After waiting what felt like a lifetime, I finally had the opportunity to witness my favorite metal band, Powerwolf, live. The anticipation had been building for months, ever since tickets went on sale. As soon as I stepped into the Hollywood Palladium, the electricity in the air was palpable. Fans from all over had gathered to celebrate this monumental night, the first stop of Powerwolf’s North American Tour 2024. The venue buzzed with excitement, and I could already tell this would be a night to remember.
The evening commenced with a powerful opening set by Unleash the Archers, a Canadian power metal band that has steadily gained a strong following over the years. Vocalist Brittney Slayes commanded the stage with her incredible vocal range, effortlessly transitioning from ethereal melodies to spine-tingling operatic belts. Starting off their set with “Abyss,” Unleash the Archers immediately captivated the audience. The intricate guitar riffs by Grant Truesdell and Andrew Kingsley Saunders harmonized perfectly, setting the tone for the rest of their performance.
As the band delved into “Ghosts of the Mist” and “Gods in Decay,” it became clear that they had honed their craft during the pandemic hiatus. Nick Miller, the bassist, and Scott Buchanan, the drummer, provided a solid and dynamic rhythm section that was both powerful and precise. The inclusion of Stan Rogers’“Northwest Passage” was a crowd favorite, turning into a massive sing-along that brought a tear to many an eye.
But the highlight of Unleash the Archers’ set was their energetic rendition of “Tonight We Ride,” a track that had the entire venue bouncing along. By the time they closed with “The Matriarch,” the audience was thoroughly warmed up and ready for the main event.
The lights dimmed, and an eerie silence fell over the crowd. Suddenly, the stage was engulfed in fog, transforming it into a gothic cathedral. The howls began, an earthly chant that beckoned the arrival of Powerwolf. As Attila Dorn appeared dressed in his gothic cardinal’s outfit, the crowd erupted. The band kicked off with “Bless ‘em With the Blade,” the lead track from their new album “Wake Up the Wicked.” The scene was both visually and sonically striking, with Falk Maria Schlegel‘s keyboard melodies soaring above the thunderous double kick of drummer Roel van Helden.
Attila Dorn‘s stage presence was mesmerizing. In between songs, he engaged the crowd with humor and charisma, turning the concert into an interactive experience. The brother guitarists Matthew Greywolf and Charles Greywolf provided the raw power behind Powerwolf’s signature anthems, their synchronized headbanging a sight to behold.
The night was peppered with a mix of new and classic tracks. The live debut of “Heretic Hunters” and “Sinners of the Seven Seas” was met with ecstatic cheers, but it was familiar tunes like “Sanctified With Dynamite” and “Army of the Night” that sent the crowd into a fever pitch. Falk Maria Schlegel frequently left his riser to incite the crowd, waving a giant PW flag and ensuring the audience’s energy never waned.
A theatrical touch added to the show’s immersive quality. A dark-robed figure handed Dorn an incense burner mid-set, and he swung it ritualistically, intensifying the show’s gothic ambiance. Beach balls and even an inflatable pool bed floated across the crowd, injecting a playful element into the otherwise dark and epic proceedings.
Powerwolf closed their main set with a high-octane performance of “Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” leaving the audience roaring for more. The encore was nothing short of sensational, with the band returning to deliver “Incense & Iron,” “We Drink Your Blood,” and finally, the anthemic “Armata Strigoi.” Each song seemed to amplify the night’s energy, leaving fans, myself included, in pure bliss.
Leaving the Palladium, I couldn’t help but reflect on the night’s highlights. Unleash the Archers impressed with their technical skill and powerful setlist, but it was Powerwolf who took us on a transcendent journey. My favorite tracks of the night included “We Don’t Wanna Be No Saints” and “Army of the Night,” but the entire set was a masterclass in what makes metal so electrifying and unifying.
This was more than just a concert; it was a spiritual experience, a night where metal truly felt like a religion. Powerwolf and Unleash the Archers delivered performances that none of us in attendance will soon forget, and I can’t wait to see where these bands go next.
Show review by Carlos Villanueva
