Powerwolf - Return In Bloodred (2005)

While power metal is often about either historical wars, or fantasy... well, wars, German band Powerwolf brought horror into the mix, though not in a gory, death metal-type.  They're still quite dark, however, with each band member dressed up here to look evil, accompanied by their own ominous passage from Revelation in the Bible (obviously, the book of Ruth just wasn't going to cut it).
It's all an act, of course and, at this debut's best, like with "Kiss Of The Cobra King", the music is very catchy. It's not, however, very fast, almost leaning towards doom metal at times, particularly with "Lucifer in Starlight", which could have come straight out of the Black Sabbath Songbook For Boys And Girls.
Overall, Return In Bloodred, which focuses on werewolves in amongst the evil brood portrayed within, is a bit uneven, but there's plenty for the horror fan to sink their fangs into, and at a length of forty minutes, it does not outstay its welcome.

***1/2