That POWERWOLF is one of Germany’s biggest and most successful power metal bands should be a well-established fact for any respectable metalhead. They have systematically built their image and thematic universe over the course of nine studio albums (including last year’s “Interludium”) and countless heavy metal masses which, in turn, converted many people around the globe to their brand of lycanthropy-based power metal. With their tenth offering, “Wake up the Wicked,” which came out on July 26th, 2024, via Napalm Records, the Germans continue to prove why their highly regarded status on the metal scene is so well deserved.
For better or worse, depending on your opinion of formula-based songs, this album offers exactly what one would expect from POWERWOLF – soaring melodies, big choruses, some cheeky lyrics that complement some more serious topics, and epic orchestral arrangements, all wrapped up in Gothic power metal extravaganza – without much deviation from what we have heard so far from the band. This consistency is one of the album’s strengths and what makes it so entertaining, while also serving as a reminder that sticking to what works and meeting people’s expectations is a winning formula in itself. On the downside, if you know pretty much exactly what you are getting out of an album, does that dampen the excitement for new music in any way, and what is there left to explore?
To answer my own questions, as long as the song itself is good and has a compelling narrative to back it up, the rest shouldn’t really be a problem. There are plenty of other bands out there that write songs following a given template and enjoy high levels of popularity and success because of the stories they tell (just think of the likes of SABATON). This is where POWERWOLF struck gold with their musical vision, neatly balancing between the eccentricity of the genre and intriguing tales of werewolves, vampires, and demons, casually throwing in some biblical reference and profane innuendos in the mix. That being said, this album is heavier and more diverse than their previous outings, including a sea shanty worthy of VISIONS OF ATLANTIS in “Sinners of The Seven Seas,” a historical account of a suspected werewolf in album highlight “1589,” and an ode to Joan of Arc in the eponymous track, while such cuts like the thunderous and speedy opener “Bless ‘em with the Sword” or the heavy-hitting Gothic anthem “Viva Vulgata” highlight their penchant for theatricality and drama.
Elsewhere on the album, the cheeky AOR-laden “Kyrie Klitorem” feels like the spiritual successor to “Resurrection by Erection” complete with a great melody and a massive chorus, while the folky, upbeat number “Heretic Hunters” and bombastic “Thunderpriest” are POWERWOLF-by-the-numbers –type of tracks that don’t really disappoint as the catchy hooks do their magic by getting listeners to sing along in unison with vocalist Attila Dorn. It is, however, the title track that steals the show with its earworm chorus, bouncy groove, and sparkling keys that soften a bit the guitars and drum’s incessant attack, with everything being capped off by a great solo. The high-octane tale of Joan of Arc could easily find its place in SABATON’s discography without anyone questioning its belonging there, as it has the same energy and arena-size chorus as any track penned by the aforementioned Swedish band, which, in turn, makes “Joan of Arc” another standout number on this album.
I can’t imagine a better title for a POWERWOLF song than “We Don’t Wanna Be No Saints,” which, despite the double negative in the wording, fits extremely well with the band’s approach to their live appearances and their musical credo, while properly developing the idea at the core of RAMMSTEIN’s “Engel” (“God knows I don’t want to be an angel” would be the English translation of it). The song itself features a children’s choir, melodies aplenty, and yet another big chorus that will have crowds chanting it at the top of their lungs, while the driving instrumental propels it forward. The Celtic-infused “Vargamor” feels a bit more stripped down compared to what came before yet very well grounded in their sonic universe with a vocal performance that draws you in and a serene ambiance that winds down the album nicely.
To reiterate an earlier idea, just because you know what to expect from a band and/or an album, doesn’t make that experience any less exciting or fun, and POWERWOLF know how to keep it interesting and offer the listeners a varied listening experience with “Wake up the Wicked” by expanding on their thematic universe and relying on strong and memorable melodies to carry the album’s momentum. This idea works wonderfully as there’s a lot of fun to be had for the 37 minutes of the record’s runtime, as the vocal deliveries invite you to sing along to the melodies while the instrumentals invite you to either practice your air guitar (or air drums) movements or to headbang to the rhythms, all boosted by Joost van den Broek’s sleek production. No matter how you slice it, there’s a good time ahead once the play button is pressed, so forget about your worries for a while and party with Germany’s most charismatic wolfpack!
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
01. Bless ’em With the Blade
02. Sinners of The Seven Seas
03. Kyrie Klitorem
04. Heretic Hunters
05. 1589
06. Viva Vulgata
07. Wake Up the Wicked
08. Joan of Arc
09. Thunderpriest
10. We Don’t Wanna Be No Saints
11. Vargamor
Lineup
Attila Dorn – Vocals
Charles Greywolf – Bass, Guitars
Matthew Greywolf – Guitars
Falk Maria Schlegel – Keyboards
Roel van Helden – Drums
Label
Napalm Records
