POWERWOLF

Currently promoting their latest album, “Wake Up the Wicked” (2024), the successor to “Interludium” (2023), Powerwolf was founded in 2003 by brothers Matthew Greywolf (guitar) and Charles Greywolf (guitar and bass) in Saarbrücken, Germany, near the French border. The lineup, completed by Attila Dorn (vocals), Falk Maria Schlegel (keyboards), and Roel van Helden (drums), made a significant impact with their debut album, “Return in Bloodred” (2005). However, it was “Preachers of the Night” (2013), following albums like “Lupus Dei” (2007), “Bible of the Beast” (2009), “Blood of the Saints” (2011), and “Alive in the Night” (2012), that proved to be a game-changer.

“When you listen to ‘Return in Bloodred,’ it’s quite obvious that our influences originally came from ’70s Black Sabbath and Mercyful Fate, maybe with a bit of Candlemass and Metallica. But over the years, those influences became less important as we developed our own way of writing music and crafting our sound,” Matthew Greywolf once told Roadie Crew magazine.

“Blessed & Possessed” (2015) retained some of the band’s signature elements, such as operatic touches and the combination of church organs with heavy metal guitars. “It’s not easy for a metal band to get permission to record on a church organ. We were lucky to have a great instrument in a church near where we live. They had an open mind and allowed us to record there. Basically, we do it because it sounds alive and much more real than any sampler. Plus, it’s always a special moment to see Falk playing metal on a church organ!”

Stage presence is a crucial part of Powerwolf’s identity. The band incorporates religious themes, corpse paint, gothic compositions, and lyrics about werewolf and vampire legends. “We realized that the wolf shares many traits with metal. It’s often described as a mystical and dangerous creature, yet proud and independent—just like metal. That’s why we chose the wolf as a perfect symbol for heavy metal,” Matthew Greywolf explained. “When we decided to use costumes and makeup on stage, the idea was to create a true act. Over time, it evolved, and we developed this concept of metal as a religion. The visual aspect is the heart of our show!” added keyboardist Christian “Falk Maria Schlegel” Jost.

Following their powerful and melodic power metal style, always maintaining strength and energy while avoiding excessive cheerfulness, came “The Sacrament of Sin” (2018), “Call of the Wild” (2021), and “Interludium” (2023). Their latest album, “Wake Up the Wicked,” was released on July 26, 2024, via Napalm Records, ahead of their first full North American tour, which kicks off in August and will be followed by their biggest European headlining tour to date. Indeed, Powerwolf shows no signs of slowing down and will unleash their power at Bangers Open Air 2025.