Powerwolf Article

02.08.2013 Powerwolf

Wacken Open Air XXIV

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Sigma AF 70-200mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

Back again at the Black Stage a quite high number of people were waiting there already agog for Powerwolf. The power metal band from the Saarland has turned their carreer in a fulminant one. 2004 founded in 2005 they released their first album "Return In Bloodred" which just as the following ones was not making a great stir. A first decent result was reached by the 2011 released longplayer "Blood Of The Saints" but the current album "Preachers Of The Night" is outclassing everything released before. Praised by the critics it was directly going to number one of the German album charts. This may also be the reason for the huge interest of the Wacken audience.
After the guys entered the stage to the sounds of "Lupus Daemonis" in front of the stage everyone was erupting with joy. The guys around singer Attila Dorn were firing one earworm after the other which was eager and thankfully taken by the crowd. That was nothing superior what the martial looking men were presenting but extremely catchy and in combination with the clerical breathed on show really quite impressive. Attila knows to convice with a great voice and tried to take the audience with him via sing along games (as if the simple lyrics were not already sufficient). Keyboarder Falk Maria Schlegel was storming across the stage in each brake of playing his instrument no matter how short it was to encourage the crowd to even harder go along with them (although that was quite hard as it were already 36°C in the shadows). The same with the brothers Charles and Matthew Greywolf when they did not have to pluck the strings. All the time the crowd was singing along and clapping until the hands were hurting.
You can think of the Saarland guys whatever you want. Their overall concept of sacral horror stories was proving to be successfull. You may not reproach them with their lyrics and music not being outstanding but instead very catchy. (If you remove the terrific live shows you could reduce Rammstein to the same level. And at them everything is increadibly great and is cheered.). I was completely entertained by hymns like "We Drink Your Blood" or "Raise Your Fist, Evangelist" and think that that is it, what it is all about when talking about a live show. I am curious if they will continue their cometlike advancement.

Setlist:

  • Lupus Daemonis (Intro)
  • Sanctified With Dynamite
  • We Drink Your Blood
  • Amen & Attack
  • Werewolves Of Armenia
  • In The Name Of God
  • Resurrection By Erection
  • Coleus Sanctus
  • All We Need Is Blood
  • Kreuzfeuer
  • Raise Your Fist, Evangelist
  • Lupus Dei
  • Wolves Against The World

 

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