Feuerschwanz

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Feuerschwanz
Feuerschwanz at Rockharz Open Air 2019 in Ballenstedt, Germany
Feuerschwanz at Rockharz Open Air 2019 in Ballenstedt, Germany
Background information
OriginErlangen, Bavaria
GenresMedieval metal, folk metal, Power metal
Years active2004-present
MembersPeter Henrici[1]
Stephanie Pracht
Hans Platz
Benjamin Metzner
Jam Jamaszyk
Rolf Hering
Mieze Musch-Musch
Jenny Diehl
Past membersAndre Linke[2]
Tobias Heindl
Bastian Brenner
Jan Schindler
Marina Regler
Felix Fischer
Robert Gruss
Websitefeuerschwanz.de

Feuerschwanz (German for 'fire tail') is a German Medieval metal band founded in 2004 in Erlangen.

History[edit]

2003 - 2013: Formation and Early Years[edit]

Peter Henrici, a bassist for the band Merlons Lichter at the time, originally had the idea to create a comedic Medieval rock band in 2000, as he felt that the genre of medieval folk rock was taking itself too seriously.[3] He, along with Tobias Heindl, the violinist of Fiddler's Green, and Andre Linke, a fellow bassist, came together to form Feuerschwanz. Soon after, Bastian Brenner and Jan Schindler joined on the flutes and drums respectively, with Schindler later switching to the bass.[4]

On November 2005, their first studio album Prima Nocte was released. Heindl left the band soon after, and Stephanie Pracht replaced him on the violin.

In January 2007, Brenner left the group and was replaced with Marina Regler. A year later, Regler left and was replaced with Benjamin Metzner. All three had taken on the stage name "Hodenherz", with Metzner currently referred to as "Hodenherz III" or "Hodi."[1][5]

In June 2007, their second studio album Met und Miezen was released.

In 2008, guitarist Hans Platz joined the band.[6]

In April 2009, Linke left the band, leaving Henrici as the only founding member still in Feuerschwanz.[2]

On September 18, 2009, their third studio album Metvernichter was released.

On March 18, 2011, their fourth studio album Wunsch ist Wunsch was released.

On August 31, 2012, their fifth studio album Walhalligalli was released.

2014 - 2018: Tenth Anniversary and Rise in Popularity[edit]

On April 25, 2014, the band performed their tenth anniversary concert at E-Werk in Erlangen. During the performance, Henrici announced Schindler's departure and that Felix Fischer would take his place. The band was joined by musician Thomas Lindner on stage. The live concert recording was released on May 27, 2015.[7]

On September 19, 2014, their sixth studio album Auf's Leben was released.

On May 21, 2015, Feuerschwanz was removed from the list of bands performing at Fairytale Festival at Osnabrück University and replaced with Reliquiae for the festival's lineup. This was in response to planned protests by the student body against the band's appearance due to perceived misogynistic and sexist content in the setlist. In response, the band expressed their disappointment and emphasized the satirical nature of their music.[8]

On August 19, 2016, their seventh studio album Sex is Muss was released. This became one of their most popular albums to date, breaking into the Top 100 Album-Charts on the official German music charts at number 7.[9]

On August 17, 2018, their eighth studio album Methämmer was released. It reached number 6 on the official German music charts.[10]

2019 - present: Signing with Napalm Records, Memento Mori, and Fegefeuer[edit]

In June 2019, the band signed a record deal with Napalm Records.[11]

On June 26, 2020, their ninth studio album Das Elfte Gebot was released. This was the first album to also be released as a vinyl record. That same day, the band hosted an outdoor concert called 11:O:A at Abenberg Castle; however, due to COVID-19 restrictions in Germany at the time, there were no physical attendees and the concert was streamed live on Napalm Record's official YouTube channel.[12]

On June 9, 2021, Feuerschwanz announced on Facebook that longtime drummer Sir Lanzeflott (Gruss) would be leaving after sixteen years. The band had no immediate successor to replace him, and the drums would be played by various guest musicians at their upcoming concerts while they looked for a replacement.[13]

On August 14, 2021, the band Megaherz announced on Facebook the departure of their drummer Rolf Hering and revealing that he was the new drummer for Feuerschwanz.[14] Feuerschwanz officially confirmed this on September 10, 2021.

On December 30, 2021, their tenth studio album Memento Mori was released. The band's producer Simon Michael stepped in on the drums, as the position was still vacant at the time of recording.[15] The album reached number one on the official German charts on January 7, 2022.[16]

On July 21, 2023, their eleventh studio album Fegefeuer was released. On July 28, 2023, the album reached number one on the official German charts.[17]

Musical Style[edit]

The band has described their early albums as "medieval folk comedy," which were often paired with brash language, humorous lyrics, and innuendo.[18]

In 2020, after signing on with Napalm Records and ahead of the release of Das Elfte Gebot, Feuerschwanz shifted from comedic medieval folk rock towards a more serious heavy metal style.[19]

Henrici noted the disconnect between the comedic nature of their music and a German audience, especially with the band's earlier works, and said that it was "shocking" for Germans to hear humor in a song.[20]

Mieze Myu and Mieze Musch-Musch are called "Miezen" (German for 'kitties') and wear feline accessories with their costumes. They participate in live shows and music videos as performers and dancers.

Members[edit]

Current[edit]

  • Hauptmann Feuerschwanz (Henrici) – vocals, guitar (2003–present)
  • Prinz R. Hodenherz "Hodi" III (Metzner) – vocals, guitar, flute (2007–present)
  • Johanna von der Vögelweide (Pracht) – violin (2005–present)
  • Hans the Upright (Platz) – electric guitar (2008–present)
  • Rollo H. Schönhaar (Hering) – drums (2021–present)
  • Jarne Hodinsson (Jamaszyk) – bass (2018–present)
  • Mieze Myu (Diehl) – performer (2012–present)
  • Mieze Musch-Musch – performer (2006–present)

Former[edit]

  • Eysye (Linke) – bass (2003 - 2009)
  • Walther von der Vögelweide (Heindl) – violin (2003 - 2005)
  • Sir Lanzeflott (Gruss) – drums (2005 - 2021)
  • Richard Hodenherz I (Brenner) – flute, guitar (2004 - 2007)
  • Der Knappe (Schindler) – percussion, bass, vocals (2004 - 2014)[21][22]
  • Felix Taugenix (Fischer) – bass (2014 - 2018)
  • Ronja Hodenherz (Regler) – flute, guitar (2006 - 2007)

Timeline[edit]

Discography[edit]

  • Prima Nocte (2005)[23]
  • Met und Miezen (2007)
  • Metvernichter (2009)
  • Wunsch ist Wunsch (2011)
  • Walhalligalli (2012)
  • Auf's Leben! (2014)
  • Sex is Muss (2016)
  • Methämmer (2018)
  • Das Elfte Gebot (2020)
  • Memento Mori (2021)
  • Todsünden (2022)
  • Fegefeuer (2023)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Band" (in German). Feuerschwanz. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Feuerschwanz". Discogs. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Feuerschwanz". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Feuerschwanz". Metal Storm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Prinz R. Hodenherz III". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Ich" (in German). Hans Platz. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Feuerschwanz: 10 Jahre: Live (Extended Edition)" (in German). jpc. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Feuerschwanz" (in German). Facebook. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Top 100 Album Charts for 26 August, 2016" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Top 100 Album Charts for 24 August, 2018" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Napalm Records engagiert Feuerschwanz" (in German). Musik Woche. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  12. ^ "FEUERSCHWANZ - 11OA - "Das Elfte Gebot" Albumrelease Online Open Air". YouTube. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Feuerschwanz". Facebook. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Megaherz Official Page" (in German). Facebook. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  15. ^ "FEUERSCHWANZ - Live Hangout 30.09.2021" (in German). YouTube. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Top 100 Album Charts for 7 January 2022" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  17. ^ ""Top 100 Album Charts for 28 July 2023" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Feuerschwanz" (in German). laut.de. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Feuerschwanz". Napalm Records. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Feuerschwanz Interview - Hauptmann Feuerschwanz [Peter Henrici]". YouTube. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Knappe Latte". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Jan Schindler". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Discography" (in German). Feuerschwanz. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
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