Powerwolf

Powerwolf reached No. 1 on the German charts with 2013's Preachers of the Night, a key release in a career built around power metal, gothic-tinged arrangements, religious imagery and tales of werewolves and vampires. Founded in Saarbrücken in 2004 by members of Red Aim, the German band presents its members through stage identities and a recurring werewolf theme that led fans to call them “The Wolves.” Corpse paint, changing album-era costumes and dark religious subject matter have been central parts of its visual and lyrical approach.

The group released its debut, Return in Bloodred, in 2005, followed by Lupus Dei in 2007. Its third album, Bible of the Beast, arrived in 2009 and gave Powerwolf its first entry on the official German charts. Soon after that record's release, original drummer Stefan Gemballa, known as Stéfane Funèbre, left the band. Tom Diener took his place before Roel van Helden became drummer in 2011.

That year also brought the fourth album, Blood of the Saints. Powerwolf signed with Napalm Records in 2012, then issued Preachers of the Night the following year. The band's sixth album, Blessed & Possessed, was released in 2015 and later received gold certification in the Czech Republic. Later studio albums include 2018's The Sacrament of Sin, 2021's Call of the Wild, 2023's Interludium, and 2024's Wake Up the Wicked.

Powerwolf's lineup consists of vocalist Karsten Brill as Attila Dorn, lead guitarist Benjamin Buss as Matthew Greywolf, bassist and rhythm guitarist David Vogt as Charles Greywolf, keyboardist Christian Jost as Falk Maria Schlegel, and drummer Roel van Helden. The band has toured extensively, with most of its dates taking place in Europe.