Germany’s hottest folk metal band, Feuerschwanz, has hit #1 on the Official German Album Charts again. Feuerschwanz unleashed their new full-length, Fegefeuer, last Friday, and have now stormed the album charts with their second #1 placement in a row. Feuerschwanz's previous studio album, Memento Mori (2021), also entered at #1, and with this new achievement, it is safe to say that Feuerschwanz truly belongs among one of the biggest current bands in the German metal scene.
With the switch to Napalm Records in 2020, Feuerschwanz started their gradual change from the comedic medieval folk outfit of the past into the serious metal band they are today, with #3-charting album, Das elfte Gebot. The 2021 live album, Die letzte Schlacht, landed at #4, and with Memento Mori, the band climbed to the top of the Official German Album Charts for the first time, followed by the cover album Todsünden on #5. All of the last five releases entered the Top 5 of the Official German Album Charts. With their second #1 album, Fegefeuer, Feuerschwanz have reached new career highs – and there’s no end in sight to their ongoing ascent!
Feuerschwanz on the chart entry: “FEGEFEUER HITS #1 IN THE GERMAN ALBUM CHARTS! Our second #1 in only two years - if someone had told us this would happen in the early days, when we sang unplugged on beer benches, cracking jokes about mead... We would have laughed madly into the drinking horn and sung on until we fell off the table (which wasn’t so bad - there were fewer spectators in front of the “stage” than musicians on it anyway).
To celebrate such a victory today - even though we haven’t even digested the last #1 entry - is just great! We owe it all to YOU - whether you have accompanied us through the purgatory of the early days or if you have recently joined us. Another epic album battle has been fought - and we have won!
Dear mainstream radio landscape out there: There is a crazy, colorful and fantastic music world here where people sing and sweat together, where music is made by hand, where strange instruments are used and where you can be a battle dwarf or a Valkyrie or both at the same time! This is not a funny little fringe group - no, we are LOUD and we are MANY! To our biggest fans, the HORDE - we thank you!”
Napalm Records Founder, Owner and Managing Director Markus Riedler: “What a success! Feuerschwanz have secured the #1 spot on the Official German Album Charts again with the new album, Fegefeuer. With the goal of constantly evolving to consistently deliver the quality that makes listeners have fun and be in a good mood, the band not only has great demands on themselves, but also on us as a label. Accordingly, we would like to thank all those involved who have made this success possible. Above all, however, this thanks goes to you, the fans, for supporting this great band so devotedly on its development and future path!”
Fegefeuer kicks off with outstanding opening track “SGFRD Dragonslayer”. Lyrical references to the legendary Siegfried Dragonslayer combine with heavy riffing and Nordic mythology. Successor “Bastard von Asgard” features beautiful vocals by Eluveitie’s Fabienne Erni. The catchy viking party anthem “Berzerkermode” calls for the listener to join the celebration and “party like a viking”, while the first three tracks, as well as heavy “Highlander”, are best proof of the band’s evolution from comedy rock to metal. Other tracks like the intense title track “Fegefeuer”, Lord of the Rings battlechant “Uruk-Hai” and “Die Horde” will be long-time fan favorites.
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.
Order the album here
Fegefeuer tracklisting:
"SGFRD Dragonslayer"
"Bastard von Asgard"
"Berzerkermode"
"Knochenkarussell"
"Fegefeuer"
"Die Horde"
"Uruk-Hai"
"Highlander"
"Morrigan"
"Eis & Feuer"
"Valkyren"
“Knochenkarussell” video:
"Berzerkermode" video:
"Bastard von Asgard" video:
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 tracklisting:
"Intro (Das Elfte Gebot)" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Memento Mori" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Untot im Drachenboot" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Metfest" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Ultima Nocte" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Schubsetanz" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Methämmer" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Dragostea Din Tei" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Rohirrim" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Das Elfte Gebot" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Warriors Of The World United" (Live in Wacken 2022 / feat. Melissa Bonny)
"Die Hörner Hoch" (Live in Wacken 2022)
"Extro" (Live in Wacken 2022)
Feuerschwanz are:
Johanna - violin, hurdy-gurdy
Hauptmann - vocals, guitar
Hodi - flutes, bagpipes, guitars, vocals
Hans - guitar
Jarne - bass
Rollo - drums
Musch Musch - dance & performance
Myu - dance & performance
(Photo - Stefan Heilemann)
