Powerwolf

I've been meaning to get into Powerwolf. One of the few newer European power metal bands I think I'd enjoy. At least judging by the sample videos I've seen.

How would all of you rank their albums and is there an essential one to start with?

a friend of mine speaks of preachers of the night, saying it is their best.

but I cannot confirm.

I've given these guys a listen to and have liked what I heard. I don't own anything by them though....yet.

Lari wrote:

I've been meaning to get into Powerwolf. One of the few newer European power metal bands I think I'd enjoy. At least judging by the sample videos I've seen.

How would all of you rank their albums and is there an essential one to start with?

Oh man, it's been a while but I'll try my best.
Bible of The Beast and Blood of The Saints are both tied for really good consistency throughout them.
I recall bible of the beast being a little less memorable than the other two.
I remember NOTHING about Return in Bloodred so maybe I should go back and listen to that.
Aaaaaand I haven't picked up Preachers of The Night, so I know nothing about it.

I haven't heard their entire discog. My introduction was the new "History of Heresy" set, which was their first two (both good - Return in Bloodred sounds like what I expected Ghost to sound like based on the image) along with a DVD incorporating what I think is a German festival performance.

That History of Heresy set sounds interesting. German Amazon is selling it for €16. What I like about it as an introduction to the band is that it has full albums, it's not a compilation. Compilations lose their worth to me the moment I end up buying the albums anyway.

And the albums that are here are their first two, so if I get into them more, I can actually catch up in chronological order!

I always thought that if there's a band I know I will like, I should try to get the albums in order of release to get the "full experience". It's as if I was there back when they first started.

Lari wrote:

I always thought that if there's a band I know I will like, I should try to get the albums in order of release to get the "full experience". It's as if I was there back when they first started.

I thought I was the only person anal enough to take that approach with a band.

Granted, it's served me poorly a few times where a band put out one or two absolute turds before hitting their stride...

That's why you have to be positive you will like the band enough.

I just placed an order for the History of Heresy set. This will be my introduction to the band.

Awesome! I don't think you'll be disappointed.

It arrived, and it's glorious! The box is super-cool and I already played Return in Bloodred once, and the first three tracks are really catchy. Aided by the fact that there are live versions included at the end of the disc. Granted, this does seem like an album that I probably won't be dying to hear again and again. More like an instant pleaser.

I also read a few pages of the book, and it seems like a nice addition.

It was a really deluxe setup given the price.

They seemed to hit their stride with the second album, Lupus Dei.

I haven't checked out the DVD in the box, but it's the show from which the live tracks on both CDs were taken. It was actually a really cool move to give us digital versions of the live tracks as bonuses on the albums the songs were taken from. I wish more bands would do that with their "bonus DVD" material.

The vocalist sounds a bit like Peavy Wagner or Hansi from Blind Guardian.

Big fan here! These guys surprised me when I found them a few years ago and have been hooked since. This singer is awesome!!! Well the whole band is really. The keyboards grate on me at times though so I really have to be in the power metal mood to hear it. One of the better bands in that sub-sub-genre to me!

They keyboards really make a lot of their songs as far as I'm concerned, but I'm also a big Rammstein fan and that band wouldn't be half as interesting to listen to without Flake doing what Flake does...

Runicen wrote:

It was a really deluxe setup given the price.  

They seemed to hit their stride with the second album, Lupus Dei.  

I haven't checked out the DVD in the box, but it's the show from which the live tracks on both CDs were taken.  It was actually a really cool move to give us digital versions of the live tracks as bonuses on the albums the songs were taken from.  I wish more bands would do that with their "bonus DVD" material.

There's a History of Heresy Pt II now. I just ordered it from Amazon. I'm not even sure it's out yet, but it did say they have 10 in stock... so I guess it is?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HEADS UP!

I'd been trying to find a copy of Blood of the Saints with the Sacrilege Symphony included and had no luck, so this is HUGE for me.

I got my copy today. I didn't listen to the CDs yet, but I skimmed the book while at work and I'm pretty excited!

Here's a pic I took of both box sets together:

Spoiler:

I also went to their website and ordered the Wolfsnacht EP. Because dammit, that song isn't on any other release, and more importantly, IT HAS THAT ELUSIVE MYSTIC PROPHECY JAPANESE BONUS TRACK. And I love Mystic Prophecy, more than any other band (that wasn't around in the 80's).

That's a fetching collection, Lari. I pre-ordered it via importCDs, who are running a 10% off sale as well. What's the point of being collector swine if you're not going to pinch pennies while you're at it?

July 17th they are releasing their new album "Blessed and Possessed". So far what I have heard is KILLER!

Totally going to buy this!

The track listing of the limited edition's bonus CD looks interesting.

01. Touch Of Evil [Judas Priest cover]
02. Conquistadores [Running Wild cover]
03. Edge Of Thorns [Savatage cover]
04. Power And Glory [Chroming Rose cover]
05. Out In The Fields [Gary Moore cover]
06. Shot In The Dark [Ozzy Osbourne cover]
07. Gods Of War Arise [Amon Amarth cover]
08. The Evil That Men Do [Iron Maiden cover]
09. Headless Cross [Black Sabbath cover]
10. Night Crawler [Judas Priest cover]

Well here is The Headless Cross cover

I dont care that I've basically already heard everything this record may offer I'll enjoy it anyway. I'm buying.

That limited edition is damn expensive

US Amazon has it for $22. UK Amazon $34. That's lame. Should I just order overseas? It's a European band, doesn't make sense.