Warlock (band)

The first nucleus of the band was formed under the name Snakebite in Düsseldorf, West Germany in 1980,{{cite web | url = http://www.hardharderheavy.de/band_biografie/bands_doro.shtml | title = Band: Doro | access-date = 17 July 2012 | date = 2 September 2007 | publisher = HardHarderHeavy.de | language = de}} and was composed of Doro Pesch on vocals, Michael Bastian on guitar, Frank Rittel on bass and Thomas Franke on drums, the latter coming from the band Stallion.{{cite journal | title = Warlock: the story so far | journal = International Warlock Fan Club Info Magazine | year = 1984 | issue = 1| url = http://demolishmag.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/warlock-the-story-so-far-1984/ | access-date = 10 February 2014}} Franke was soon replaced by Michael Eurich and, just before disbanding, Snakebite acquired the left-handed Peter Szigeti as second guitarist from Beast. Snakebite and Beast were two of the many bands playing in the local clubs and bars and recording cheap demos to promote their music. Pesch, Szigeti and Eurich did try-outs with other groups, but in October 1982 went on to form a new band with Thomas Studier on bass and guitarist Rudy Graf, who came up with the name Warlock and a bucket full of songs. The new band found a manager in Peter Zimmermann, who arranged gigs in support of German hard rockers Trance, contributing to build a solid reputation for Warlock in the local underground metal scene.

After recording a four-track demo and sending it to several record labels and music magazines,{{cite web | url = http://www.metalkings.com/reviews/axel-thubeauville/axel-thubeauville-eng.htm | title = Interviews: Axel Thubeauville | access-date = 26 June 2012 | date = December 2002 | publisher = MetalKings.com}} the band obtained a contract with the Belgian independent label Mausoleum Records. Frank Rittel joined Warlock on bass before they started recording their debut album Burning the Witches in 1984, with producer Axel Thubeauville, a talent scout of German heavy metal groups.{{cite web |url=http://www.music-avenue.net/mausoleum/story03.php |title=Mausoleum: The story behind the legendary heavy metal label. Part I (1982-1986) |last=Falckenbach |first=Alfie |publisher=Music-Avenue.net |date=March 2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117072645/http://www.music-avenue.net/mausoleum/story03.php |archive-date=17 January 2011 |access-date=22 March 2015 }} Burning the Witches was recorded in only six days and remixed by Rainer Assmann and Henry Staroste before publication.

The album was well received by critics{{cite book | last1 = Suter | first1 = Paul | title = Kerrang! | chapter = Warlock 'Burning the Witches' | volume = 65 | publisher = Spotlight Publications Ltd. | date = 5 April 1984 | location = London, UK | pages = 14}}{{cite journal | title = Warlock - Burning the Witches | journal = Metal Forces | year = 1984 | first = Bernard | last = Doe | issue = 3| url = http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/album-review-warlock-burning-the-witches/ | access-date = 29 June 2012}} and fans and Warlock toured for the first time outside of Germany to launch their first release,{{cite book | last1 = Crook | first1 = Darren | title = Kerrang! | chapter = Earthquake Festival '84 | volume = 67 | publisher = Spotlight Publications Ltd. | date = 3 May 1984 | location = London, UK | pages = 41}} often alongside their label mates Steeler.{{cite journal|title=Warlock interview |journal=Metal Forces |year=1985 |first=Dave |last=Reynolds |issue=14 |access-date=29 August 2012 |url=http://www.dororocks.com/Forces.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030411022951/http://www.dororocks.com/Forces.htm |archive-date=11 April 2003 }} Unfortunately, bad distribution and poor financing for the tour from the record label crippled the commercial potential of the album, leaving the band profoundly dissatisfied with Mausoleum.{{cite book | last1 = Oliver | first1 = Derek | title = Kerrang! | chapter = Witch Queen | volume = 98 | publisher = Morgan Grampian | date = 11 July 1985 | location = London, UK}}

In early 1985, the band signed a contract with the major label Phonogram and recorded their second album Hellbound, produced by Henry Staroste and released in May 1985 on Vertigo Records in Europe. The band started to receive attention from the media and appeared in TV shows in the UK{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOGUWaeAraQ | title = Warlock - Live ECT 1985 | access-date = 9 July 2012 | date = 2 August 2007 | publisher = YouTube}} and Germany.{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFKA2J0rjC8 | title = Warlock - Out of control ( rare german tv footage ) - 1980s | access-date = 9 July 2012 | date = 3 September 2010 | publisher = YouTube}} Their first full European tour brought them to Camden Palace Theater in London, where the concert was filmed for Warlock's first video release Metal Racer.{{cite web | url = http://www.doroclan.de/DoroPesch/Neu/seite03usp.htm | title = Doro Pesch Biography | access-date = 30 June 2012 | last = Cannella | first = Tony | publisher = Doro Official Website | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120717021832/http://www.doroclan.de/DoroPesch/Neu/seite03usp.htm | archive-date = 17 July 2012 | df = dmy-all }} Warlock's live performance was welcomed with a rave review by the British magazine Kerrang!{{cite book | last1 = Oliver | first1 = Derek | title = Kerrang! | chapter = Sizzling! | volume = 105 | publisher = Morgan Grampian | date = 17 October 1985 | location = London, UK | pages = 50}} and the group was elected 'Best New Band' of 1985 in the Readers' Poll of that magazine.{{cite book | last1 = Dome | first1 = Malcolm | author-link1 = Malcolm Dome |title = Mega Metal Kerrang! | chapter = Warlock | volume = 1 | publisher = Spotlight Publications Ltd | year = 1986 | location = London, UK | pages = 2}} Doro Pesch was also elected Best Female Singer by the readers of the music magazine Metal Forces at the end of 1984. The band played at the Metal Hammer Festival at Loreley, Germany in September, alongside Metallica, Venom, Running Wild, Pretty Maids, Nazareth and Wishbone Ash.{{cite web | url = http://www1.sk-static.com/images/media/img/col6/20100813-023318-518437.jpg | title = Metal Hammer Festival 1985 | access-date = 26 June 2012 | format = JPG | publisher = Songkick.com}}

Later that year, after the tour for Hellbound, guitarist Rudy Graf left the band and was replaced by Niko Arvanitis,{{cite book | last1 = Simmons | first1 = Sylvie | author-link1=Sylvie Simmons|title = Mega Metal Kerrang! | chapter = 'Lock Jaw | volume = 4 | publisher = Spotlight Publications Ltd | year = 1986 | location = London, UK | pages = 8–11}} a former bandmate of Rittel in Stormwind.{{cite encyclopedia | url = http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Stormwind/1856 | title = Stormwind | access-date = 26 June 2012 | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Metallum}}

This updated line-up recorded the album True as Steel in May–June 1986, produced again by Henry Staroste and mixed in the US by Michael Wagener.{{cite magazine | last1 = Oliver | first1 = Derek | magazine = Kerrang! | title = Siren of Steel | volume = 126 | date = 7 August 1986 | location = London, UK | pages = 52–53}} The album received mixed reviews, but was Warlock's highest-charting in Germany, climbing up to No. 18,{{cite web | url = http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=warlock&x=6&y=7&country=de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112910/http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=warlock&x=6&y=7&country=de | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2 April 2015 | title = Suche nach "warlock" | access-date = 27 June 2012 | work = Charts.de | publisher = Media Control Charts | language = de}} and got a fair amount of radio airplay in the US, due to the single "Fight for Rock". The band's first music video was made for that song and appeared on MTV.{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilFX-JJXYAQ | title = Warlock - Fight for Rock | access-date = 1 July 2012 | date = 14 January 2010 | publisher = YouTube}}{{cite AV media notes |title=True as Steel |title-link=True as Steel (album) |others=Warlock |year=2011 | page=2 |type=CD Booklet |publisher=Metal Mind Productions MASS CD 1417 DG | location=Katowice, Poland }}

On 16 August 1986, Doro Pesch was the first woman to front a band at the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington, England, where Warlock played on the same stage of Motörhead, Def Leppard, Ozzy Osbourne and Scorpions.{{cite web | url = http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/donington-1986.html | title = Monsters of Rock. Castle Donington 1986 | access-date = 26 June 2012 | date = January 2012 | publisher = UK Rock Festivals.com}} Warlock also opened the Monsters of Rock festival at the Maimarktgelände Eisstadion in Mannheim, West Germany, with a line-up similar to the British show and the addition of McAuley Schenker Group and Bon Jovi.{{cite web | url = http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v365/InsideAceJr/DL2/mor.jpg | title = Monsters of Rock 1986 | access-date = 21 January 2013 | format = JPG | publisher = TurnToDust86}} 1986 and 1987 were spent on a tour which included UK dates supporting W.A.S.P.,{{cite web | url = http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united+states/california/los+angeles/w+a+s+p+ | title = W.A.S.P. | access-date = 2 July 2012 | last = Sharpe-Young | first = Garry | year = 2009 | publisher = MusicMight | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121001084812/http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united+states/california/los+angeles/w+a+s+p+ | archive-date = 1 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }} and European dates supporting metal superstars Judas Priest, during their 'Fuel for Life' tour.

After the tour for True as Steel, Pesch spent time in the US with new manager Alex Grob to promote the band and arrange tours and recordings in America.{{cite journal|title=Warlock - I Do It My Way |journal=Metal Hammer |date=November 1987 |url=http://www.dororocks.com/Myway.htm |access-date=29 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021230194542/http://www.dororocks.com/Myway.htm |archive-date=30 December 2002 }} At the same time, Szigeti and Rittel decided to leave the band, apparently unwilling to face the commitment that a transfer to the United States would involve.{{cite AV media | year =1987 | title =Warlock 1987 Interview | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7JELAz1Fyo | medium =Television production | publisher =BSkyB | location =UK | access-date =9 July 2012 | time =0:30}} They were promptly replaced by the American musicians Tommy Bolan (formerly of Armed Forces), and Tommy Henriksen. With the new line-up, Warlock recorded in the US their fourth and last studio album, Triumph and Agony, produced by Joey Balin in 1987. Triumph and Agony was Warlock's best-selling album, going Gold in Germany{{cite web | url = http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/#topSearch | title = Gold-/Platin-Datenbank: search for Warlock | access-date = 26 June 2012 | publisher = IFPI.de | language = de}} and reaching number 80 in the Billboard 200 US album chart.{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/warlock-mn0000234355/awards | title = Warlock Billboard Albums | access-date = 26 June 2012 | work = Allmusic | publisher = Rovi Corporation}} The videos for the singles "All We Are"{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4KPpyW2q5c | title = Warlock - All We Are | access-date = 1 July 2012 | date = 17 October 2009 | publisher = YouTube}} and "Für Immer",{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm3_L5ST77c | title = Warlock - Für Immer | access-date = 1 July 2012 | date = 1 April 2012 | publisher = YouTube}} shot respectively in the Los Angeles river basin and in the swamps of Baton Rouge,{{cite web | url = http://www.rocktimes.de/gesamt/d/doro/interview06.html | title = Wir haben im Paradies gelebt, und haben es nicht gemerkt | access-date = 3 September 2012 | last = Gröbbels | first = Udo | date = 7 November 2006 | publisher = Rocktimes.de | language = de}} were on rotation on MTV's heavy metal program Headbangers' Ball.

File:Doro pesch hh 02.jpg, Warlock's lead singer]]

Warlock toured Europe as support band for Dio{{cite web | url = http://www.dio.net/tour/dream_evil.html | title = Dio: Dream Evil tour dates | access-date = 30 June 2012 | publisher = Dio.net}} and, after that, proceeded to make their first and sole extensive US tour, opening for Megadeth alongside Sanctuary. They played also several shows on their own with different opening acts, such as Fates Warning, Sword and Lillian Axe.{{cite web | url = http://www.chmetal.info/bootlegs/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1161&Itemid= | title = Warlock Tour Dates 1988 | access-date = 30 June 2012 | publisher = CHMetal.info}} Eurich and Arvanitis quit after the tour and were replaced by Bobby Rondinelli (formerly of Rainbow) and guitarist Jon Levin (sometimes mislabeled as Jon Devin).{{cite web | url = http://www.dokkencentral.com/bio/jon-levin | title = Jon Levin | access-date = 1 August 2012 | work = Dokken Central.com | publisher = Dokken}}

At the end of 1988, Doro Pesch remained the only original member and the only German still in the band. At this time, Peter Zimmermann, the band's ex-manager, sued for rights to the band name and merchandise, and won.{{cite web |url=http://www.the-plague.net/doro.htm |title=Doro interview |access-date=1 July 2012 |last=Hinds |first=Daniel |year=2001 |publisher=The Plague.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030817151106/http://www.the-plague.net/doro.htm |archive-date=17 August 2003 }} Pesch continued to fight for the name, but conceded with record label requests to rename the band DORO in order to continue her career; the first edition of the LP Force Majeure, recorded with the final formation of Warlock, was the last one to expose a sticker with the name of the band next to DORO, with the exception of the compilation Rare Diamonds of 1991. Pesch eventually regained the rights to the name Warlock in 2011, after years of legal battles.{{cite web | url = http://www.bravewords.com/features/1001054 | title = Doro Pesch Says She's Acquired Rights To Warlock Name | access-date = 29 June 2012 | last = Lafon | first = Mitch | date = 28 September 2001 | work = Bravewords.com | publisher = Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles}} DORO is an active band and still performs Warlock songs in their live shows.

After his departure from Warlock, Rudy Graf joined the German speed metal band Rage in 1986 and recorded with them the album Execution Guaranteed.{{cite encyclopedia | url = http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Rage/Execution_Guaranteed/2470 | title = Rage - Execution Guaranteed | access-date = 26 June 2012 | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Metallum}} Today he's working as a studio musician and songwriter.

Frank Rittel, Peter Szigeti and former Snakebite drummer Thomas Franke played in 1987 on Animal House, the first solo album by the former Accept singer Udo Dirkschneider.{{cite encyclopedia | url = http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/U.D.O./Animal_House/1805 | title = U.D.O. - Animal House | access-date = 26 June 2012 | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Metallum}} Rittel and Szigeti formed in the 1990s the melodic metal bands Energy{{cite encyclopedia | url = http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Energy/84101 | title = Energy | access-date = 26 June 2012 | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Metallum}} and Coracko,{{cite encyclopedia | url = http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Coracko/2492 | title = Coracko | access-date = 26 June 2012 | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Metallum}} without much success.

Michael Eurich formed the band Casanova with singer Michael Voss, which was active at end of the 80s.{{cite web | url = http://www.hardharderheavy.de/bands_warlock.shtml | title = Band: Warlock | access-date = 30 June 2012 | date = 6 May 2005 | publisher = HardHarderHeavy.de | language = de}}

Doro Pesch reunited with Szigeti, Arvanitis, Rittel and Eurich to perform as Warlock at her 20th Anniversary celebration concert in Düsseldorf on 13 December 2003 and later at Wacken Open Air festival 2004.{{cite web | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=23797 | title = Doro: Special Guest Stars Announced For Wacken Open Air Appearance | access-date = 26 June 2012 | date = 18 June 2004 | work = Blabbermouth.net | publisher = Roadrunner Records}} More legal troubles over using the name Warlock ensued with former member Rudy Graf and appearances of the reunited band at festivals and special concerts were billed as "Warlock 1986".{{cite journal | title = Doro Interview | journal = Metal Maidens | date = 2 June 2005 | first = Tony | last = Cannella | url = http://www.dororocks.net/doro_interview_2005.htm | access-date = 1 July 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140106034324/http://www.dororocks.net/doro_interview_2005.htm | archive-date = 6 January 2014 | df = dmy-all }} Frank Rittel quit playing bass and retired from the music business in 2004.

Arvanitis and Szigeti played together in late April 2005 at the 'Rock Classic Allstars' show in Bochum, Germany, with Martin Kesici, Axel Rudi Pell, Kai Hoffmann, Jeff Brown (ex-Sweet) and German soccer star Holger Aden.{{cite web | url = http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=34832 | title = Axel Rudi Pell: More Tour Dates Announced | access-date = 8 July 2012 | date = 30 March 2005 | work = Blabbermouth.net | publisher = Roadrunner Records}}

In December 2008, Pure Steel Records released the first official tribute album to Warlock, titled Tribute to Steel, with the special appearance of the band members.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=110268 |title= Warlock Tribute Album 'Tribute To Steel' Available Now | work = Blabbermouth.net | publisher = Roadrunner Records|date=5 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2012}}

Since 2011, Tommy Henriksen has been a member of Alice Cooper's solo band, and since 2012 he has also been a member of Hollywood Vampires, a supergroup that also includes Cooper, Joe Perry, and Johnny Depp.{{cite web|last1=Ives|first1=Brian|title=Hollywood Vampires Raise the Dead in Atlantic City|url=http://radio.com/2016/07/04/hollywood-vampires-concert-review-atlantic-city/|website=radio.com|access-date=12 July 2016|date=4 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822070809/http://radio.com/2016/07/04/hollywood-vampires-concert-review-atlantic-city/|archive-date=22 August 2017|url-status=dead}}

Warlock were one of the few successful female-fronted heavy metal bands in the circuit during the 80s, when the scene was dominated by male singers.{{cite web | url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1233878/bio | title = Biography for Doro Pesch | access-date = 8 July 2012 | website = Internet Movie Database}} Doro Pesch's voice and stage presence immediately caught the attention of fans and press, and she became the principal means of promotion for the band, as well as the main spokesperson for Warlock.

Warlock's music is always primarily described as heavy metal,{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/warlock-mn0000234355 | title = Warlock Biography | first = Greg | last = Prato | access-date = 26 June 2012 | work = Allmusic | publisher = Rovi Corporation}} and the band cite as main influences 1970s metal acts such as Judas Priest, Scorpions, Accept,{{cite journal | title = Warlock Via Inferno | journal = Metal Attack | date = 22 July 1985 | issue = 23 | pages = 28–31| language = fr}} and groups from the new wave of British heavy metal movement.

Warlock's sound and songwriting evolved from the traditional heavy metal of their debut album Burning the Witches to the faster and darker Hellbound, which incorporates elements of power metal, such as fast tempos, powerful choruses and fantasy-inspired lyrics. True as Steel is a more commercial album, where any reference to fantasy and the occult in the lyrics was abandoned. Triumph and Agony recovers elements of the first albums, but veers also towards a melodic and FM radio-friendly sound, influenced by the US production.

Power ballads were also characteristic of Warlock and are present in the track listings of every album.

1982–1983

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

1983–1985

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

1985–1987

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

1987–1988

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

1988–1989

• Doro Pesch – vocals
• Jon Levin – guitar
• Tommy Henriksen – bass
• Bobby Rondinelli – drums

{{#tag:timeline|

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20

PlotArea = left:95 bottom:60 top:0 right:15

Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/1982 till:03/01/1989

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1982

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1982

Colors =

id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals

id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:studio value:black legend:Studio_albums

id:bars value:gray(0.9)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =

layer:back color:studio

at:03/01/1984

at:05/29/1985

at:08/18/1986

at:09/05/1987

BarData =

bar:Doro text:"Doro Pesch"

bar:Peter text:"Peter Szigeti"

bar:Rudy text:"Rudy Graf"

bar:Niko text:"Niko Arvanitis"

bar:Tommy1 text:"Tommy Bolan"

bar:Jon text:"Jon Levin"

bar:Thomas text:"Thomas Studier"

bar:Frank text:"Frank Rittel"

bar:Tommy2 text:"Tommy Henriksen"

bar:Michael text:"Michael Eurich"

bar:Bobby text:"Bobby Rondinelli"

PlotData=

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)

bar:Doro from:01/01/1982 till:end color:vocals

bar:Peter from:01/01/1982 till:02/02/1987 color:guitar

bar:Rudy from:01/01/1982 till:09/01/1985 color:guitar

bar:Niko from:09/01/1985 till:02/01/1988 color:guitar

bar:Tommy1 from:02/01/1987 till:02/01/1988 color:guitar

bar:Jon from:02/01/1988 till:end color:guitar

bar:Thomas from:01/01/1982 till:06/01/1983 color:bass

bar:Frank from:06/01/1983 till:02/02/1987 color:bass

bar:Tommy2 from:02/02/1987 till:end color:bass

bar:Michael from:01/01/1982 till:02/01/1988 color:drums

bar:Bobby from:02/01/1988 till:end color:drums

}}

{{Mainlist|Doro discography}}

• Burning the Witches (1984)
• Hellbound (1985)
• True as Steel (1986)
• Triumph and Agony (1987)

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.doropesch.com Doro Pesch's website]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120717021832/http://www.doroclan.de/DoroPesch/Neu/seite03usp.htm Doro Pesch biography]}} (also includes Warlock information)

{{Warlock (band)}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Warlock}}

Category:1982 establishments in West Germany

Category:Doro (musician)

Category:Female-fronted musical groups

Category:German hard rock musical groups

Category:German heavy metal musical groups

Category:German musical quintets

Category:Musical groups established in 1982

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1988

Category:Musical groups from Düsseldorf

Category:Vertigo Records artists