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Whilst not as bizarre as hearing Till Lindemann singing in English on the debut Lindemann album ‘Skills in Pills’, it does take a few moments to get accustomed to ‘Warriors’: the first album from German folk-metallers Feuerschwanz to be recorded entirely in English. Or to be more precise, about 30 seconds into the opening track ‘Highlander’ when it becomes apparent that the risk taken by Hauptmann Feuerschwanz and his motley crew has paid off.
Feuerschwanz’s 2022 stop-gap album ‘Todsünden’ featured a clever mix of cover songs performed in both their native German language and the English language (ABBA’s ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ is given the full-on Feuerschwanz treatment and is so infectious that it should come with a health warning), but this is the first time where the entire album is all in English.
Since signing with Napalm Records in 2020 the band has never looked back. ‘Das Elfte Gebot’ was the first album of the Napalm era and the band has gone from strength to strength.
‘Warriors’ features 10 well-known Feuerschwanz tracks from the last few years reimagined and translated into English by vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Ben Metzner aka Prince Hodi, along with a brand new song ‘The Unholy Grail’ and a cover track of Miracle Of Sound’s ‘Valhalla Calling’ from Assassin’s Creed.
Opening track ‘Highlander’ is a fantastic introduction to Feuerschwanz for anyone stumbling across the band for the first time as it packs in so many Feuerschwanz trademarks. Hodi’s thrilling bagpipes, the ever-smiling Johanna von der Vögelweide’s (aka Stephanie Pracht) evocative violin sound, along with the nailed-on riffage from Hans Platz – who is rapidly becoming one of the standout players in metal today – could be classed as the 3 main ingredients that make up Feuerschwanz and all feature heavily on the tale of Connor Macleod from the 80s classic movie ‘Highlander’ (we won’t talk about the sequels, aye?).
‘The Forgotten Commandment’ is another great example of Feuerschwanz-isms because it features the stellar co-vocals of Hauptmann Feuerschwanz (aka Peter Henrici) and Hodi; Hauptmann’s low tones are perfect for setting the scene. Whereas, it’s Platz’s riffs that steal the show on tracks such as ‘Circlepit of Hell’ (the mob vocals on this one hit the mark repeatedly) and the Maiden-esque ‘Bastard of Asgard’.
‘Warriors’ has guests at every turn; ‘The Unholy Grail’ features members of Dominum, and Orden Ogan; Chris Harms from Lord of the Lost appears on the title track of ‘Memento Mori’ the 2021 album that brought Feuerschwanz their first #1 on the Official German Album Charts; the unmistakeable tones of Francesco Cavalieri from Italian dwarf metal/power metal outfit Wind Rose give ‘Wardwarf’ an extra inch or two (the live video that accompanies the track is a perfect representation of what a Feuerschwanz show looks and sounds like); and ‘Song of Ice and Fire’ should add another thousand or so followers to Patty Gurdy’s socials.
With the talented 8-piece branching out to non-German speaking territories like Spain, The Netherlands, and the US/Caribbean (for the 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise), and given Naplam Records’s reach worldwide, an album performed in English makes sense. While the main appeal – even to non-German speakers – is the originals (a strong hook is a strong hook regardless of the language) ‘Warriors’ is a perfect accompaniment and if it helps bring the band to the attention of the organisers of Bloodstock Festival then it’s job done. Feuerschwanz are one of the best live acts today, and Bloodstock would be the perfect match. 2025, maybe?
‘Warriors’ is available now, more information HERE.
Connect with Feuerschwanz HERE
Review – Dave
Photo Credit: Stefan Heilemann
FEUERSCHWANZ live 2024:
Fegefeuer Tour 2024:
w/ Orden Ogan, Dominum
27.11.24 NL – Eindhoven / Effenaar
28.11.24 NL – Haarlem / Patronaat
29.11.24 FR – Paris / Trabendo
03.12.24 IT – Milan / Live Club
06.12.24 AT – Vienna / Arena – SOLD OUT!
Festivals 2024:
10.05.24 DE – Rastede / MPS
11.05.24 BE – Bomal-Sur-Ourthe / Durbuy Rock
01.06.24 DE – Fulda / Museumshof
02.06.24 CZ – Pilsen / Metalfest Open Air
14.06.24 AT – Nickelsdorf / Nova Rock
15.06.24 CH – Interlaken / Greenfield Festival
16.06.24 PT – Sao Pedro do Sul / Belavista Open Air
20.07.24 DE – Niedergörsdorf / Motorcycle Jamboree
02.08.24 DE – Wacken / Wacken Open Air
03.08.24 DE – Bückeburg / MPS
09.08.24 BE – Kortrijk / Alcatraz Festival
16.08.24 DE – Dinkelsbühl / Summer Breeze
17.08.24 DE – Weil Am Rhein / MPS
31.08.24 DE – Halle (Saale) / In Extremo „Weckt Die Toten” Festival
07.09.24 DE – Luhmühlen / MPS
10.–15.09.24 DE – Kiel / Full Metal Cruise
14.12.24 DE – Essen / Grugahalle – 20 Jahre FEUERSCHWANZ
