Uli Kusch
Ulrich Kusch, born
March 11,
1967, is a
heavy metal drummer. He has played with
Gamma Ray,
Helloween, and now with
Masterplan.
In 1990, after first drummer of
Gamma Ray (band) Mathias Burchard quit the band,
Kai Hansen recruited Uli to perform in his band... In this lineup, in year 1991 the band released their second full-length studio album, labeled
Sigh No More and went on the world tour.
However, in 1993, Uli quit Gamma Ray in favor of Kai's first band,
Helloween, who were suffering from dramatic lineup changes. Lead vocalist
Michael Kiske had quit had due to personal conflicts with
Michael Weikath and some of band's overall issues (including troubles with record label, and thew poor sales of their two last albums) and drummer
Ingo Schwichtenberg was let go due to drug addiction and
schizophrenia. Uli was brought into to replace Ingo (who would tragically commit suidice around a year later).
Andi Deris replaced Kiske.
Uli lasted with Helloween between 1994's
Master of the Rings and 2000's
The Dark Ride, developing into a key songwriter for the band. A dispute between
Weiki and both Uli and Roland saw the latter two depart to form
Masterplan, something they had originally been planning as a side project.
In 2005, Uli formed a new band called
Beautiful Sin with help from
Masterplan bandmate
Axel Mackenrott and members of
Pagan's Mind.
Masterplan recorded two studio albums, one
self-named in 2003 and
Aeronautics in 2005.