Minneapolis is totally crazy and possessed with heavy metal! That’s what Attila Dorn himself had to say about the incredibly passionate crowd as Powerwolf brought their holy heavy metal mass to Minnesota on their third US tour. The Myth Live was filled to the brim with an audience ready to sing, howl, and raise their horns in unison. Known for their theatrical blend of symphonic and power metal, the German wolves have steadily climbed to become one of the most beloved acts in the genre. The twin cities braced themselves for the oncoming storm.
DragonForce took the stage first, and their performance was nothing short of a hurricane. Herman Li and Sam Totman shredded through their dueling guitar parts with a precision that seemed almost supernatural. Their energy was infectious, and the crowd responded instantly, fists pumping and voices shouting along to the rapid-fire choruses. Gee Anzalone on drums and Alicia Vigil on bass kept the beats thundering to match the lightning-fast riffs. Marc Hudson was not only a powerhouse on vocals but also effortlessly charming while interacting with the crowd. Just like their tour last year opening for Dethklok and their headlining tour in 2023, Billy Wilkins accompanied the band and the addition of a third guitarist added so much depth. Every note carried DragonForce’s signature over-the-top style and they showed no intention of easing the audience into the night gently.
One of the most talked-about about parts of recent DragonForce shows is the chicken. During “Power of the Triforce,” Marc throws a giant chicken plush into the crowd for everyone to toss around, with one rule: the chicken needs to survive. After being tossed to every inch of the Myth and even up to the balcony, shocking absolutely no one, the chicken did not survive. All that remained was an empty husk. And at the end of the night, when the pit emptied, all of the chicken’s guts could be seen strewn throughout. It was glorious. Another new staple to the set, “Space Marine Corp,” led to the strongest warriors doing pushups in the pit. This was followed up with something you don’t see every day: a circle pit to a Taylor Swift song. A few years ago, DragonForce did an unbelievably fast cover of T-Swift’s “Wildest Dreams,” and it’s been a must-have on their setlist ever since. But when they launched into “Through the Fire and Flames,” the audience erupted into a wild frenzy, as if it were a rite of passage to scream those iconic lyrics in unison. By the time their set closed, it felt less like an opening act and more like the ignition for something monumental.
When Powerwolf finally took the stage, the room transformed into their dark cathedral of metal, complete with atmospheric lighting and smoke that seemed to roll in like a storm. It was finally time for Minnesota’s baptism by fire. Vocalist Attila Dorn commanded the stage with his operatic voice, a true master of ceremony. Guitarists Matthew and Charles Greywolf locked into powerful riffs, their synchronized movements adding to the visual impact. Falk Maria Schlegel was a force of personality on the keyboards, while drummer Roel van Helden drove every anthem forward with thunderous precision. Each member contributed to the spectacle, creating a total experience greater than the sum of its parts.
The crowd was just as animated as the band. Many attended the heavy metal mass in full costumes. Nuns, priests, werewolves, even werewolf priests could all be seen throughout the pit, braving the heat just to show their love to Powerwolf. The vibes were unmatched, everyone was just so happy to be seeing their favourite band. For many, they were witnessing their very first holy heavy metal mass. Others have been following the wolves along their U.S. journey since that first show in New York City in 2023.
There was a noticeable air of respect and admiration for Falk, more so than usual, as he had fallen off the stage at the previous show in Milwaukee and dislocated his shoulder. Lesser performers might have taken time off, but Falk threw himself into the performance with unrelenting passion. He leapt around the stage, threw his good arm up at the crowd, and played with all the energy fans have come to love. Understandably, he wasn’t quite the unrelenting whirlwind of energy he normally is on stage and wasn’t able to dance with Attila during “Dancing with the Dead,” but everyone really was just happy he was okay. Falk’s resilience became one of the emotional anchors of the night.
The setlist itself was mostly Powerwolf’s iconic anthems with a few fresh tracks from their 2024 album Wake Up The Wicked sprinkled in. “Amen & Attack” and “Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend” turned the crowd into a choir. Despite being entirely in the band’s native language of German, “Stossgebet” still had several die-hard fans singing along. “Fire and Forgive” is an absolute powerhouse, especially live – the passion behind the music can very clearly be felt. Newer songs “Sinners of the Seven Seas” and “Heretic Hunters” proved that Powerwolf’s creative fire is still burning strong. Each song carried its own theatrical weight, with lighting, smoke bursts, and coordinated crowd chants elevating the experience. It was a testament to the band’s ability to create timeless hooks while still pushing their sound forward.
The encore took the show up to eleven. Powerwolf saved some of their most beloved tracks for one final burst. “Sanctified With Dynamite” directly into “We Drink Your Blood” brought an unmatched surge of energy, as if it was the very start of the night instead of the very end of a 90 minute high-octane set. The holy metal mass closed out with the iconic “Werewolves of Armenia.” By the closing notes, the Myth felt like sacred ground for every person who had gathered. Powerwolf’s ability to unite their fans through soaring choruses, over-the-top theatrical stage presence, and sheer dedication is something rare and special. DragonForce had lit the fire early, but Powerwolf fanned it into a blaze that consumed the entire night. For everyone in the twin cities, it was an unforgettable gathering of wolves and dragons, bound together by the magic and love of power metal.
September 24th, 2025
