Photos by: Brittany Barkasi
Powerwolf’s first full invasion of North American soil in early 2023 was an event more successful than the band ever imagined. Selling out shows left and right, we at Dead Rhetoric in fact covered that debut US show in New York City – an event that’s still burned into the collective memory of every attendee. To say that there was extreme pent up demand on this side of the globe is both an enormous understatement and completely unsurprising. When their second run was announced for the early Fall of 2024 – this time with significantly more dates and new locations – the excitement was again palatable.
Being Florida natives, it was both cool and disappointing to see when the date for St. Petersburg was clashing with the ProgPower USA festival’s last day. However, conveniently the band scheduled an Atlanta date for the day after said festival concluded. Smart planning, to which they worked with ProgPower as to not clash dates in the same city. Again, very wise, as we figured that this show would be filled with festival goers. Without saying, the Atlanta date was among the first to sell out.
Arriving tired from four days of ProgPower bliss, we gathered what was left of our energy reserves and made our way to The Masquerade to take in this gathering of werewolves, beasts, and Nandor the Relentless (his doppelganger was first in the long line for entry). Metal is religion, after all.
Unleash the Archers
This way for photos of the Canadian troupe of Archers
Labelmates Unleash the Archers were chosen to open this venture, in support of their latest effort Phantoma. That album has brought on a fair share of criticism, and the band’s reaction was disheartening for many. Musically, it didn’t hit the same highs as Abyss to these ears, though with plenty of bright moments abound, there’s plenty to enjoy as well. Nevertheless, the band typically put on a hell of a live show, so we entered with high expectations. We were certainly not left disappointed.
Kicking off proceedings with “Abyss” invoked a frenzy within an already simmering crowd, putting forth a technical and powerful start that was undeniably infectious and pulsating. Lead vocalist Brittney Slayes screams and soars with the best of them, and her prowess was definitely in top form here. A fine start, indeed.
Following up were selections from the new album, starting with “Ghosts in the Mist.” A heavier and more mid-paced entry, the band showcased inklings of their aggressive side, mixed with glittering keyboard sections and chugging rhythms. Upping the tempo again was “Green & Glass” – a more typical example of current Unleash the Archers’ catchy and to the point style of power metal (with a few snarls added for extra spice). “Gods in Decay” completed a trio of selections from Phantoma, itself an in-your-face composition that kept the crowd engaged.
The band accomplished keeping their setlist varied with cuts from earlier works such as the earworm “Tonight we Ride” from 2015’s Time Stands Still being a set highlight. Slayes’ impressive vocal range was on full display, with the rest of the band tearing away with cutting riffage and delectable hooks. The onlookers returned that energy in kind, singing, chanting, and clapping along to what was a high point of the band’s performance.
Next were two tracks from Apex – “The Matriarch” and “Awakening” – the former being a mid-tempo lesson of big moments and the latter embracing their melodic side via catchy choruses and a drumming masterclass by the grace of Scott Buchanan. Guitarists Grant Truesdell and Andrew Saunders shredded away with purpose and technical precision, all while clearly enjoying their time on stage.
A cover of Stan Rogers’ “Northwest Passage” signed off Unleash the Archers’ performance with a huge sing-a-long, leaving the crowd more than fulfilled with many smiling faces. Playing a solid mix of old and new, they gave both old and new fans a glance at their musical journey thus far. There’s no denying that Unleash the Archers have that “it” factor in the live arena. Their passion and enthusiasm are obvious, and their distinctive brand of heavy power metal is a definitive crowd pleaser.
Powerwolf
Full photographic evidence of Germanic werewolves this way…
Powerwolf‘s ascension has been quite the sight to behold. Their highly unique style of robust power metal ferocity, themed towards Catholic werewolves, historical events, urban legends, and all other kinds of related madness is one-of-a-kind. It’s hard to believe they’ve been at it for two decades now, having long conquered Europe via headlining massive festivals and drawing increasingly larger and enthusiastic crowds. The memory of going to Wacken in 2010 and 2011 still burns vividly – their merch was everywhere. Chatter amongst many centered around how great this sensation is. That was the point where it was blatantly obvious that they really had something different that appealed to many. Finally seeing them in 2013 at Metaldays was the final selling point. Having seen them a few times since, if at all feasible, missing a Powerwolf show simply isn’t an option. Now in Atlanta, hordes of hungry followers were about to enjoy the sort of experience that I did all those years ago.
Setting the stage were gigantic set pieces resembling a church’s stained glass windows, multiple levels, etc. – an elaborate setup, to be sure. Somewhat similar to their first run of shows in 2023, but a little more impressive in stature. The only thing they didn’t have was vocalist Attila Dorn’s flamethrower. No matter; the band entered the stage to raucous fanfare from a sold out crowd whose moment had finally come.
Opening with “Bless ‘Em with the Blade” from their latest Wake Up the Wicked was a solid choice, and the crowd reacted in turn. Attila’s captivation of the audience never ceases to impress, gripping the crowd with his powerful baritone and infectious stage presence. A true larger than life figure who boasts a vocal quality that isn’t easily comparable to anyone in metal. There’s a distinct lack of baritones in power metal; a genre that sorely could use more of the differentiation, of which Powerwolf is all too happy to accommodate. Unsurprisingly, he had the crowd eating bloody communion wafers out of his hands on command, again proving his placement as one of the standout frontmen in heavy music.
Moving back to 2018’s The Sacrament of Sin with “Incense & Iron” kept the momentum surging, as keyboardist Falk Maria Schlegel effortlessly pushed the crowd to keep their energy strong. Falk is a vital piece of Powerwolf’s sound and presentation – his keyboard pieces are always memorable and poignant, while often the maestro conductor who brings an electricity to their shows that’s ever consistent and at the forefront of everything the band does. Keeping the variety from their large discography coming was “Army of the Night” from one of the group’s most heralded records in Blessed & Possessed. As a personal favorite Powerwolf track, this particularly got the old head nodding vigorously. Same goes for the wonderfully blasphemous classic “Amen & Attack,” which resulted in seemingly all the souls present shouting every lyric, much to the band’s delight. Skin destroyer Roel van Helden shined especially here, pounding away at his kit with a rabid intensity to provide the rhythmic pulse of these hungry wolves.
Speaking of feelings of pure unadulterated joy, this happens to be the prevailing emotion that one feels from Powerwolf in a live setting. Attila’s warm smile almost never leaves his face, along with the entirety of the band putting out the highest levels of gratification throughout their set. “Dancing with the Dead” fittingly featured Attila and Falk ballroom dancing to rapturous approval, resulting in a memorable moment (as well as being a scorcher of a track). These dudes are a blast, plain and simple.
Crowd participation happens to be a hallmark of any Powerwolf show, and specific songs exist that are most suited to this purpose. “Armata Strigoi” is one such entry, and on this night, the setup of the crowd sing-a-long didn’t quite go as planned. Attila got a huge case of the giggles while interacting with the crowd, getting so severe that he begged Falk for a rescue. It’s one of those special moments that again bring that feeling of joy to the forefront that Powerwolf encapsulates so well. Attila did indeed (eventually) regain his composure, and said track and crowd participation bits blended together harmonically, much to the delight and relief of Mr. Dorn. Similar moments, sans giggles, occurred during the massively catchy “Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend” as well, though there was no proposal like at Silver Spring, MD. How do you top that, right?
Additional cuts from Sacrament of Sin followed in the pounding “Stossgebet” and the grandiose “Fire & Forgive.” A few more tracks from their latest were also sprinkled throughout the set – “1589,” “We Don’t Wanna Be No Saints” and “Heretic Hunters” specifically – melding seamlessly into the band’s 19 song setlist, showcasing the strength and consistency of Powerwolf’s continued output. Guitarists Matthew and Charles Greywolf have a large part in said cohesion, pumping out memorable riffs and hooks that stick both on album and in the flesh. They bring the figurative – and sonically, quite literal – bite to Powerwolf’s sound profile, and both had their fangs out in Atlanta.
The “closing” number was the spirited “Sainted by the Storm,” itself being a can’t miss live staple. I say closing facetiously, of course, as an obligatory encore loomed after a short exit from the stage. For the grande finale, Powerwolf pulled out crowd pleasers “Sanctified with Dynamite” and “We Drink Your Blood” – both displaying the group’s sharpness even after a long and bountiful appearance. Delving into the deepest point in their discography for this concert was the real closer “Werewolves of Armenia” from 2009’s Bible of the Beast. Without doubt a worthy culmination, as the collective gathering sang together for one more time on this night.
Conclusion
What else is there to say at this juncture? This scribe can wax poetic about Powerwolf’s potent live attack seemingly without end, but alas, let us wrap proceedings up succinctly. There simply is no comparable musical endeavor thematically, sonically, or in live presentation. At this point in their career, one knows exactly what they’re getting with Powerwolf – over the top, immensely fun and cutting power metal that delivers time and time again. They’ve got their approach honed and zeroed in, and there’s no sign of slowing down.
If there’s any criticism that can be offered, it would be the lack of the classic and ultimate delectable slice of desecration known as “Resurrection by Erection.” To be fair, the band has so many favorites that it’s inevitable for something beloved to not make the final cut. However, it’s also yours truly’s favorite Powerwolf track, but those are the breaks. Perhaps next time!
Unleash the Archers also proved to be a worthy companion for this run, putting on a well-executed set that the crowd was clearly into from beginning to end. A solid showing from a talented bunch to be certain.
We fully expect Powerwolf to visit North America more on the regular, with these two visits proving to be wildly successful treks. When that time comes, we’ll meet again in this space – same wolf time, same wolf channel. Or something like that. Now excuse me, there’s a “Beast of Gévaudan” on the loose. Maybe a “Midnight Messiah” will come to the rescue. Ok, we’ll stop. For now.