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Album number 12 from chart-topping German folk-metallers Feuerschwanz, and not only does ‘Knightclub’ see the band continue in the rich vein of form that began with ‘Das elfte Gebot’ back in 2020, but it also sees them break tradition by going with their first-ever new studio album to feature an English title as well as a combination of songs performed in both German and English.
2024’s stopgap album ‘Warriors’ saw Feuerschwanz record 2 brand-new songs in English, as well as 10 hits rearranged in English, and the experiment worked well, giving the band the impetus to go one step further and create ‘Knightclub’. It also helps that the band are making inroads into non-German speaking territories like Spain and the UK (finally) with their dynamite live performances.
Feuerschwanz 2025 are an altogether different proposition from the comedic band that launched in 2005, and since signing with Napalm Records for ‘Das elfte Gebot’, the 8-piece have changed tack and gone with a more serious approach. Although it has to be said that Feuerschwanz still know how to have fun, and understand that Metal often takes itself too seriously and can parody itself without knowing it. This is the band, after all, that not only covered the Euro-pop cheesefest by O-Zone ‘Dragostea Din Tei’, but turned it into a full-on Metal-rager capable of getting the biggest cynics around bouncing up and down in a field, with huge smiles on their faces. Likewise, how often do you see gnarly security staff in the pit bouncing up and down to a song?
Led by vocalist/instrumentalist and founding member Hauptmann Feuerschwanz, the band doesn’t waste any time in setting the scene and opens the album with the bouncing, fist-pumping title track.
Any casual listener not fully sure what to expect from a Feuerschwanz studio album will soon find out once they press play and the song explodes to life with the immediate chorus. No time-wasting, it takes the adage of “Don’t bore us, get to the chorus” and runs with it. Rarely, a track will start immediately with the chorus, but here it works well in setting the scene. And with wry, witty lyrics (in both German and English) that namecheck Jon Snow alongside Ivanhoe, it is great fun. An entrant in the Eurovision Song Contest preliminary round, it certainly helps if the listener has had a few steins, but booze is not mandatory, although a sense of humour is.
The same could be said for the boot-stomping medieval version of ‘Gangnam Style’ that appears a few minutes later. Metal credentials on both are courtesy of some meaty riffage from guitarist Hans Platz, full-on heavy hits from drummer Rollo H. Schönhaar (his kick-drum work on the heavy-as-nails ‘Testament’ is stunning), and screams from co-vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Ben Metzner, whose full range of vocals runs the entire gamut of the metal genre.
It could be pure coincidence, or indeed, intentional, that both of the fun songs that come with a wink of the eye are featured so early in the track listing. The remaining songs showcase the other side of Feuerschwanz: traditional European metal mixed with traditional folk instruments.
With this being a Feuerschwanz album, guests are expected, and it’s great to hear the unmistakable tones of the Metal Queen herself, Doro, alongside the co-vocals of Hauptmann and Metzner on the old-school Metal vibes of ‘Valhalla’. Old-school Metal vibes mixed with violin, and bagpipes (courtesy of Metzner) that should read. The crushing, slow, thudding tempo works well in giving the neck muscles a good workout.
Sung entirely in German, and with a gorgeous turn of pace mid-song that brings a Thin Lizzy (‘Emerald’, in particular) Celtic gritty touch to proceedings, ‘Name der Rose’ is stunning. The violin work from Johanna helps to create an epic, cinematic atmosphere. Any song about Samwise Gamgee from Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ will come packed with folk-feels. Yes, the folkie parts are there on ‘Sam The Brave’, but this is Feuerschwanz after all, and the Metal is ramped up to the max on a soaring, uplifting gem that features German throughout the verses and English on the chorus.
‘Drunken Dragon’ is insanely good. Full of Feuerschwanz trademarks in a musical sense, more Celtic touches simmering in the background, but full-on, fist-pumping Metal elsewhere. If one were to hazard a guess at the next single to be lifted from the album, then it would be ‘Drunken Dragon’. ‘Avalon’ gets better with each listen. Loads going on: fizzing riffs, huge soaring hooky melodies, great work from the engine room team of Rollo on drums, and Jarne on bass, gorgeous violin tones, and a peach of a guitar solo from Hans Platz that lands around the 2-minute mark.
Ending on ‘Lords of Fyre’, a stunning collaboration with soon-to-be-touring-partners Lord Of The Lost, Feuerschwanz have given themselves a setlist headache with this album. At least 6 or 7 of these songs deserve to make the live show. With each new album, Feuerschwanz shows growth from the previous one. The quality of the songcraft is increasing for the global market, as are the production values. The live performances, and show, are already there (genuinely, one of the best live acts that you could catch), and there ain’t no party like a Feuerschwanz party. The gradual increase in English lyrics was a risky move as it could have messed with part of Feuerschwanz’s charm. On the strength of ‘Knightclub’, it was a risk that has certainly paid off, and how.
‘Knightclub’ is available August 22nd via Napalm Records. More information on bundles, HERE.
Review – Dave
Band image – credit Stefan Heilemann
FEUERSCHWANZ live 2025:
LORDS OF FYRE Tour 2025
FEUERSCHWANZ & LORD OF THE LOST
w/ The Dark Side Of The Moon
02.10.25 DE – Berlin / Columbiahalle
03.10.25 DE – Leipzig / Haus Auensee
04.10.25 DE – Offenbach / Stadthalle
10.10.25 DE – Hanover / Swiss Life Hall
11.10.25 DE – Fürth / Stadthalle
17.10.25 DE – Munich / Zenith
18.10.25 DE – Düsseldorf / Mitsubishi Halle
Festivals 2025:
23.08.25 DE – Schleswig / Baltic Open Air
04.09.25 DE – Loreley / 30 years In Extremo
06.09.25 DE – Luhmühlen / MPS Luhmühlen
More information, HERE
