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Warlock (band)

From Alfawiki
Warlock
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1982 in Düsseldorf, West Germany
FounderDoro Pesch, Michael Bastian, Frank Rittel, Thomas Franke
Headquarters
Düsseldorf
,
Germany
ProductsHeavy metal music

Warlock was a heavy metal group from Germany, established in 1982 in Düsseldorf by musicians previously involved in the underground acts Snakebite and Beast. The band achieved commercial recognition across Europe during the mid-1980s, largely propelled by lead singer Doro Pesch. Throughout their career, Warlock shared stages with prominent heavy metal artists such as W.A.S.P., Judas Priest, Dio, and Megadeth.

By the end of the 1980s, Doro Pesch remained the sole founding member, prompting a rebranding of the band to Doro due to legal complications. The current band Doro still includes several Warlock tracks in their live performances.

Since 2003, the group has reunited under the name Warlock 1986 to perform at festivals and special occasions.

Origins and initial contract

Warlock evolved from the band Snakebite, which was formed in Düsseldorf, West Germany in 1980. The lineup featured Doro Pesch on vocals, Michael Bastian playing guitar, Frank Rittel handling bass duties, and Thomas Franke on drums. Following personnel changes—including Michael Eurich replacing Franke on drums and the addition of Peter Szigeti from Beast—the members established Warlock in October 1982 with Thomas Studier on bass and guitarist Rudy Graf, who chose the band's name and contributed significantly to songwriting. Under the management of Peter Zimmermann, Warlock cultivated a strong presence within the local underground metal scene by supporting German hard rock group Trance at various shows.

After producing a four-song demo that was distributed to record labels and magazines, Warlock secured a deal with the Belgian independent label Mausoleum Records. Prior to recording their debut album Burning the Witches in 1984, Frank Rittel returned on bass. The album was produced by Axel Thubeauville, a respected figure in German heavy metal talent scouting. Recorded over six days and later remixed by Rainer Assmann and Henry Staroste, the album received critical praise.

Burning the Witches facilitated Warlock's initial international tours, frequently performing alongside labelmates Steeler. However, limited distribution channels and insufficient touring support from Mausoleum Records restricted its commercial success, leading to dissatisfaction with their label arrangement.

Hellbound and True as Steel

In early 1985, Warlock signed with major label Phonogram and recorded their second studio album Hellbound, produced by Henry Staroste and released that May through Vertigo Records in Europe. The band attracted media exposure via appearances on television programs in both the UK and Germany. Their first extensive European tour included a notable show at London's Camden Palace Theater, which was filmed for their inaugural video release Metal Racer. The live performance earned enthusiastic reviews from Kerrang!, with readers selecting Warlock as 'Best New Band' of 1985. Additionally, Doro Pesch was voted Best Female Singer by Metal Forces readers in 1984. The group also performed at Germany's Metal Hammer Festival alongside distinguished acts such as Metallica, Venom, and Nazareth.

Following the Hellbound tour, guitarist Rudy Graf departed and was succeeded by Niko Arvanitis, who had previously played with bassist Rittel in Stormwind.

This lineup recorded True as Steel during May and June 1986, again produced by Staroste and mixed in the United States by Michael Wagener. Although reviews were mixed, this album became Warlock's highest-charting release in Germany, peaking at number 18. It also gained US radio airplay through the single "Fight for Rock," which received its first music video broadcast on MTV.

On 16 August 1986, Doro Pesch made history as the first female frontwoman at the renowned Monsters of Rock festival held at Castle Donington, performing alongside bands like Motörhead, Def Leppard, and Scorpions. Warlock also opened the Monsters of Rock event in Mannheim, West Germany, sharing billing with groups including Bon Jovi and McAuley Schenker Group. The 1986–87 touring cycle featured UK dates supporting W.A.S.P. as well as European shows supporting legendary metal act Judas Priest, further enhancing their visibility in major markets.

Global Recognition and Renaming

Following the True as Steel tour, Doro Pesch traveled to the United States with new manager Alex Grob to promote the band and organize American tours and recording sessions. Szigeti and Rittel opted not to relocate to the US, leading to their departure. They were succeeded by American musicians Tommy Bolan, formerly of Armed Forces, and Tommy Henriksen. With this refreshed lineup, Warlock produced their fourth and final studio album, Triumph and Agony, released in 1987 and produced by Joey Balin. This album became Warlock's most successful release, earning Gold certification in Germany and peaking at number 80 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Music videos for the singles "All We Are" and "Für Immer" were featured regularly on MTV’s metal-focused show Headbangers' Ball.

Warlock toured Europe supporting Dio, then launched their first extensive US tour as opening act for Megadeth, alongside Sanctuary. They also headlined several concerts with support from bands such as Fates Warning, Sword, and Lillian Axe. Following this tour, Eurich and Arvanitis exited the band and were replaced by drummer Bobby Rondinelli (formerly of Rainbow) and guitarist Jon Levin.

By late 1988, Doro Pesch stood as the sole original member remaining in the group and the only German national. Former manager Peter Zimmermann initiated legal action over ownership of the Warlock name and merchandise rights, ultimately prevailing in court. In response to record label pressures, Pesch agreed to rename the band as DORO to continue her musical career. The album Force Majeure, recorded with Warlock’s final lineup, was the last release to carry a Warlock sticker alongside DORO’s branding, aside from the 1991 compilation Rare Diamonds. After extended legal disputes, Pesch regained control over the Warlock name in 2011. The band DORO remains active today, frequently including Warlock tracks in their live performances.

Subsequent Endeavors

After his departure from Warlock, Rudy Graf joined German speed metal outfit Rage in 1986, contributing to their album Execution Guaranteed. He currently works as a studio musician and songwriter.

Frank Rittel, Peter Szigeti, along with former Snakebite drummer Thomas Franke, participated in Animal House, the 1987 solo release by ex-Accept vocalist Udo Dirkschneider. In the 1990s, Rittel and Szigeti went on to form melodic metal groups Energy and Coracko, though these projects achieved only modest recognition.

Michael Eurich co-founded the band Casanova with vocalist Michael Voss during the late 1980s.

Doro Pesch reunited with Szigeti, Arvanitis, Rittel, and Eurich for special performances under the Warlock name at her 20th Anniversary concert in Düsseldorf in December 2003 and at Wacken Open Air in 2004. Due to ongoing legal complications involving Rudy Graf over use of the Warlock name, subsequent shows were promoted as "Warlock 1986." Frank Rittel retired from professional music in 2004.

In April 2005, Arvanitis and Szigeti appeared together at the 'Rock Classic Allstars' event held in Bochum, Germany, sharing the stage with artists such as Axel Rudi Pell and Martin Kesici.

December 2008 saw the release of Tribute to Steel by Pure Steel Records, marking the first official tribute album dedicated to Warlock; it featured guest appearances by several former band members.

Since 2011, Tommy Henriksen has been a member of Alice Cooper's solo ensemble and joined the supergroup Hollywood Vampires in 2012 alongside Cooper, Joe Perry, and Johnny Depp.

Music and Style

During the 1980s, Warlock stood out as one of the rare heavy metal bands led by a female vocalist in a predominantly male-driven genre. The band's public image and promotional efforts heavily relied on Doro Pesch due to her unique vocal tone and commanding stage presence.

Warlock's sound is chiefly identified as heavy metal, drawing inspiration from 1970s metal pioneers like Judas Priest, Scorpions, Accept, and the new wave of British heavy metal. Their musical direction progressed from the classic heavy metal style featured on Burning the Witches to the more aggressive and darker tones of Hellbound, which incorporated aspects of power metal such as brisk rhythms, powerful choruses, and lyrics centered around fantasy themes. The album True as Steel represented a transition towards a more mainstream sound, abandoning the earlier fantasy and occult motifs. With Triumph and Agony, Warlock achieved a blend of their initial style with a melodic, radio-friendly approach influenced by American production techniques.

Throughout their discography, power ballads remained a staple, contributing significantly to their commercial success.

Lineups

1982–1983

  • Doro Pesch – lead vocals
  • Peter Szigeti – guitar
  • Rudy Graf – guitar
  • Thomas Studier – bass guitar
  • Michael Eurich – drums

1983–1985

  • Doro Pesch – lead vocals
  • Peter Szigeti – guitar
  • Rudy Graf – guitar
  • Frank Rittel – bass guitar
  • Michael Eurich – drums

1985–1987

  • Doro Pesch – lead vocals
  • Peter Szigeti – guitar
  • Niko Arvanitis – guitar
  • Frank Rittel – bass guitar
  • Michael Eurich – drums

1987–1988

  • Doro Pesch – lead vocals
  • Niko Arvanitis – guitar
  • Tommy Bolan – guitar
  • Tommy Henriksen – bass guitar
  • Michael Eurich – drums

1988–1989

Discography

External links

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