Stormwitch

Biography

Stormwitch is a German heavy metal band from Heidenheim, formed in 1981. They have been called "The Masters of Black Romantic" by their fans. The band's song lyrics often focused on fantasy, occult or historical themes, along with their contemporaries and countrymen Helloween. Over time, they have changed their sound from a Judas Priest-esque style of heavy metal to a more keyboard-based form of power metal.

History

Stormwitch was founded in the early 1980s by childhood friends Harald Spengler (Lee Tarot), Stefan Kauffmann (Steve Merchant), and Andy Mück, writing their first songs while they searched for the final pieces of the band to play live shows, including clubs and youth centers. The first lineup was completed by Peter Langer (Pete Lancer) and Jürgen Wannenwetsch.
Their first album, Walpurgis Night×Walpurgis Night1984 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1Cave of Steenfoll4:15A2Priest of Evil4:29A3Skull and Crossbones5:37A4Werewolves on the Hunt4:32B1Walpurgis Night2:58B2Flour in the Wind4:41B3Warlord4:22B4Excalibur3:42B5Thunderland4:22, in 1984, was recorded using as little post-production as possible to remain true to the sound they were trying to achieve. They did not use multi-track recording, instead recording the album straight through. Approximately a year later, they recorded the album Tales of Terror×Tales of Terror1985 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1Point of No Return5:03A2Hell's Still Alive4:28A3Masque of the Red Death4:55A4Arabian Nights4:58B1Sword of Sagon5:27B2Trust in the Fire3:53B3Night Stalker3:42B4Lost Legions3:43B5When the Bat Bites4:04, of which the master tapes were supposed to be destroyed, only recently being re-recorded using original LP albums.
Their third album, Stronger Than Heaven×Stronger Than Heaven1986 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1Intro0:31A2Rats in the Attic3:06A3Eternia3:59A4Jonathan’s Diary7:23A5Slave to Moonlight4:02B1Stronger Than Heaven4:39B2Ravenlord3:40B3Allies of the Dark4:17B4Dorian Gray5:34, was released in 1986, followed by The Beauty and the Beast×The Beauty and the Beast1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Call of the Wicked2:562Just for One Night3:253The Beauty and the Beast4:214Emerald Eye3:415Tears by the Firelight4:026Tigers of the Sea4:067Russia’s on Fire6:038Cheyenne (Where the Eagles Retreat)5:009Welcome to Bedlam3:18 in 1987. In 1989, they released Eye of the Storm and Live in Budapest.
The band toured much of Europe during the Cold War, including Eastern European countries such as Hungary, where they were waylaid by officials and nearly missed the first gig of that particular tour. Shortly after, Harald Spengler left the band to concentrate on managing. In 1992, Stefan Kauffmann and Wolfgang Schludi (who replaced Harald Spengler) also left the band before the recordings for War of the Wizards could start. The recording lineup for War of the Wizards consisted of Andy Mück (vocals), Damir Uzunovic (guitar), Joe Gassmann (guitar), Martin Albrecht (bass), and Peter Langer (drums). After the release, Joe Gassmann had to leave the band. As a four-piece, they recorded Shogun in 1994.
After some changes in lineup once again and an eventual breakup in 1996, Andy Mück, the only member from the original lineup, and Martin Winkler, wrote the song "Dance with the Witches×Dance With the Witches5 August 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Intro: The Man of Miracles4:552Dance With the Witches3:393Jeanne d'Arc4:144The Knights of Light3:325The Devil's Bride3:006Nothing More5:357The House of Usher5:288The King of Terrors4:389Proud and Honest3:0910My World5:2611The Altar of Love6:1912Together4:26" in 2002, and with a new lineup and the help of Nuclear Blast Records, Stormwitch regrouped once more and took to the stage. Among others, they performed at Wacken Open Air in August 2002.
This new lineup also released the album Witchcraft×Witchcraft15 November 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1The Sinister Child4:172At the Break of This Day4:093Fallen From God6:024Frankenstein's Brothers4:175Until the War Will End3:266Witchcraft5:307Sleeping Beauty3:418Puppet in a Play6:059The Kiss of Death3:4010Moonfleet4:2411Salome4:0412The Drinking Song3:1513Blood Lies in My Hand5:02 in 2004 but split up shortly after. Again Andy Mück was the original member. He regrouped with first bass player Jürgen Wannenwetsch in 2005. In 2010, the lineup was completed once again with Ralf Spitznagel (guitar), Marc Scheunert (guitar), and Harry Reischmann (drums). Reischmann's departure was announced in January 2011, with Stefan Köllner being brought in to replace him on drums. On 11 April 2013, original guitarist Lee Tarot died of a stroke at the age of 50. In April 2013, guitarist Marc Scheunert left the band due to problems caused by the age gap between himself and the other members of the band.

Current

Andy Mück – vocals (1981–1994, 2002–2004, 2010–present)
Pietro Raneri – bass (2019–present)
Alex Sauer – drums (2019–present)
Jonathan "Johnny" Kröner – guitar (2019–present)
Martin Heusinger – guitar (2023–present)

Former

Guitar

Steve Merchant (1981–1989)
Lee Tarot (1981–1989; died 2013)
Damir Uzunovic (1990–1994)
Joe Gassmann (1990–1992)
Robert Balci (1992–1994)
Martin Winkler (2002–2004; died 2019)
Fabian Schwarz (2002–2004)
Marc Scheunert (2010–2013)
Volker Schmietow (2013–2019)
Tobias Kipp (2016–2019)
Nick Berger (2019–2020)
Bass

Ronny Pearson (1983–1987)
Andy Hunter (1987–1989)
Martin Albrecht (1990–1994)
Dominik Schwarz (2002–2004)
Jürgen Wannenwetsch (1981–1983, 2010–2019)
Drums

Peter Lancer (1981–1994, 2012–2014)
Michael Blechinger (2004–2005)
Harry Reischmann (2010–2011)
Micha Kasper (2014–2015)
Marc Oppold (2002–2004, 2016–2019)