Powerwolf

Powerwolf is a German power metal band from Saarbrücken, active since 2003. The group forms around vocalist Karsten Brill, who performs as Attila Dorn, lead guitarist Benjamin Buss as Matthew Greywolf, bassist and rhythm guitarist David Vogt as Charles Greywolf, keyboardist Christian Jost as Falk Maria Schlegel, and drummer Roel van Helden. Earlier members include Stefan Gemballa, who performs as Stéfane Funèbre, and drummers Tom Diener and Roel van Helden, who replaces Diener in 2011. The verified member list also includes Stéfane Funèbre, Tom Diener and Matthew Greywolf.

Style and imagery

The band uses themes and imagery drawn from the Roman Catholic church, werewolves and vampires. These ideas appear in its costumes and in the use of corpse paint. Powerwolf describes its concerts as a “heavy metal mass”, and its stage show includes audience participation and pyrotechnics. Attila Dorn often speaks directly to the crowd and leads sing-alongs or shouted responses before songs begin. The stage setup is designed by Matthew Greywolf.

Releases and chart success

Powerwolf releases its debut album, Return in Bloodred, in 2005, followed by Lupus Dei in 2007. Its third album, Bible of the Beast, brings the band into the official German charts for the first time in 2009. Blood of the Saints follows in 2011. The band signs with Napalm Records in 2012 and releases Preachers of the Night in 2013, which debuts at number one in Germany. Later albums include Blessed & Possessed in 2015, which is certified gold in the Czech Republic, The Sacrament of Sin, and Call of the Wild.