Powerwolf Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they cite the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

powerwolf.jpeg

Powerwolf are a heavy metal, occasionally power metal, band with a strong organ and keyboard presence. The line up has been consistent except for drummers which there has only be two that have recorded with the band. All members contribute to writing. Vocals has been Karsten "Attila Dorn" Brill. On guitars, Benjamin "Matthew Greywolf" Buss, rhythm/bass guitars David "Charles Greywolf" Vogt. Organ / Keyboards is Christian "Falk Maria Schlegel" Jost. The first three albums had Stefan "Stéfane Funèbre" Gemballa on drums and since has been Roel van Helden. Between them for a short time Tom Diener was on drums but never recorded.

Deep Purple are an important hard rock and early heavy metal band.  Matthew said they were an influence in the beginning of Powerwolf.

Deep Purple are an important hard rock and early heavy metal band. Matthew said they were an influence in the beginning of Powerwolf.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal and doom.  They are one of Matthew’s and Falk’s influences.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal and doom. They are one of Matthew’s and Falk’s influences.

Thin Lizzy are an super influential rock / hard rock band.  They are one of Roel’s influences.

Thin Lizzy are an super influential rock / hard rock band. They are one of Roel’s influences.

ZZ Top are hard blues rock band and one of Roel’s influences.

ZZ Top are hard blues rock band and one of Roel’s influences.

Scorpions lead the way for metal and hard rock in Germany and are one of the earliest metal bands. They are one of Matthew’s influences.

Scorpions lead the way for metal and hard rock in Germany and are one of the earliest metal bands. They are one of Matthew’s influences.

Rainbow was a legendary combination of musicians.  Matthew said they were an influence in the earliest version of Powerwolf.

Rainbow was a legendary combination of musicians. Matthew said they were an influence in the earliest version of Powerwolf.

Judas Priest are perhaps the quintessential heavy metal band.  They are an influence on Roel.

Judas Priest are perhaps the quintessential heavy metal band. They are an influence on Roel.

Kiss are one of the biggest and most recognizable hard rock bands.  They are an influence on Roel.

Kiss are one of the biggest and most recognizable hard rock bands. They are an influence on Roel.

Boney M.

Boney M. were a disco/reggae vocal group.  Roel named them as an influence.

Boney M. were a disco/reggae vocal group. Roel named them as an influence.

Ramones are the fathers of punk rock if you are not including any proto punk.  They are one of Charles’s influences.

Ramones are the fathers of punk rock if you are not including any proto punk. They are one of Charles’s influences.

Village People

Village People were super disco and super gay.  Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Village People were super disco and super gay. Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Iron Maiden come out of the NWOBHM and are one of the most influential metal bands.  They are one of Matthew’s influences and named Seventh Son of a Seventh Son as a favorite album.  They are also one of  Roel’s, Charles’s, and Falk’s influences.

Iron Maiden come out of the NWOBHM and are one of the most influential metal bands. They are one of Matthew’s influences and named Seventh Son of a Seventh Son as a favorite album. They are also one of Roel’s, Charles’s, and Falk’s influences.

Michael Schenker formed MSG after his time with UFO and Scorpions.  They are one of Matthew’s influences and he names Schenker as one of his heroes.

Michael Schenker formed MSG after his time with UFO and Scorpions. They are one of Matthew’s influences and he names Schenker as one of his heroes.

After his time with Black Sabbath, Ozzy continued to work with incredible guitar players.  Matthew named Diary of a Madman as one of his favorite albums and Randy Rhoads as one his heroes.

After his time with Black Sabbath, Ozzy continued to work with incredible guitar players. Matthew named Diary of a Madman as one of his favorite albums and Randy Rhoads as one his heroes.

Mercyful Fate are known for the unique vocals of King Diamond but also took heavy metal in a technical direction with tons of riffs and changes.  They are one of Matthew’s influences.  Falk named them as an influence on the band.

Mercyful Fate are known for the unique vocals of King Diamond but also took heavy metal in a technical direction with tons of riffs and changes. They are one of Matthew’s influences. Falk named them as an influence on the band.

Running Wild are traditional/speed/power metallers from Germany, known for their pirate themes.  They are an influence of Charles.

Running Wild are traditional/speed/power metallers from Germany, known for their pirate themes. They are an influence of Charles.

Marillion is one of the best known of what is called neo-progressive which is a post punk progressive rock.  Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Marillion is one of the best known of what is called neo-progressive which is a post punk progressive rock. Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Fates Warning are progressive metal pioneers.  Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Fates Warning are progressive metal pioneers. Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Megadeth are one of the big four of thrash formed by Thrash father Dave Mustaine after being kicked out of Metallica.  Falk named Countdown to Extinction as a favorite album.

Megadeth are one of the big four of thrash formed by Thrash father Dave Mustaine after being kicked out of Metallica. Falk named Countdown to Extinction as a favorite album.

Candlemass are has been staples of Doom.  Matthew and Falk named them as an influence.

Candlemass are has been staples of Doom. Matthew and Falk named them as an influence.

Faith No More are an important alternative rock band.  Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Faith No More are an important alternative rock band. Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Danzig went more heavy metal after his early days in The Misfits.  Roel named Danzig as an influence.

Danzig went more heavy metal after his early days in The Misfits. Roel named Danzig as an influence.

Paradise Lost are pioneers of Death/Doom and Gothic metal.  Matthew named them as an influence.

Paradise Lost are pioneers of Death/Doom and Gothic metal. Matthew named them as an influence.

Forbidden are a bay area thrash band.  Falk named them as an influence.

Forbidden are a bay area thrash band. Falk named them as an influence.

Chroming Rose were a German power metal band.  Falk named all their albums as favorites.

Chroming Rose were a German power metal band. Falk named all their albums as favorites.

Entombed are an important Swedish death metal band.  They are a big influence on Charles.

Entombed are an important Swedish death metal band. They are a big influence on Charles.

Iced Earth are heavy/power metal from the US.  Roel named them as an influence.

Iced Earth are heavy/power metal from the US. Roel named them as an influence.

Cannibal Corpse are one of the best known death metal bands.  Roel named them as an influence.

Cannibal Corpse are one of the best known death metal bands. Roel named them as an influence.

Tiamat are death/doomers and an important band for gothic metal.  They are one of Matthew’s influences.

Tiamat are death/doomers and an important band for gothic metal. They are one of Matthew’s influences.

Glen Hansard

Glen Hansard is an Irish folk/rock musician who played in The Frames as well as doing solo albums and some album with The Swell Season.  Falk named him as an influence.

Glen Hansard is an Irish folk/rock musician who played in The Frames as well as doing solo albums and some album with The Swell Season. Falk named him as an influence.

Sentenced has changed their sound over the years from death metal, to melodic death, and now gothic.  Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Sentenced has changed their sound over the years from death metal, to melodic death, and now gothic. Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Nevermore were a progressive/groove metal band.  Falk and Roel named them as an influence.

Nevermore were a progressive/groove metal band. Falk and Roel named them as an influence.

Moonspell are a prominent gothic metal band.  Matthew named them as an influence.

Moonspell are a prominent gothic metal band. Matthew named them as an influence.

Taake  is a Norwegian black metal band.  They are an influence on Roel.

Taake is a Norwegian black metal band. They are an influence on Roel.

Evergrey are a Swedish progressive metal band.  Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Evergrey are a Swedish progressive metal band. Roel named them as an influence at one time.

Matthew said he is a fan of death metal. He described Powerwolf as being heavy metal with atmosphere. For him the atmosphere comes from his more gothic influences.

I’m unsure of Atilla’s influences.

I’m unsure of Stéfane Funèbre’s influences.

Sources:

http://www.radiometal.com/article/powerwolf-retour-sur-experience,370707
https://www.powerwolf.net/band/matthew-greywolf/
https://www.powerwolf.net/band/charles-greywolf/
https://www.powerwolf.net/band/falk-maria-schlegel/
https://www.powerofmetal.dk/interviews/powerwolf.htm
https://www.powerwolf.net/band/roel-van-helden/
http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/musicians/roel_van_helden.htm