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Have been following this band since 2006, when I first saw them, the initial band onstage, Day 2 at the Bang Your Head festival, in their native Germany. To paraphrase an old commercial, "You've come a long way, baby!" That predates the pyro and grandiose stage show, but the fire and drive were always there, even when no one believed. Fast forward almost two decades and Powerwolf is an international phenomenon (even if they're just getting started, over here). The hard days and groundwork have already been laid and North American audiences can ride the gravy train, witnessing a spectacular display, from a well-oiled outfit. This is just the beginning, folks! 

After avoiding the States for so long, the Wolves are now committed to playing here, more frequently (currently following up a handful of exclusive dates, that began with the initial foray, in NYC, back in February 2023). The current trek is the first for the recently issued Wake Up The Wicked, meaning domestic crowds heard the new tracks, live, before anyone else! What we got was five cuts off the new album (It WAS the debut airing for ANY of that material, so perhaps they'll re-evaluate the concentration, in lieu of a couple of missing "classics," at a later date) and only a half dozen selections (out of the 19 performed) predate the last three album (before 2018). Know these corporate venues take a big cut of the band's merch sales, but $40 for a baseball cap or toque? Wow! For a few bucks more, can get a tour shirt.

A trio of arched, stained glass windows behind the band serve as video screens, depicting flames and omnipresent lupine mascot throughout the course of the night. A trio of risers are placed across the lip of the stage, one for each of the guitarists and a centrally located one, behind Dorn's crucifix/sword hilt mic stand. Frenetic, the guitar toting brothers Greywolf, up and down on stage front riser, exchanging sides of the stage, even running back to the drum/keyboard area, interacting with Falk Maria Schlegel, the silent foil to frontman Attila Dorn (sort of like Harpo, to Groucho Marx).

Not many bands can open with a brand new song, but "Bless "Em With The Blade" is up first, a rousing table setter for what's to follow. Holy metal mass, as Dorn describes their shows, so out came the thurible (swinging incense burner) for "Incense & Iron", the first of many crowd sing-alongs. Lots of smoke as the Greywolfs venture from one riser, to the other, passing each other as they go. The crowd sings "Hallelujah" during "Army Of The Night", Falk's keys sounding like a liturgical pipe organ. 

Even greater audience participation is required for "Sinners Of The Seven Seas": jump/pogo in place, like a metallic aerobics studio. Any time there was even a slightly exaggerated pause, the fans chant the band's name. Dorn has a wicked sense of humor, coyly asking the fans, "You think you already know our lyrics? Are you sure?" He gives a quick tutorial on the chorus shout, prior to a red lit "Amen & Attack". Falk comes down from his perch and proudly unfurls a massive PW emblazoned flag.  

Is it just me, or has the band, of late, adopted a "cleaner," dare I say "less corpse-painted" image (thinner layers, easier to see real faces), on video and elsewhere? Purple hued "Dancing With The Dead" (the shtick with Attila & Falk waltzing around, ballroom style, is corny) also features white spotlights sweeping the stage. The constantly changing windows behind the band, now depicts a wolf embracing a skeletal dance partner. More lessons, from vocal coach Dorn, lead into the four part sing-along, "Armata Strigoi". The singer runs through each section, adding, "The third part is the hardest, but not in Philadelphia." I rank the male-only/female-only renditions up there with other classic audience moments, like an a-cappella, crowd sung "The Bard Song (In The Forest)" by Blind Guardian. Special. Subtle, as photographic flames & embers drift skyward onscreen, for "1589", a tale of an accused werewolf being burned on a pyre.

More crowd vocals (at Dorn's behest) for "Demons Are A Girl's Best Friend". As white lights pinwheel straight into the face of the audience, the Greywolf's genuflect. Dorn ascends the staircase, to the second level  that houses both keys and drum kit. However, "Stossgebet", a mid-tempo march, is one I wouldn't mind trading for the absent "Resurrection By Erection", but fierce "Fire And Forgive" rights the ship. Red lights and a snarling wolf headshot look over the proceedings. Not quite the same as the video, but there's a sexy, semi-naked lady on the backdrop for "We Don’t Wanna Be No Saints". After all his hard work, Attila takes a seat on the staircase during slower, emotive "Alive Or Undead", as audience cell phones illuminate a darkened venue. Finishing out the proper set are "Heretic Hunters", green hued "Sainted By The Storm" and bagpipe inspired "Blood for Blood (Faoladh)", none of which would make a list of top Powerwolf songs.

That all changes, come the encore, beginning with a step back in time, to the classic "Sanctified With Dynamite". The stage a red and yellow haze (with white blinking strobes), as the Wolves return, drop to their knees, in respect, and then lay into fast riffing, as the crowd claps/sings along. More old school stuff, with "We Drink Your Blood", fists thrust and voices yell "Hey!", as a salivating beast, with a chalice, leers from the backdrop. Dorn gets to show his Latin operatics, to start "Werewolves Of Armenia" ("Who? Ha!") which ends the night. 

Not sure how much longer you'll be able to catch Powerwolf in this type of setting (already impossible overseas). Onwards & upwards!