Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Unless the band are either extremely brilliant at what they do such as Megadeth or Black Sabbath, they have an incredible loyal fan base that will buy everything from the merchandise site which will keep the interest at peak levels such as Iron Maiden or are just plain quirky enough to keep the fascination going from album to album such as…well only Helloween and Rammstein really springs to mind, then a Metal album can soon lose it shimmering beauty. It needs to be constantly updated, taken to different areas, Prog, Doom, Speed and so on to keep it fresh and attention-grabbing.

For Powerwolf, the German-Romanian-Dutch hybrid, they surely fall into the third category but that is their saving grace. For no matter how many times you hear their latest album Preachers of the Night, the music that explodes from the speakers in a series of powerful grenades blasts or the thought of random medieval skirmishes in where metal sword clashes with protective armour and blood spills unhindered upon the battle arena, is exciting enough to keep the album in the record collection. It is to be played at regular intervals and unless you have a noise abatement order against you, as loud as possible to do the work justice.

In the amalgam of different countries represented within the band, the texture and fusion of sounds that come from the five musicians is akin to being invited to dine and feast at the table and enjoy a sumptuous banquet with foods from every region possible. You don’t know where to start first, you’re unsure how it will finish but you just know that heady mix of crashing guitar, fable like vocals and narrative story telling will get to you.

Tracks such as the booming Amen and Attack, Secrets of the Sacristy, Kreuzfeuer, Nochinoi Dozer and Extatum Et Oratum all defy any impending doom that may have been lingering and showcase what can be done with Metal when done right, something that European bands have been doing time and time again all year.

Hear it, believe it, purchase it! You will never look back.

Ian D. Hall