Powerwolf is one of those bands that, try as I might, I can't seem to grasp why their popularity continues to soar while my enjoyment of their music sits at a standstill. Wake Up the Wicked is the latest album from the popular Germans, and it's loaded to the gills with all the elements that have made them a household name amongst power metal fans. "Bless 'em With the Blade" and "Sinners of the Seven Seas" are brief and to the point, moderately heavy yet with full-on symphonic delivery, the slightly gruff vocals supported by multi-part backing vocal harmonies to give it that extra anthemic feel. I mean, it's hard to find fault with stuff like "Heretic Hunters", "1589", or the raging title track, each one sure to elicit sing-along chants and raising high many pints of ale. So, why does this all still leave me feeling a little empty? Well, for one, musically, nothing much is really expanded upon here, as all the songs are fairly short and seem more interested in being vocal-oriented rather than being a battleground for some inventing, heavy riffing or adventurous arrangements. From one track to the next, tempos rarely change, and it all seems like an excuse to create one anthemic chorus after another, and while I love a good catchy chorus ("Joann of Arc" is pretty well done), so many of these all sound the same, and I'm left wanting something, anything, that will thrill me on a musical level.
In summary, I might be in the minority, but Wake Up the Wicked, and Powerwolf in general, leaves me a bit cold, despite how well done it all is.
Track Listing
1.
Bless 'em With the Blade 02:47
2.
Sinners of the Seven Seas 03:00
3.
Kyrie Klitorem 03:03
4.
Heretic Hunters 03:26
5.
1589 04:04
6.
Viva Vulgata 03:08
7.
Wake Up the Wicked 03:39
8.
Joan of Arc 03:20
9.
Thunderpriest 03:21
10.
We Don't Wanna Be No Saints 03:15
11.
Vargamor 03:57
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