Warlock (band)
Encyclopedia
Warlock was a German
heavy metal
band, assembled in 1982. The band gained some commercial success in the mid 1980s. By the end of the decade, singer Doro Pesch
was the sole original member who remained in the band, and thus proceeded to form Doro
, a band that was essentially a continuation of Warlock under a different name. Doro, the band, has several classic songs from Warlock in its repertoire.
. Their style was more traditional in the beginning of the 1980s, as heard on the Burning the Witches
album. They soon moved to a hard rock
and Power Metal
style, starting with Hellbound
. The band's influences are 1970s hard rock and heavy metal acts such as Judas Priest
and Black Sabbath
, N.W.O.B.H.M., as well as fellow German metal bands such as Scorpions
and Accept. Other bands that had a similar sound include Keel
, Judas Priest
, Lizzy Borden
.
. The band spent most of the rest of that year and 1983 performing in different German clubs, building a steady fan base. After recording a demo, Mausoleum Demo, and sending it to several record label
s, the band obtained a contract with independent Belgian
label Mausoleum
.
The first line-up, which consisted of Doro Pesch
on vocals, Peter Szigeti and Rudy Graf on guitars, Frank Rittel on bass, and Michael Eurich on drums, recorded the band's first two albums: Burning the Witches
in 1984 and Hellbound
in 1985. They toured in Europe
to promote the releases. In early 1985, the band signed a contract with label Phonogram
.
Later that year, in the middle of the tour for Hellbound, Rudy Graf left the band and was replaced by Niko Arvanitis, formerly of Stormwind.
Warlock's third album, True As Steel
, released in 1986, got a fair amount of North America
n radio airplay due to the hit single "Fight For Rock". The band's first music video
was made for this song and appeared on MTV
. In August that year, Warlock opened for the Monsters of Rock
festival at the Maimarktgelände in Mannheim
, West Germany
, where Scorpions
were headlining the all day concert. Def Leppard
, Ozzy
, MSG
and Bon Jovi
were also in the roster.
After the tour for True As Steel ended, Frank Rittel and Peter Szigeti left the band and were replaced by Tommy Bolan, (formerly of Armed Forces), and Tommy Henriksen
. Rittel an Szigeti reappeared in 1987 on Animal House
, the first solo album of Udo Dirkschneider
. With the new line-up, Warlock released their fourth and last album, Triumph And Agony
, in 1987. The video for the single "All We Are" enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV's "Headbangers' Ball".
The band proceeded to make its first and sole extensive US
tour, opening for Megadeth
alongside Sanctuary
, and playing several shows on their own with different opening acts, such as Fates Warning
, Sword
and Lillian Axe
.
Michael Eurich and Niko Arvanitis left Warlock in December 1987, and were replaced by Bobby Rondinelli
(formerly of Rainbow
) and Jon Levin
(mislabeled as "Jon Devin" in Doro's Force Majeure
liner notes). Doro Pesch was now the only original member still in the band. At this time, the band's ex-manager sued for rights to the band name, and won. Doro continued to fight for her band name, but conceded with record label requests to rename the band Doro
. Currently, Doro is active and still performs Warlock material. Around 2004 Doro reunited with some original Warlock members for a festival appearances; unfortunately, legal troubles over using the band named ensued.
In December 2008 Pure Steel Records
released the first official tribute to Warlock and Doro
With the special appearance of the band members.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band, assembled in 1982. The band gained some commercial success in the mid 1980s. By the end of the decade, singer Doro Pesch
Doro (musician)
Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
was the sole original member who remained in the band, and thus proceeded to form Doro
Doro (musician)
Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
, a band that was essentially a continuation of Warlock under a different name. Doro, the band, has several classic songs from Warlock in its repertoire.
Musical style
Warlock's music is always primarily described as heavy metalHeavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
. Their style was more traditional in the beginning of the 1980s, as heard on the Burning the Witches
Burning the Witches
Burning the Witches is the self-produced debut album by German heavy metal band, Warlock. It was originally released by Mausoleum Records, but was re-released by Vertigo Records, which went on to release all future Warlock albums.- Track listing :...
album. They soon moved to a hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
and Power Metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
style, starting with Hellbound
Hellbound (Warlock album)
Hellbound is the second album by German Heavy Metal band Warlock, released in 1985.-Track listing:#"Hellbound" – 3:42...
. The band's influences are 1970s hard rock and heavy metal acts such as Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
and Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, N.W.O.B.H.M., as well as fellow German metal bands such as Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
and Accept. Other bands that had a similar sound include Keel
Keel (band)
Keel is an American heavy metal band founded in 1984 in Los Angeles, California. They were known for their rock anthem "The Right to Rock." The band was active until 1989, with a brief reunion in 1998. Keel reunited in 2008 and is currently touring for their 25th anniversary.-History:Keel was...
, Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
, Lizzy Borden
Lizzy Borden (band)
Lizzy Borden is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. Lizzy Borden is also the name of the band's lead vocalist.-History:Lizzy Borden specializes in the shock rock style originated by artists such as Alice Cooper and Kiss...
.
History
Warlock was formed in late 1982 in DüsseldorfDüsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
. The band spent most of the rest of that year and 1983 performing in different German clubs, building a steady fan base. After recording a demo, Mausoleum Demo, and sending it to several record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
s, the band obtained a contract with independent Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
label Mausoleum
Mausoleum Records
Mausoleum Records is a Belgian-based heavy metal label headed by Alfie Falckenbach, once considered by Billboard as "one of Europe's premier hard rock labels".-Recording artists:-External links:* * at Spirit of Metal...
.
The first line-up, which consisted of Doro Pesch
Doro (musician)
Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
on vocals, Peter Szigeti and Rudy Graf on guitars, Frank Rittel on bass, and Michael Eurich on drums, recorded the band's first two albums: Burning the Witches
Burning the Witches
Burning the Witches is the self-produced debut album by German heavy metal band, Warlock. It was originally released by Mausoleum Records, but was re-released by Vertigo Records, which went on to release all future Warlock albums.- Track listing :...
in 1984 and Hellbound
Hellbound (Warlock album)
Hellbound is the second album by German Heavy Metal band Warlock, released in 1985.-Track listing:#"Hellbound" – 3:42...
in 1985. They toured in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
to promote the releases. In early 1985, the band signed a contract with label Phonogram
Phonogram Records
Phonogram Records was started in 1962 as a joint venture between Philips Records and Deutsche Grammophon. In 1972, Phonogram was merged with Polydor Records into PolyGram....
.
Later that year, in the middle of the tour for Hellbound, Rudy Graf left the band and was replaced by Niko Arvanitis, formerly of Stormwind.
Warlock's third album, True As Steel
True As Steel (album)
True as Steel is the third album by German heavy metal band Warlock, released in 1986.This album has their first success outside of Europe, the single "Fight for Rock" charted on Billboard, and the music video for this song was aired on MTV's Headbangers Ball.-Track listing:#"Mr...
, released in 1986, got a fair amount of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n radio airplay due to the hit single "Fight For Rock". The band's first music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was made for this song and appeared on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. In August that year, Warlock opened for the Monsters of Rock
Monsters of Rock
Monsters of Rock was an annual music festival held in England, then moved in other locations like The Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile.The Last show was in 2008....
festival at the Maimarktgelände in Mannheim
Mannheim
Mannheim is a city in southwestern Germany. With about 315,000 inhabitants, Mannheim is the second-largest city in the Bundesland of Baden-Württemberg, following the capital city of Stuttgart....
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, where Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
were headlining the all day concert. Def Leppard
Def Leppard
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell...
, Ozzy
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, MSG
Michael Schenker Group
The Michael Schenker Group is a guitar-oriented hard rock band formed in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist, Michael Schenker. In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1992. After that, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.The...
and Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
were also in the roster.
After the tour for True As Steel ended, Frank Rittel and Peter Szigeti left the band and were replaced by Tommy Bolan, (formerly of Armed Forces), and Tommy Henriksen
Tommy Henriksen
Tommy Henriksen is an American singer-songwriter from Port Jefferson, New York.Henriksen first moved to Los Angeles to start his music career in 1991. He did tech work for Alice Cooper before beginning performance work with Keith Forsey on a full-length solo album...
. Rittel an Szigeti reappeared in 1987 on Animal House
Animal House (U.D.O. album)
Animal House is the 1987 debut album from U.D.O. after Udo Dirkschneider's departure from Accept. It was recorded August-October 1987 at Dierks Studios, Cologne.The performance of the song "Lay Down the Law" is credited to Accept and U.D.O.....
, the first solo album of Udo Dirkschneider
Udo Dirkschneider
Udo Dirkschneider is a German heavy metal singer who is best known as the vocalist in German heavy metal band Accept and later U.D.O.After leaving Accept in 1987, Dirkschneider formed the band U.D.O....
. With the new line-up, Warlock released their fourth and last album, Triumph And Agony
Triumph and Agony
Triumph and Agony is the fourth album by German heavy metal band Warlock, released on 5 September 1987.The album was the follow-up to the 1986 band's first successful album out of Europe, True as Steel....
, in 1987. The video for the single "All We Are" enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV's "Headbangers' Ball".
The band proceeded to make its first and sole extensive US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
tour, opening for Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
alongside Sanctuary
Sanctuary (band)
Sanctuary is an American heavy metal band founded in Seattle in 1985. The band consisted of Warrel Dane , Lenny Rutledge , Sean Blosl, Jim Sheppard , Dave Budbill , and in the end Jeff Loomis.-History:...
, and playing several shows on their own with different opening acts, such as Fates Warning
Fates Warning
Fates Warning is an American progressive metal band, formed in 1982 by vocalist John Arch, guitarists Jim Matheos and Victor Arduini, bassist Joe DiBiase, and drummer Steve Zimmerman in Hartford, Connecticut. Fates Warning has experienced numerous line-up changes...
, Sword
Sword (band)
Sword is a Canadian heavy metal band that was active in the 1980s and just announced a reunion for 2011.-History:In the early 80's, south of Montréal in Saint Bruno, Quebec, Rick and Dan Hughes formed a heavy metal band called Sword. They were joined by guitarist Mike Plant and bassist Mike...
and Lillian Axe
Lillian Axe
Lillian Axe is a hard rock band from New Orleans who write and perform music from acoustic ballads to full out heavy metal anthems. Four studio recordings were released before they disbanded in 1995...
.
Michael Eurich and Niko Arvanitis left Warlock in December 1987, and were replaced by Bobby Rondinelli
Bobby Rondinelli
Bobby Rondinelli is a rock drummer best known for his work with the hard rock/heavy metal bands like Blue Öyster Cult, Rainbow, Quiet Riot, Black Sabbath, The Lizards, and Rondinelli.-Background:...
(formerly of Rainbow
Rainbow (band)
Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
) and Jon Levin
Jon Levin
Jon Levin is the current guitarist for the American heavy metal band Dokken.-Early years:Jon Levin was involved with music very early on in life. He began playing piano at age 4, trumpet by age 7, and guitar at age 9...
(mislabeled as "Jon Devin" in Doro's Force Majeure
Force Majeure (Doro album)
Force Majeure is the first solo album of the German female hard rock singer Doro Pesch. The album was released in February 1989.-Overview:...
liner notes). Doro Pesch was now the only original member still in the band. At this time, the band's ex-manager sued for rights to the band name, and won. Doro continued to fight for her band name, but conceded with record label requests to rename the band Doro
Doro (musician)
Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
. Currently, Doro is active and still performs Warlock material. Around 2004 Doro reunited with some original Warlock members for a festival appearances; unfortunately, legal troubles over using the band named ensued.
In December 2008 Pure Steel Records
Pure Steel Records
Pure Steel Records is a record label based on Germany, focused on heavy metal music. Pure Steel produces CDs and LPs.Founded by Kay Anders and Andreas Lorenz in 2006, the main interest of Pure Steel is to spread the true and independent heavy metal sound inspired by the glorious 80s...
released the first official tribute to Warlock and Doro
Doro (musician)
Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
With the special appearance of the band members.
Discography
- Burning the WitchesBurning the WitchesBurning the Witches is the self-produced debut album by German heavy metal band, Warlock. It was originally released by Mausoleum Records, but was re-released by Vertigo Records, which went on to release all future Warlock albums.- Track listing :...
(1984) - HellboundHellbound (Warlock album)Hellbound is the second album by German Heavy Metal band Warlock, released in 1985.-Track listing:#"Hellbound" – 3:42...
(1985) - True As SteelTrue As Steel (album)True as Steel is the third album by German heavy metal band Warlock, released in 1986.This album has their first success outside of Europe, the single "Fight for Rock" charted on Billboard, and the music video for this song was aired on MTV's Headbangers Ball.-Track listing:#"Mr...
(1986) - Triumph And AgonyTriumph and AgonyTriumph and Agony is the fourth album by German heavy metal band Warlock, released on 5 September 1987.The album was the follow-up to the 1986 band's first successful album out of Europe, True as Steel....
(1987)
1983-1985
- Doro PeschDoro (musician)Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
- Vocals - Peter Szigeti - Guitar
- Rudy Graf - Guitar
- Frank Rittel - Bass
- Michael Eurich - Drums
1987-1988
- Doro PeschDoro (musician)Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
- Vocals - Niko Arvanitis - Guitar
- Tommy Bolan - Guitar
- Tommy HenriksenTommy HenriksenTommy Henriksen is an American singer-songwriter from Port Jefferson, New York.Henriksen first moved to Los Angeles to start his music career in 1991. He did tech work for Alice Cooper before beginning performance work with Keith Forsey on a full-length solo album...
- Bass - Michael Eurich - Drums
External links
- Official Doro Pesch Web Site
- Official Doro Pesch Biography (Also includes Warlock information)