Powerwolf
                                                                                                                  Blessed & Possessed
                                                                                                                  Label: Napalm Records 
                                                                                                                  Release Date :17 July 2015
Hallelujah !  Powerwolf  return with Album numero Six and it’s a sterling return as these Teutonic Power Metallers do what they always do best! Powerful catchy lyrics, histrionics ,and crowd pleasing anthems are as ever the order of the day with Powerwolf and on “Blessed & Possessed” the band continue to stick to their formula so beloved by their huge horde of fans.

 

The operatic tones and majestic build up are  a huge part of Powerwolf and the band don’t disappoint as title track  "“Blessed & Possessed"” opens proceedings, my first listen to this was at the gym and I had a maniacal grin on my face and quizzical looks as the opening bars emanated,  and the spiritual awakening proceeds to the first “Hallelujah” the sacraments shown ,with  blood, fire and swords unsheathed, as the catching  lyrics soon get into your head as  “"Lets Get Possessed"” rings out! "“Dead Until Dark"” is a mega cheese fest , but who cares! I know I don’t! This band know how to deliver some insanely catchy lyrics to have you singing along after one listen.

Marching into battle the “"Army of the Night"” bangs the drum and has the enemy running scared. "“Armata Strigoi"” is a track I kept going back to , its not deliriously fast , but its melodic grooves and snappy words draw you in, Atilla Dorn weaves and tells the tale as the track reaches its conclusion, there is some guitarmanship  which I am sure has been done before elsewhere, but it doesn't matter this is POWERWOLF ! So they are forgiven!  "“We Are The Wild"” Bored me to be honest, although Live I am certain it will be a winner  , however it is not as catchy an anthem as say the classic  “"We Drink Your Blood."

” Wow! Next up is the stand out track  "“Higher Than Heaven"” this    is a  fast and Powerful song, a Power Metallers dream perhaps? "“Christ & Combat”" follows and heads to the Crusades marching towards the river of Jordan as the battles commence you are  thrown  into the maelstrom of steel and thunder, bang your head and listen and learn!" “Sanctus Dominus"” sung in Latin and er Hallelujah!  , but a fun song in any case to  sing along to while drinking your mead!  "“Sacramental Sister"” and “"All You Can Bleed”" continue the format that’s to be expected from theses hungry Power Metal Wolves .

The final song “Let Their Be Night”" runs over seven minutes it’s a noble but strange finish, you will see why when you hear it. 
    

So to sum up:
I admit a lot of their songs can sound a bit samey, the Album artwork is a bit of a let down and maybe too many Hallelujahs!  But that aside I  enjoyed this album, its not ground breaking it is what it is and like I stated before will please Powerwolf fans with out a doubt , those on the outside maybe not so much!   As an added bonus theirs a limited edition available where the band cover some Classic Tunes. 
 

Review : Seb Di Gatto Score :8.5
 

Disc I                                                                      Facebook    Website                                             
01. Blessed & Possessed
02. Dead Until Dark
03. Army Of The Night
04. Armata Strigoi
05. We Are The Wild
06. Higher Than Heaven
07. Christ & Combat
08. Sanctus Dominus
09. Sacramental Sister
10. All You Can Bleed
11. Let There Be Night

Disc II [Limited edition]
01. Touch Of Evil [Judas Priest cover]
02. Conquistadores [Running Wild cover]
03. Edge Of Thorns [Savatage cover]
04. Power And Glory [Chroming Rose cover]
05. Out In The Fields [Gary Moore cover]
06. Shot In The Dark [Ozzy Osbourne cover]
07. Gods Of War Arise [Amon Amarth cover]
08. The Evil That Men Do [Iron Maiden cover]
09. Headless Cross [Black Sabbath cover]
10. Night Crawler [Judas Priest cover]