Album review: POWERWOLF – Blessed & Possessed

Napalm Records [Release date 17.07.15]

Powerwolf are back with album number six and the second one I have heard by them having been mightily impressed by their last albums ‘Preachers Of The Night’. As their name suggests they play power metal and they certainly know how to pen a catchy tune.

Now power metal can get very samey after awhile and some bands really so wash over you, so luckily Powerwolf have two big pluses. One is the vocals of Atilla Dorn, he has an operatic delivery and although he sings fast, you can still easily make out the words.

Secondly, the church organ playing of Falk Maria Schlegel which adds greatly to the band’s love of the historic and religious lyric. A good example of this is ‘Christ & Combat’ based on the Crusades and the fade out of Iron Maiden approved bass playing and choral backing rounds off a strong song.

The title track and ‘Higher Than Heaven’ are insanely catchy songs, with instant sing-a-long choruses and all that is good in power metal. Singing partly in Latin on ‘Sanctus Dominus’ again adds to the overall effect and enjoyment of the song, again listen out for the ever present church organ nicely backing the song’s main riff and guitar solos.

Powerwolf know their audience and are very good at what they do. Be nice to have a really overblown ballad, ‘Let There Be Night’ comes close but I was imaging choirs, orchestra, kitchen sink etc.

Power metal fans who have yet to try the band should have a listen to this, great fun and one of the best power metal bands currently out there. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

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