Powerwolf make their UK arena debut on the Wake Up The Wicked tour, massive theming and lots of fire – we went along to check it out!

Arriving at Wembley Arena over an hour before the first band are due on stage sees the place already buzzing with a steady stream of fans making their way way into the venue. While arena gigs are often massive affairs with lots of theming, tonights show promises to take this to the next level with lots of expectations around what we’re about to see – the atmosphere is truly electric as we wait for the last date on the Wake Up The Wicked tour to begin!

Wind Rose

The first band this evening is Wind Rose from Italy. Exponents of Dwarf metal and sporting dwarf personas they take to the stage to cheers and shouts! I’ve not seen these guys before and wasn’t quite prepared for how instantly fun they’d be. The guitars hit, the dwarven chants roll across the arena, along with a proliferation of blow up pick axes raised in digging fashion!

It’s clear that the crowd are in fine voice and onboard with the band, lots of smiling faces. It’s also ironic that Francesco Cavalieri on vocals and dressed as a dwarf is one of the largest men I’ve ever seen with a voice to match!

A MASS OF PEOPLE AND PICK AXES

Diggy Diggy Hole turns the whole floor of the arena into a bouncing mass of people and pick axes! The crowd sings along and it is difficult to resist the infectious chorus and to not join in. Indeed, it feels like the whole venue is singing along. Apparently the UK is the home of Dwarf metal according to Cavalieri, not that I was aware of it!

The band have this infectious “we’re here to have fun while knocking out some top drawer metal” attitude about them and this permeates throughout the crowd. They finish the (short) set with Rock And Stone from the Trollslayer album, and leave the stage to much applause. I’d definitely be keen to see these guys again, maybe in a smaller, more intimate venue where they can really connect with the crowd. Brilliant openers and an excellent start to the evening.

HammerFall

There is an army of techies on the stage changing the theming and putting in elevated platforms, eventually the lights go down and we’re off! HammerFall are a band I’ve seen many times throughout the years (much like Powerwolf actually). They always put on an impressive performance, and this evening is no different. Squeaky tight and note perfect they start with Avenge The Fallen from the 2024 album of the same name and manage to wring as much energy as possible out of the track, immediately stamping their authority on the venue which is now looking comfortably full.

Frontman Joacim Cans appears on the top of one of the elevated platforms, in fine voice and full of passion. The dual guitar attack of Pontus Norgren and Oscar Dronjak is right on point and drummer David Wallin is invisible behind his huge kit, which is itself covered in chains!

ANYTHING BUT BUDGET

Hammer Of Dawn rings out across the venue, classic metal, galloping along. For Let The Hammer Fall Cans has some fun with the crowd, asking them “what is the name of the band?” and “this song is..…” eventually turning to the banner at the back of the stage and saying our name is there. Of course it isn’t! He jokes this is a budget tour (when it obviously is anything but!)

He introduces the band, saying who need Yngwie Malmsteen when you have Pontus Norgren, indeed the solos are very well executed (by both guitarists actually) and lack the twiddly nonsense of the afore mentioned guitar legend, founding guitarist Oscar Dronjak gets the biggest cheer.

(We Make) Sweden Rock is a crowd pleaser and sees the floor of the arena become a sea of waving hands. The set ends with Hearts On Fire, more classic Hammerfall and it feels like the whole venue is singing along. Before leaving the stage, Oscar Dronjak throws hist guitar high into the air, thankfully catching it too! Great stuff and we’re now well warmed up for the highly anticipated arrival of Powerwolf.

The army of technicians return to change the stage theme around and and massive red curtain, adorned with a large Powerwolf emblem, is unfurled to big cheers, we await the climax of the evening!

Powerwolf

And then Wembley went full on cathedral! The curtain dropped to reveal Attila Dorn atop a podium high above the stage which is now themed as a cathedral with a huge animated backdrop! Two massive screens either side of the stage which are fed by camera feeds from the sound desk.

From the first notes of Bless ‘Em With The Blade is was clear this was going to be something special. As the evening continues, it is no exaggeration to say that I have never seen so many pyrotechnics at a gig or festival. More on that later.

Attila Dorn is a commanding figure, conducting the crowd as if they’re his personal army. His podium returns to stage level, he’s in fine voice and looking like he is enjoying every second. Prior to the show we had the news that Matthew Greywolf would not be on this tour because of personal reasons, then he was to return but Charles Greywolf would be sitting it out. From where I was sitting, it was difficult to tell which of the brothers was present on the stage but I think it was indeed Matthew. He was joined by Powerwolf friend Dom R. Crey on lead guitar. And what a splendid job this guy did, fitted in perfectly and the solos were excellent.

SPROUTING FIRE!

Amen And Attack has the crowd singing their hearts out. For Armata Strigoi, Dorn splits the crowd for singing duties, finally asking the security to sing their piece, he’s clearly in playful mood! Sinners Of The Seven Seas has the floor of the arena jumping up and down and Amen And Attack has the crowd singing their hearts out again. An organ is moved onto the stage for Falk Maria Schlegel to play, fire sprouting from the over the top organ pipes!

Dorn attests “Heavy Metal is more than music, it’s a lifestyle, it’s our religion!” to cheers! Dancing With The Dead sees Attila encouraging Falk to dance with him, the crowd shouts Dance! Dance! Dance! and eventually the pair waltz around the stage! There is excellent chemistry between these two characters, it is as clear as day how well they work together.

Incense And Iron sees a collection of monks on the stage and the arrival of incense! Attila comments everyone is smiling and grinning, even drummer Roel. The cameras switch to the drummer, his riser way above the stage, to reveal him looking very serious on the kit, he immediately switches to a demented grin!

BURNED AT THE STAKE

1589 is classic Powerwolf and ends with Falk being burned at the stake! More pyros and top class theming. Falk returns to the stage as the song concludes and Attila asks the crowd to give him some power back with more cheering. Crowd pleaser Demons Are A Girls Best Friend is next and this just makes Wembley explode.

Kreuzfeuer sees the whole stage lit by fire and Fire And Forgive gives Attila an opportunity to have flame throwers attached to his arms! Throughout, Attila’s voice is ridiculously strong, booming through the arena like some metal preacher commanding a congregation.

It’s clear there is an element of choreography going on (almost required given the amount of pyro activity) but the band always make it look spontaneous and relaxed, this isn’t just a gig, it really is a proper show. While the music is the main focus, there is so much other stuff going on here that is transcends a simple gig.

We Drink Your Blood is a fitting way to end the set and chants of Powerwolf echo around the arena before they return for three further songs, concluding the evening with Werewolves Of Armenia and lots of audience participation splitting the crowd into “hu’s” and “ha’s“! Powerwolf have come a long way since I first saw them over 15 years ago, in truth, it has taken ages to break the UK but this evening has finally elevated them to the status they deserve, with a truly awesome show.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Three bands, three different flavours of power metal, and a crowd that seemed completely up for it from start to finish. It felt like one of those nights where everyone – bands included – just decided to have as much fun as possible. Another excellent evening!

Wind Rose & Hammerfall concert photography by Graham Hilling. You can check out more of his work on his website, here.

Powerwolf concert photography by Vollvincent & Vincent de Fallois

Powerwolf: Website

Hammerfall: Website

Wind Rose: Website

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