Germany’s hottest band to date, FEUERSCHWANZ, unleashed their new studio album, Fegefeuer [EN: Purgatory], on July 21, 2023 via Napalm Records! Formed in 2004, the band has gradually shifted from their roots in comedic medieval folk into a much more serious direction. With the switch to Napalm Records ahead of the release of Das Elfte Gebot (2020), FEUERSCHWANZ set their sights entirely on metal - soon becoming one of the most relevant German bands in the genre today. The band’s enormously successful previous album of original music, Memento Mori (2021), even stormed the official German charts, peaking at #1.
After the great success of their latest album, the band headlined an almost completely sold out tour, and performed excellent co-headline sets at some of the most significant festivals, such as the legendary Wacken Open Air and Summer Breeze. FEUERSCHWANZ needs no further proof of being the hottest German folk metal band today!
Fegefeuer stays lyrically true to trademark topics, exploring long forgotten legends and heroic battles, and shows off the band’s extraordinary musical skills. The album will be available in various formats, with some containing the live bonus album “Live in Wacken 2022”, which includes a recording of their co-headline show from the holy fields. With their new release, FEUERSCHWANZ clearly confirm their outstanding position at the top of the German metal scene!
SGFRD Dragonslayer explodes from the start with bagpipes, roaring guitars, screams, strong backings and a raging hot tempo. It’s just sad my German is not good enough to fully understand it. I’m sure this will be a hot track when performed on stage! It’s clearly time they become as popular as Rammstein! Lyrical references to the legendary Siegfried Dragonslayer combine with heavy riffing and Nordic mythology.
Bastard von Asgard features beautiful vocals by Eluveitie’s Fabienne Erni. The backings gives it a catchy touch whilst the band is on fire! The tempo is speeded up, rages and is on fire!
Berzerkermode calls for the listener to join the celebration and “party like a viking and is clearly a must have! DJ’s must use this track to start the party or keep it rolling! Can’t wait to see this one getting performed live on stage! With this one they show they took another step forward, ready to conquer more hearts! Catchy as hell, thanks to the backings and the melody!
Knochenkarusell gives a bit more airplay to the violin, whilst the guitars sound like horses at a galop. The backings sounds like 100 fans chanting all along and will be played over on stage (am pretty sure). The tempo is a bit lower as the previous tracks.And yes, this is the new single!
FEUERSCHWANZ on “Knochenkarussell”:
“'Knochenkarussell' stands for the dance with the dead, also known as 'Danse Macabre', an often quoted motive from the world of the Middle Ages. Whether rich or poor, king or beggar, everyone is equal in the face of death. Therefore, let's celebrate the time we have! With the video for the song, we want to give back to all the Warriors and Valkyries out there some of the energy YOU give us every day! Let's dance through purgatory (Fegefeuer) together in celebration of the album release! Get in, get on, for the wild ride on the 'Knochenkarussell'!”
Fegefeuer mixes their old sound with the new rock/metal minded sound. The catchy sound stays strong, just as the excellent live vibe!
Die Horde is an excellent and catchy track that will call the fans to participate and scream all along! I’m pretty sure this one will become a new hit and a fan favourite track!
Uruk-Hai gets more airplay to the bagpipes but disappoint at first a bit as it needs to grow on you. But maybe I expected a bit too much from this one.
More bagpipes follow with (and it makes sense): Highlander. The catchy backings give the song an excellent power up and live feel!
Morrigan will call up more fans to sing-a-long thanks to the powerful backings! This has clearly become their new style! The song is a powered up rock/metal track! Just like the next one: Eis & Feuer!
Valkyren Valkyren ends this album with a very catchy topping and more sing-a-long moments, guided by the violin and the rest of the band! A nice ending!
I heard a lot of great tracks but no more songs in English and no more covers. I miss them a bit, but just like always: the band is evolving, growing, changing … It’s the kind of band that will never become dull or boring! I really hope they become as popular as Rammstein!
Tracklist Fegefeuer:
1. SGFRD Dragonslayer
2. Bastard von Asgard
3. Berzerkermode
4. Knochenkarussell
5. Fegefeuer
6. Die Horde
7. Uruk-Hai
8. Highlander
9. Morrigan
10. Eis & Feuer
11. Valkyren
Various limited versions come with the bonus CD, Live in Wacken 2022, recorded during the band's co-headline set at Wacken Open Air 2022. Other versions include the instrumental version of all 11 album tracks:
Live in Wacken 2022 Tracklist:
1. Intro (Das Elfte Gebot) (Live in Wacken 2022)
2. Memento Mori (Live in Wacken 2022)
3. Untot im Drachenboot (Live in Wacken 2022)
4. Metfest (Live in Wacken 2022)
5. Ultima Nocte (Live in Wacken 2022)
6. Schubsetanz (Live in Wacken 2022)
7. Methämmer (Live in Wacken 2022)
8. Dragostea Din Tei (Live in Wacken 2022)
9. Rohirrim (Live in Wacken 2022)
10. Das Elfte Gebot (Live in Wacken 2022)
11. Warriors Of The World United (Live in Wacken 2022 / feat. Melissa Bonny)
12. Die Hörner Hoch (Live in Wacken 2022)
13. Extro (Live in Wacken 2022)
FEUERSCHWANZ live
Festivals 2023
10.08.23 ES – Villena / Leyendas Del Rock
19.08.23 DE – Weil Am Rhein / MPS
26.08.23 DE – Wuppertal / Feuertal Festival
02.09.23 DE – Luhmühlen / MPS
Fegefeuer Tour 2024
w/ Orden Ogan, Angus McSix
11.04.24 DE - Hamburg / Große Freiheit 36
12.04.24 DE - Berlin / Huxleys
13.04.24 DE - Dresden / Alter Schlachthof
18.04.24 DE - Saarbrücken / Garage
19.04.24 DE - Erfurt / Club Central
26.04.24 DE - Hannover / Capitol
27.04.24 DE - Osnabrück / Hyde Park
01.05.24 DE - Nürnberg / Löwensaal
02.05.24 DE - Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn
03.05.24 DE - Wiesbaden / Schlachthof
04.05.24 DE - Köln / Palladium
06.12.24 AT - Wien / Arena
FEUERSCHWANZ is:
Hauptmann - Gesang, Akustikgitarre, Irish Bouzouki
Hodi - Gesang, Dudelsack, Akustikgitarre, Irish Bouzouki, Geyerleier, Schalmei, Tinwhistle, Rennaisance-Laute, Mandoline, Uilean Pipe
Johanna - Geige, Drehleier
Hans - E-Gitarre, Akustikgitarre
Rollo - Schlagzeug
Jarne - Bass, Gesang
Myu - Tanz & Performance
Musch Musch - Tanz & Performance
FEUERSCHWANZ online:
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