While we already knew that Powerwolf were lunging our way for another round of North American concert dates, the German power-metal pack have now confirmed that they're going to be dropping a new album before they cross the pond. And they just gave us the first taste of the record, titled Wake Up the Wicked, via an elaborately baroque music video for lead single "1589."
A press release explains that Powerwolf's new tune is based around the life of Peter Stump, a 16th century German farmer who was branded as the "Werewolf of Bedburg" over a series of local murders. As it turns out, his confessions — of not only cannibalistic murders, but also of being a lycanthropic beast — were made under torture. Nevertheless, he was executed in 1589, torn apart on the Wheel with his severed head then thrown onto a pike.
As for Powerwolf, their take on the lupine terror tale was filmed in the woods of England in extravagantly feral fashion, which you can see up above.
Wake up the Wicked marks Powerwolf's 10th full-length release, and was produced by Joost van den Broek at the Netherlands' Sandlane Recording Facilities. Eyeballing the tracklisting, "1589" seems to be in line with other potentially religious-and-superstitious, persecution-themed pieces like "Joan of Arc" and "Heretic Hunters."
As previously reported, Powerwolf return to North America this August for a run of North American dates alongside Canadian group Unleash the Archers. The trip, which Powerwolf promises will be "sheer madness," begins August 29th in Los Angeles and wraps in Quebec on September 15th. You'll find the full details here.
Wake Up the Wicked tracklisting:
Bless 'em With the Blade
Sinners of the Seven Seas
Kyrie Klitorem
Heretic Hunters
1589
Viva Vulgata
Wake Up the Wicked
Joan of Arc
Thunderpriest
We Don't Wanna Be No Saints
Vargamor
