17 October 2024

Feuerschwanz – Warriors (Album Review)

Release Date: May 01st 2024 - Napalm Records

28 June 2024 Michael Lueders REVIEWS Comments Off

Medieval metal legends Feuerschwanz are back and better than ever before with their first fully English album, Warriors! An album full of killer guest features, covers and tracks both new and old, the band are showing no signs of stopping as they celebrate their 20th anniversary!

The band fires off the album with Highlander (English Version). Complete with a catchy chorus and unique bagpipe opening, the heavy metal tale begins telling the story of the highlander and making this a strong opening, “who wants to live forever” setting a heavy tone for the rest of the album.

With the second track, we meet our first collaboration and Feuerschwanz’s first original song in English. The Unholy Grail sees Dominium and Orden Ogan (who will both be joining them on their 2024 tour) coming together to create the perfect head banging track, the combination of vocal styles creating something unique for this surprise single.

Although track three, The Forgotten Commandment, takes a more mellow approach to the verses the choruses are powerful with rising drum beats and the strong community message “We are not alone” combined with the slower instrumental sections make me sure it’ll be a hit played live.

Memento Mori has a more cinematic edge with a strong bass that thrums in the veins of listeners, the slowly increasing tempo truly emphasises the message of taking every moment, something both Feuerschwanz and Lord Of The Lost’s Chris Harms have both felt navigating the music industry adding a personal element to the collaboration.

Halfway through the album, we meet Death On The Dragonship. It’s not a Feuerschwanz song without Hodi’s iconic scream, prominent through the entire album but the most noticeable early on in the song, it’s here the lyrics begin to get more fantastical and the bass seemingly gets ever stronger.

Working closely with Francessco Cavalieri of Wind Rose, Wardwarf is a track that really relates back to the album name both thematically and lyrically! “We are warriors, fierce and brutal” adds a more medieval element to the song than some of the previous tracks.

Playing up to the “devil” connotations of heavy music with a catchy chorus designed to get the ultimate crowd participation, Circle Pit of Hell is the ultimate feel good rock song. With lighter lyrical themes and a rock steady beat, it’s designed to get everyone the floor dancing and having a good time!

Patty Gurdy is a household name for Folk Metal fans and she brings her strongest melodies and solos yet to the next track Song Of Ice And Fire easily complimenting the guitar riffs and adding a new depth to the music.

Purgatory is where we once again see the rise of the bagpipes during the intro but it quickly takes a turn into a much heavier side complete with guttural screaming and slashing riffs for the remainder of the track.

Bastard Of Asgard is, in my opinion, the most intense and well-translated choice for the album! From the opening notes, the band are firing on all cylinders while the female vocals provide a different dimension to the song that wasn’t quite there in the original.

SGFRD Dragonslayer (English Version) showcases the true extent of Johanna’s talent on the violin and the magic that comes from experimenting with instruments outside of the genres limitations.

Some may have looked at the closing track and groaned “do we really need another cover of this song?” and the answer is absolutely yes! Valhalla Calling is the perfect high-energy note to end the album on with ever-pounding drums, intense guitar shredding and insane vocals taking center stage.

Overall, Warriors is a must-have for every metal fans collection and a killer way for the band to break into the wider international market!

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