Warlock

Warlock is a German heavy metal group from Düsseldorf that is active from 1982 to 1988. It is formed in late 1982 and develops its early following by playing clubs across Germany during 1983. After recording a demo and sending it to record labels, the band signs to the Belgian independent label Mausoleum.

Early line-up and first albums

The original line-up consists of Doro Pesch on vocals, Peter Szigeti and Rudi Graf on guitars, Frank Rittel on bass and Michael Eurich on drums. This line-up records Burning the Witches in 1984 and Hellbound in 1985, and supports both releases with European tours.

Label changes and commercial peak

In early 1985 the band signs to Phonogram. During the tour for Hellbound, Rudi Graf leaves and is replaced by Niko Arvanitis. True as Steel follows, and the single “Fight for Rock” brings the band radio play in North America. The song also leads to the group’s first MTV video. In August 1986 Warlock opens for the Monsters of Rock concert at the Maimarktgelände in Mannheim, where Scorpions headline and acts including Def Leppard, Ozzy, MSG and Bon Jovi also appear.

Final album and split

After the True as Steel tour, Frank Rittel leaves and Tommy Henriksen joins on bass. Peter Szigeti also departs and Tommy Bolan takes his place on guitar. The group releases Triumph and Agony in 1987, its fourth and final album. It then makes its only extensive United States tour, opening for Megadeth with Sanctuary and also playing dates with acts such as Fates Warning, Sword and Lillian Axe. The band splits in December 1987. By the end of 1988, Doro Pesch remains the only original member and the only German in the line-up, while legal disputes over the name follow.

Name, legacy and later reunions

Because of the naming dispute, Pesch continues her career as Doro, with the first edition of Force Majeure using a sticker identifying the material as Warlock. A later compilation, Rare Diamonds, also uses the name. Pesch regains the rights to the Warlock name in 2011. Doro remains active and performs Warlock songs live.

Pesch reunites with Szigeti, Arvanitis, Rittel and Eurich as Warlock for her 20th anniversary concert in Düsseldorf in 2003 and again at Wacken Open Air in 2004. Further appearances by the reunited line-up are billed as “Warlock 1986”. In 2008, Pure Steel Records releases Tribute to Steel, the first official tribute album to the band.

Members and related activity

Other members pursue work elsewhere after leaving the group. Rudi Graf joins Rage in 1986 and records Execution Guaranteed. Frank Rittel, Peter Szigeti and former Snakebite drummer Thomas Franke play on Udo Dirkschneider’s first solo album Animal House in 1987. Rittel and Szigeti later form the melodic metal bands Energy and Coracko in the 1990s, and Michael Eurich forms Casanova with singer Michael Voss. Rittel retires from the music business in 2004. Arvanitis and Szigeti also perform together at the “Rock Classic Allstars” show in Bochum in 2005.