to be: Du gleichst dem Geist den Du begreilst, nicht mir. - (Goethe, Faust I) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) Be True To Yourself (Kiske) 4:38 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals; Michael Kiske, Kai Hansen - Guitars; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) I came down But my head went up I had no doubts And hope there was not Break it loose Spread the news Get it out Make it loud Sing it! I got it comin' there is nothing that can stop me I feel it comin' there's no limit to the free me The sky is open and the angels sing it so clear I am the winner over all these hidden fears Be true to yourself! I have found I once was lost I came round To see what it costs Kick it up To the top There's a lot That I got Hear it! Don't wanna look back, got to start to see the future Don't wanna hold back, got to let it out and to ya The bomb is ticking, I know it's gonna blow up Right now there's nothing, no one, Nowhere that can make it stop! Be true to yourself! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2) The Calling (Kiske, Adrian Smith / Kiske) 4:07 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals; Michael Kiske, Adrian Smith - Guitars; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) Well better it's when you can hold on to it When you keep the grip to push it higher The further you get the more you use it up You got to look for news and you better do! Give me something that'll last forever And I can help you to see the fire Yeah, anything that'll do the driving I will take while driving's what we better do! God send whispers, shining colour pictures go all through my head A new light shines over everything I ever knew and everything I did! I hear you calling my name I hear you calling just the same How could I know that I would get to see it When I keep the laws of all our fathers? The more I pray the more they take control The more they bless my soul and I want 'em to! Up to the stars that's where my soul is flying And I see that nothing else matters With everything that my heart can take They gonna lift me up and I see the truth! God send whispers, shining colour pictures go all through my head A new light shines over everything I ever knew and everything I did! I hear you calling my name I hear you calling just the same And I wanna fly so high when I die! Solo: Adrian / Kai ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3) Somebody Somewhere (Ciriaco Taraxes, Kiske / Kiske) 4:27 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals; Ciriaco Taraxes - Guitars; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) When it gets to red No air to breathe Then I am thinking What if I go now? When I feel upside down The pain don't leave Then I am thinking What if I go now? You may believe here's all you want to achieve Can somebody help him!? You may believe I'm not brave enough to leave A little bit of life is more than everything you're begging for Hey! Is somebody out there? Somebody tell me there's some living in this crazy world Hey! Somebody somewhere! Can you feel the cold and emptiness in this crazy world Hey! Somebody help me! Somebody take my hand and lift me up to something good Oh, when somebody's leaving, It's got to be sometime. It's got to be sometime When it was too much Of pleasure blood That she was taking (she thinks:) What if I go now? When it all comes down To lies and truth And no one gives in (she thinks:) What if he goes now? You may believe you're all that's possible Somebody tell her! You may believe you miss all the cream and more! A little bit of light is more than everything you're wishing for! Hey! Is somebody out there? Somebody tell me there's some living in this crazy world Hey! Somebody somewhere! Can you feel the cold and emptiness in this crazy world Hey! Somebody help me! Somebody take my hand and lift me up to something good Oh, when somebody's leaving, It's got to be sometime. It's got to be sometime ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4) Burned Out (Taraxes) 4:44 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals; Ciriaco Taraxes - Guitars; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) Black winds and blue waters A universe of sounds Emptiness and sunshine It's all the same She dreams about flowers And opens up her mind When she is near it's oh so clear I'm waiting I'm waiting for a day without a sign I'm waiting to show the love I kept inside She's burned out without love She's thinking about to go The memories the apologies and everything So what you're gonna do girl? Everyone thinks you're a fool child You tried to love, it breaks your heart Breaks your heart Sweet child come take my hand I know the reason why you're sad All the love I have to give to you Come on smile, look at me Show me what you really feel All your tears will dry before the night I'm waiting for a day without a sign I'm waiting to show the love I kept inside She's burned out without love She's thinking about to go The memories the apologies and everything So what you're gonna do girl? Everyone thinks you're a fool child You tried to love, it breaks your heart Breaks your heart ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5) New Horizons (Smith, Kiske, Hansen / Kiske) 4:21 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals; Kai Hansen, Adrian Smith - Guitars; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) My heart is burning In my head it's turning Can't open my eyes 'Till I'm really myself I got a fever A reason to move on A reason to speak out The word of the words Can I kick it higher? Please let me be a fire! Is there a little time for me? The morning light comes closer I feel it near! Break down the walls! Wash away all the pain! New horizons drawing near The change will come and say it clear Things we know they cannot last Don't cling to the past Hey there! If you care! Don't sleep through the changes! Don't creep like a dog Try to wake up and see Higher and higher The journey will take us We all got to grab To the stars up above! Can I kick it higher? Please let me be a fire! Is there a little time for me? The morning light comes closer I feel it near! Break down the walls! Wash away all the pain! New horizons drawing near The change will come and say it clear Things we know they cannot last Don't cling to the past Solo: Kai / Adrian / Kai Save yourself and free your heart The keeper of life is around Keep your head high and march! Here I go again It's your last chance to join in Can I kick it higher? Please let me be a fire! Is there a little time for me? The morning light comes closer I feel it near! Break down the walls! Wash away all the pain! New horizons drawing near The change will come and say it clear Things we know they cannot last Don't cling to the past ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6) Hunted (Kiske, Taraxes / Kiske) 4:24 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals; Michael Kiske, Ciriaco Taraxes - Guitars; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) Did you ever ask yourself About the way things might have been? Did you ever blame yourself About the mess that now you're in? God I hate you! But should I hate you? Did you ever ask yourself Why everybody's looking at you? Did you ever ask yourself If there's anything left to do? I know! You hang my head You burn my heart You break my neck You're hunting me! I'm angry - can you feel me? I'm hungry - for the truth I'm hunted - like a madman I suffer - just like you! Have you ever been really down And seen it all from there? Will you hide your glory now Or do you want to share? Did you ever think about The chance that you did wrong? Did you ever think about That no other chance may come? I know! You hang my head You burn my heart You break my neck You're hunting me! I'm angry - can you feel me? I'm hungry - for the truth I'm hunted - like a madman I suffer - just like you! You can paint all black white men - but you will never be free! You can hate your heart dead man - but you will never be free! You can turn the world around - but you can never see me! You can make the sun go down - but can never see me! You can make my body dead - but you can never beat me! You can lie your heart out man - but you will never beat me! Solo: Adrian I'm angry - can you feel me? I'm hungry - for the truth I'm hunted - like a madman I suffer - just like you! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7) Always (Kiske) 4:29 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Piano, Keyboards; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) There is no place for me And no one to set me free There is no way to go There is no place for me Where it's warm and where I can be At least there is no place that I know Sometimes it's hard to see that you're running out of luck Right now it's my own life I don't know With everything I did I was the one who laughed Yes I was always tall and smiled Yes everything I did I thought would always last And I felt always strong inside Now there is no place for me And no one to set me free There is no way to go There is no place for me Where it's warm and where I can be At least there is no place that I know But I'm fine, I'm alright even though there's nothing left 'Cos what it means I'm sure will show Sometimes along the way I lost the key for it But I was always true inside Somewhere inside myself I'm praying for a bit Of what was always open wide When I look around there's only broken glass I see And everywhere I reach it's hunting me Looking back I find there was not much how it should be It's slowly killing me! I got to go, kick all dust off my shoes Take all that's good inside and turn it 'round 'Cos with everything I did I was the one who laughed Yes I was always tall and smiled Yes everything I did I thought would always last And I felt always strong inside Sometimes along the way I lost the key for it But I was always true inside Somewhere inside myself I'm praying for a bit Of what was always open wide (This song is dedicated to Ingo Schwichtenberg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8) Thanx A Lot! (Kiske) 5:24 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals, Guitars; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) Downstairs, left floor No one opens that door Next to the old man Some light now and then I do care, look everywhere And when I get a chance, I surely will share Some say it's not my scene But I think someone's got to keep the house clean A middle class working man, that's what I am People like me, we all do what we can All these whole worlds in those heads We'll see where it all gets My fingers are crossed anyway If time isn't on our side I don't think we'll keep our pride All those good plans that we got All this good fun: Thanx a lot! Could something be wrong with our play? If time isn't on our side I don't think we'll keep our pride I get my thrills With all kinds of overkills Never get enough I don't think I ever will Have you seen the magazine Where man kills wife and kids 'cos of a failed dream? I think it's hot and: thanx a lot! For the ten great shots of car crashes that now I got Around the corner was an accident Was cool blood, so I went All these whole worlds in those heads We'll see where it all gets My fingers are crossed anyway If time isn't on our side I don't think we'll keep our pride All those good plans that we got All this good fun: Thanx a lot! Could something be wrong with our play? If time isn't on our side I don't think we'll keep our pride There is not much I feel Can't tell what's fake or real I've got to see some blood Oh baby: Thanx a lot! Solo: Kai If I had some money That would be so cool I'd buy a lot of guns to be nobody's fool I'm smarter than you and the president I will be laughing at the end All these whole worlds in those heads We'll see where it all gets My fingers are crossed anyway If time isn't on our side I don't think we'll keep our pride All those good plans that we got All this good fun: Thanx a lot! Could something be wrong with our play? If time isn't on our side I don't think we'll keep our pride ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9) Time's Passing By (Wolke / Wolke, Taraxes) 3:42 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals; Kai Rudi Wolke, Ciriaco Taraxes - Guitars; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) Well I see all those faces Who'll never believe in this world Oh I, I've been wasting so much time Time to get into their minds Oh I will never close my eyes Will never lie It's time to make it happen Go inside Time's passing by We are getting closer to it Come and take my hand Leave behind the nasty world That surrounds you and I And finally we fly We can make it It you really want you can get it Get it out of your head - Well I've seen all those places I've seen all the pain in this world Oh, I've seen them waste their lives Day by day, living lies Time's passing by We are getting closer to it Come and take my hand Leave behind the nasty world That surrounds you and I And finally we fly We can make it It you really want you can get it Get it out of your head - Crime! Time! Time's passing by We are getting closer to it Come and take my hand Leave behind the nasty world That surrounds you and I And finally we fly We can make it It you really want you can get it Get it out of your head ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10) So Sick (Kiske) 4:24 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals, Guitars; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) I'm sick of finding there is no one you can trust I'm sick of hearing money making's a must I'm tired of seeing people slander behind backs I can't stand seeing you sneaking up my arse! I get ill when I see what people do for cash How little love means and everyday it means less Headline-lies to feed the hunger for hate Can anybody tell me that it's not too late? But I see light - it shines so bright Can anybody say what is happening to me? Can anybody say? Even art is sold for the cheapest success To express yourself means nothing I guess?! But I'm telling you all, there's nothing else that I'll do 'Cause what keeps me goin' ain't the praise from you! Mr. Smart is loud calling everyone to roar Calls himself a real friend, the perfect friend I'm wishing for! I know he just means good by trying to tell me how to play It's just I don't give a shit 'bout anything he'll say 'Cause I see light - it shines so bright Can anybody say what is happening to me? Can anybody say? This business's a lie - I don't believe in it - This business's a lie Well it's hip to be stupid - so I like to be smart And when they say it's all over - I like to give it a start And when it's hip to be hip - I give a hip hip shit And when they want me to go on - I'm pretty sure that I quit I ain't running this race - it ain't worth a tear I won't swear for this - to me everything is clear If now I didn't make a point - there is no point to make I don't want a piece of your cake! It's all so cheap and dumb - A sick after money run I didn't mean to wake you up - but I slept too long I won't fight with fools and that is really victory There are sides to choose and only one will let me be I know I got some friends, but even if there's just a few I won't feed the blind, no that's the less I wanna do! What means everything to me no one gives a damn And what's nothing in my eyes is held high up in their hands Don't wanna please anyone, don't wanna give what's been asked And what's the first for you, for me it's the last ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11) Do I Remember A Life? (Kiske, Taraxes / Kiske) 10:18 (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Sound Effects; Ciriaco Taraxes - Piano; Norbert Krietemeyer - Flute; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) I once was a blue eyed I once dreamed I was free I once dived in a life spending sea And heard the voice of the priest I once heard the angels Singing the song of the cross There was no fear, no doubts in our hearts No soul could ever get lost I prayed to the heavens above I reached for the sky full of love Awaited the luminous sign To hear what's heard by the pure-restless mind Now you can see me return I look for the priest to make me learn Will I remember the past? Make me return to the best! Do I remember a life? In the dark age of time? I hear it call in my dreams Maybe I was not alone? Maybe I called friends my own? Together hearts full of love! I know my heart says the truth Maybe it was me and you? I got to return to the wind This world is never our home Somewhere I left friends alone Can someone show me the way? Do I remember a life? There once was the mystery That now sings in my heart The fire in my veins talks so loud about the past About the place where the love for our hearts starts We once moved through the cold fields Strong and save led by the gods The voices in the wind sang the children to sleep Fire spirits looked clear through the dark I pray to the heavens above I reach for the sky full of love I wait for the luminous sign To hear what's heard by the pure-restless mind I see the twelve around the ONE The mystery truth to carry on A fight against the strong earth-kings The sungod's light we had to bring Do I remember a life? In the dark age of time? I hear it call in my dreams Maybe I was not alone? Maybe I called friends my own? Together hearts full of love! I know my heart says the truth Maybe it was me and you? I got to return to the wind This world is never our home Somewhere I left friends alone Can someone show me the way? Do I remember a life? Oh, god! Help me to understand me Guide me through visions I see So far You carry my soul back in time The past shows the future to climb Oh, god! Did I once be free by your side? Will I once return to your light? So far - Away from this world leads your love My heart gets the wings of a dove and flies Oh, god! Help me to sing you this song I pray for your kingdom to come ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12) A Song Is Just A Moment (Kiske) 4:13 - Japanese bonus track (Michael Kiske - Lead Vocals, Guitars; Jens Mencl - Bass; Kai Rudi Wolke - Drums) A song is just a moment that might never come back A song is just a feeling that sometimes I regret When in that magic moment a melody is born Some other moments later it may bother like a thorn Because I've got to live my life like everyone must do I don't regret a single feeling I had to walk through Life is a thing to get to know ourselves And you're a king when clear you hear those bells It's clear, so clear I see! I write down my emotions to see what's up inside I walk across the bridge called life and found a place to hide Who ever you may talk to, the sky will still be blue! What ever you may talk 'bout me, it shows what's inside 'o you If there's a truth, it stays the truth, what ever mankind does I just decited silently: I do believe in love Life is a thing to get to know ourselves And you're a king when clear you hear those bells It's clear, so clear I see! Things are coming, things are going, who will make the score? I feel that I'm not scared as much as I was years before! My mind is a thing that changes colours fast What time ever brings, we know it never lasts Who knows? Maybe God? Maybe God! ------------------------------------------------------------------------