Hamburg's GENTRY was the first stepping stone in the evolution of major league German Heavy Metal act HELLOWEEN. Guitarist Kai Hansen, previously with ANCIENT CALL, bass player Marcus Großkopf and drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg had been playing together since the late 70s with an inaugural band unit billed as GENTRY. This unit in 1978 featured singer / guitarist Peter Sielck, Hansen, singer Frank, bassist Christian and drummer Johannes. The Gentry membership was fluid, but Großkopf, previously of TRAUMSCHIFF, and Schwichtenberg enrolled some two years later, after which the group evolved into SECOND HELL then, in 1982, IRON FIST. Sielck departed IRON FIST that same year, effectively putting the band on ice, so during this period of inactivity Hansen received an offer to join POWERFOOL, featuring guitarist Michael Weikath. As things turned out Hansen lured Michael to his own band and then changed the name to HELLOWEEN. Sielck scored co-writing credits for tracks included on HELLOWEEN's 'Helloween' EP and 'Walls Of Jericho' album.

At the height of HELLOWEEN's success in 1988, Kai Hansen exited to forge GAMMA RAY, this band soon rivalling HELLOWEEN itself. Peter Sielck, who had retired from the stage to pursue a studio career, bounced back with a new band billed IRON SAVIOR, this unit intially including Hansen. Sadly, Ingo Schwichtenberg took his own life on 8th March 1995.