Bringing a winning formula to perfection - A review of Powerwolf's The Sacrament of Sin

Powerwolf didn't change its winning formula with seventh studio record The Sacrament of Sin. Mid-paced melodic European power metal meets sacral orchestrations and tongue-in-cheek lyrics about the Catholic Church, werewolves and sexual innuendo.

The brilliant opener "Fire and Forgive" comes around with an atmospheric overture including chiming bells and domineering keyboard sounds before powerful riffs, vibrant vocals and a steady rhythm section lead toward an incredibly catchy chorus. Powerwolf's greatest strength is to manage to write quite memorable songs with clear structures within four minutes that are made to be sung by huge crowds. The slightly more sinister "Killers with the Cross", the folk-driven "Incense and Iron" as well as melodic heavy metal closer "Fist by Fist (Sacralize or Strike)" all sound somewhat familiar in approach but are very efficient nonetheless.

Before things get too predictable, repetitive and stereotypical, Powerwolf come around with a few minimal experiments in this record's intriguing middle section. "Where the Wild Wolves Have Gone" is an epic power ballad that convinces with melodic keyboard arrangements and raw but melodic vocals. The experiment is very successful and here is hope to hearing similar songs in the future. The atmospheric "Stoßgebet" is the most amusing track on the album with tongue-in-cheek lyrics in Latin of doubtful quality and German that essentially talk about a priest having sexual intercourse with a woman. "Nightside of Siberia" on the other side has a cinematic note and manages to sound even more diversified, dramatic and epic than the rest. If there is ever going to be a movie about werewolves in Russia, this has to be its title track.

Another element that needs to be pointed out regarding a band with such an important lyrical, musical and visual concept as Powerwolf is the brilliant colourful cover artwork that summarizes everything the band stands for. The booklet is even more diverisfied as every individual song is represented by a specific artwork by Zsofia Dankova who did an outstanding job. Purchasing the limited physical edition of this release offers even more value for money. It comes around with a stylish key chain and a generous bonus disc that underlines Powerful's enormous popularity in Germany but also abroad. Ten different bands have covered ten specific Powerwolf songs, including a very playful rendition of "Sacred and Wild" by Epica, a raw medieval metal Interpretation of "We Drink Your Blood" by Saltatio Mortis and a shot of Celtic atmosphere in Eluveitie's elaborate take on "Nata Vimpi Cvrmid / Ira Sancti (When the Saints Are Going Wild)" to only name three great examples.

In the end, Powerwolf's seventh studio record The Sacrament of Sin will please fans of the band and make those who dislike the group's concept cringe as usual. If you haven't purchased a Powerwolf record yet, you might as well start here as The Sacrament of Sin represents everything this band stands for. The band didn't change its winning formula but avoided repeating itself too much thanks to a slightly more adventurous middle section, brilliant and precise song writing and a wonderful package with great bonus disc, stunning cover artwork and detailed booklets. Powerwolf hasn't delivered the best album of the year but certainly one of the most accessible, catchy and entertaining releases in recent memory.

Final rating: 80%