Weikath

Weikath is the stage name of Michael Weikath, a German guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of the power metal band Helloween. Formed in 1984, Helloween became one of the leading groups in European speed and power metal, and Weikath has been a constant presence in the lineup through numerous changes over the decades.

As a guitarist and principal contributor to the band’s material, Weikath helped define Helloween’s early sound. He played on influential albums such as Walls of Jericho (1985) and Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I (1987) and Part II (1988), works that helped establish melodic speed metal as a major force. His playing combines rapid, energetic riffs with melodic lead passages and harmonic textures that became a hallmark of the band and the broader genre.

Throughout the 1990s and beyond, Weikath continued to contribute to Helloween’s releases, navigating lineup shifts and changes in musical direction, including the era with vocalist Andi Deris. He is widely regarded as a key figure in the development and endurance of power metal in Europe, helping to sustain Helloween’s influence and legacy within the metal scene.

Weikath’s long tenure with Helloween makes him one of the most enduring and recognizable members in the history of the band, and his contributions as guitarist and songwriter are central to the group’s enduring reputation.