POWERWOLF with UNLEASH THE ARCHERS
Hollywood Palladium
Los Angeles, CA
8.29.24
LIVE REVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY WOLF REQUIESTAS
The Hollywood Palladium was buzzing with anticipation on August 29, 2024, as the iconic venue played host to a night of metal mastery. With a packed room and an electrifying atmosphere, the crowd eagerly awaited the beginning of the show. As the first stop on Powerwolf’s highly anticipated North American Tour 2024, the concert promised a thrilling experience, heightened by the exclusive world live premiere of their new album, Wake Up the Wicked. The lines outside were long, the air thick with excitement, and fans were ready for the metal festivities to commence.
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS: A Stellar Opener
As the lights dimmed and the venue was enveloped in darkness, the roar of the crowd signaled the beginning of an unforgettable night. Unleash the Archers took the stage, greeted by thunderous applause that set the tone for an evening of powerful performances. They launched their set with “Abyss,” a track that perfectly showcased their prowess. The song’s epic riffs and dramatic crescendos provided a grand opening, immediately capturing the audience’s attention with its intricate guitar work and Brittney Slayes’ ethereal vocals.
Throughout their set, Unleash the Archers demonstrated their dynamic range with a selection of songs from various albums. They progressed from the melodic intensity of “Ghosts in the Mist” to the hard-hitting “Gods in Decay.” The crowd was particularly taken with their rendition of “Northwest Passage,” a poignant Stan Rogers cover that Slayes affectionately dubbed “the other Canadian national anthem,” and the crowd sang along as if it were their own.
Guitarists Grant Truesdell and Nick Miller were a highlight of the performance, their movements on stage both dynamic and fluid. Truesdell’s technical mastery was a sight to behold, as he navigated complex solos with ease. Slayes’ vocals, meanwhile, were nothing short of celestial, soaring effortlessly over the powerful instrumentation and adding an extra layer of magic to the evening.
POWERWOLF: Harbingers of Metal Mass
As the fog machines cranked up, the stage transformed into a gothic church of metal. Attila Dorn, draped in attire befitting a high priest of metal mass, led the charge. The crowd erupted as Powerwolf launched into “Bless ‘em with the Blade,” the live debut and opening track from their new album, Wake Up the Wicked. The music, with its thunderous drums and soaring guitar riffs, created an atmosphere that felt both grand and sacred, setting the tone for an unforgettable performance.
The scene was not just sonic but also visually stunning, with beach balls floating through the crowd and an inflatable pool bed drifting across the sea of fans, adding a playful and surreal touch to the proceedings. In between one of the songs, a figure dressed in a hooded brown robe, resembling a dark priest, emerged from the shadows. He handed an incense burner to Dorn, who wielded it with ritualistic flair, swinging it with a dark, ceremonial grace, invoking metal’s primal energy. The crowd roared with approval, embracing the dramatic and immersive experience.
Throughout their set, Powerwolf delivered a captivating performance, blending their signature sound with the grandeur of their new material. Dorn interacted with the crowd between songs, encouraging them to join in on the “oh-oh-oh” sections and teaching them how to sing along. This interaction added an extra layer of engagement and made the audience feel like an integral part of the show.
The band drew from their extensive discography, including fan favorites and deep cuts. Falk Maria Schlegel, the band’s organist, was a standout with his dramatic flair. He brandished a giant flag adorned with the letters PW and even descended from his platform to join the crowd in a rousing sing-along.
The set list was a thrilling journey through Powerwolf’s catalog, culminating in the explosive “Sanctified with Dynamite” from their Blood of the Saints album. The roar for an encore was deafening, and Powerwolf delivered three crowd favorites that left fans ecstatic. The encore included “Incense & Iron,” “We Drink Your Blood,” and “Armata Strigoi,” each song amplifying the night’s energy and capping off an unforgettable performance.
The Hollywood Palladium was the perfect venue for this epic metal event. Unleash the Archers delivered a powerful and engaging opening set, setting high expectations for the night. Powerwolf, with their theatrical presentation and epic sound, embraced their role as the harbingers of metal mass and delivered a performance that truly embodied the ethos that “metal is religion.” If this tour is any indication, Powerwolf’s influence and impact on the metal scene will continue to resonate deeply with fans for years to come.
