Midnight Mysteries With PETE 9 And FERATU From WOLFSKULL

Interview by Kris PetersGerman dark heavy rock force WOLFSKULL will drop their new album Midnite Masters on July 25.Midnite Masters will see the band put a bold exclamation mark on their history and simultaneously ignite a new level: ten songs brimming with enthusiasm, power, and catchy melodies, while exuding the raw charm of classic heavy rock. Founded in April 2018 by guitarist and mastermind Feratu, WOLFSKULL immediately garnered attention in the scene with their debut EP, Hexum. The subsequent debut album, Ave Goddess, hit like a thunderclap in December 2022, leading to the band being awarded Album Of The Month in Metal Hammer and Guitar Magazine.In 2025, WOLFSKULL returns louder, detached, and with even more drive. With the arrival of new second guitarist Mike Nero at the beginning of 2024, a noticeable breath of fresh air came into the band, which was directly reflected in the new material. In September 2024, the ten new tracks were recorded at Soundlodge Studio under the direction of Jörg Uken (Anvil, Suicide Angels, Dew Scented, Temple of Dread). Now, with the album on the cusp of release, HEAVY chats with vocalist Pete 9 and guitarist Feratu to dig deeper."I think this time around we were more keen on having a dusty rock and roll record with more up-tempo songs than Ave Goddess," Pete replied when we pressed him on the musical nature of the album. "But there's still a hint of melancholy here and there, but it's mostly a straight rock and roll record.""I think we wanted to have more straightforward songs," Feratu added. "A little bit more rock songs that are not so mellow. But we wanted to have more dust; more rock, more kick-ass, and I think - without losing the typical trademarks of Wolfskull - I think you can find them in any song. That was the direction we wanted to go, and I think we have an album that is working each song with another."In the full interview, the band shared their positive recording experiences and emphasized that the singles released thus far effectively represent the album's overall sound. They also explained the album's artwork, highlighting its strong female imagery as a tribute to female empowerment in rock music.Feratu discussed the influence of the German music scene in 2018 on their formation, particularly noting their metal and punk roots, and reminisced about their earlier band, The Spook. We talked about the time between recording an album and releasing it and how that affects different bands in different ways, new guitarist Mike Nero and what he brings to Wolfskull, touring plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.