Lupus Dei

Lupus Dei, released by Metal Blade on May 7, 2007, is Powerwolf's second album. The Latin title means “the wolf of God,” and the idea that would define the band from here — binding liturgical language and werewolf folklore into a single story — steps to the front on it. The short “Lupus Daemonis” spills into “We Take It From the Living,” which lifts Falk Maria Schlegel's organ up to melody height and makes the church sound far more explicit than on the debut. “Prayer In the Dark” and “In Blood We Trust” connect a memorable chorus to a heavy riff by the shortest route available, and both remain central to the live set. “Saturday Satan” is light on its feet, “Vampires Don't Die” is fast, and “Mother Mary Is a Bird of Prey” is shaded — each song is given a clear job. The closing title track takes its time, moving from a quiet opening into a full choir. The decision that governs it — win on melody and ritual rather than on technique — was settled here and has not changed in almost twenty years. This is the record on which the debut's raw material grew into a style.