Feuerschwanz
Feuerschwanz is a German medieval rock and metal band from the Erlangen area, founded in 2004.
The project began with an idea by Peter Henrici in 2000, who believed that the medieval music scene lacked humor and decided to form a parody band. Together with Tobias Heindl and Andre Linke, he founded Feuerschwanz and performed under the stage name Hauptmann Feuerschwanz. After the band’s debut concert on 15 May 2004, most of the original musicians left due to disagreements with the comedic concept, leaving the founding trio to continue the project.
Shortly after the debut, Bastian Brenner and Jan Schindler joined, stabilising the lineup. The band gained attention through performances at medieval markets and as the opening act for Fiddler's Green.
In November 2005, Feuerschwanz released its first album, "Prima Nocte". Around this time, Heindl left the group and was replaced by Stephanie Pracht. Additional lineup changes followed, including Brenner’s departure in early 2007 and the arrival of Marina Regler.
In June 2007, the second album, "Met und Miezen", was released, followed in 2008 by the live album "Drachentanz – Live".
Founding member Linke left the band in April 2009. The fourth studio album, "Wunsch ist Wunsch", was released in March 2011 and reached number 95 on the German album charts. It was followed by "Walhalligalli" in August 2012, which entered the charts at number 37.
In April 2014, Feuerschwanz performed a sold-out tenth-anniversary concert in Erlangen featuring guest musicians from JBO, Schandmaul and Fiddler's Green. A recording of the event was later released on DVD, and the band announced plans for a new album.
In 2015, the group was removed from the Fairytale Festival organised by the University of Osnabrück due to allegations of sexist content in their lyrics. Feuerschwanz denied the accusations, emphasised the satirical nature of their songs and expressed concerns over artistic freedom.
In August 2016, the band released its seventh studio album, "Sex is Muss". Bassist Felix Taugenix left in late 2017 and was replaced by Jarne Hodinsson in early 2018.
The eighth studio album, "Methämmer", was released in 2018 and became the band’s most successful album to date, reaching number 6 on the German charts. In 2019, Feuerschwanz signed with Napalm Records and celebrated their fifteenth anniversary with the "Metfest" tour.
In May 2020, the band released a cover of "I See Fire" as a preview single for the ninth studio album, "Das elfte Gebot". Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the album release included a streamed open-air concert at Burg Abenberg without a live audience, financed through crowdfunding. "Das elfte Gebot" was the first Feuerschwanz album issued on vinyl and later released in an extended edition featuring additional cover versions. Eleven music videos were created for songs from the album, including two versions of "I See Fire".
In June 2021, longtime drummer Robert Gruss left the band, and Rolf Hering was announced as his successor later that year. Also in 2021, Feuerschwanz performed a medley of "Das elfte Gebot" and a cover of "Hier kommt Alex" on German television.
The tenth studio album, "Memento Mori", was released in December 2021, with drum tracks performed by producer Simon Michael. The album debuted at number 1 on the German charts.
In 2023, Feuerschwanz appeared on the July cover of Metal Hammer. Their eleventh studio album, "Fegefeuer", was released in July 2023 and reached number 1 in the German charts.
In May 2024, the band released the album "Warriors", containing English-language versions of previously published songs as well as a new track, "The Unholy Grail".
In December 2024, Feuerschwanz celebrated their twentieth anniversary with the concert "Das größte Metfest aller Zeiten" at the Grugahalle in Essen, featuring guest performances by Fabienne Erni, Dag, Vito C., Melissa Bonny and Miracle of Sound.
In 2025, Feuerschwanz participated in the German preliminary round for "Chefsache ESC – Wer singt für Deutschland?" and reached the final broadcast on 1 March 2025 but did not advance to the top five after the final jury vote.
The project began with an idea by Peter Henrici in 2000, who believed that the medieval music scene lacked humor and decided to form a parody band. Together with Tobias Heindl and Andre Linke, he founded Feuerschwanz and performed under the stage name Hauptmann Feuerschwanz. After the band’s debut concert on 15 May 2004, most of the original musicians left due to disagreements with the comedic concept, leaving the founding trio to continue the project.
Shortly after the debut, Bastian Brenner and Jan Schindler joined, stabilising the lineup. The band gained attention through performances at medieval markets and as the opening act for Fiddler's Green.
In November 2005, Feuerschwanz released its first album, "Prima Nocte". Around this time, Heindl left the group and was replaced by Stephanie Pracht. Additional lineup changes followed, including Brenner’s departure in early 2007 and the arrival of Marina Regler.
In June 2007, the second album, "Met und Miezen", was released, followed in 2008 by the live album "Drachentanz – Live".
Founding member Linke left the band in April 2009. The fourth studio album, "Wunsch ist Wunsch", was released in March 2011 and reached number 95 on the German album charts. It was followed by "Walhalligalli" in August 2012, which entered the charts at number 37.
In April 2014, Feuerschwanz performed a sold-out tenth-anniversary concert in Erlangen featuring guest musicians from JBO, Schandmaul and Fiddler's Green. A recording of the event was later released on DVD, and the band announced plans for a new album.
In 2015, the group was removed from the Fairytale Festival organised by the University of Osnabrück due to allegations of sexist content in their lyrics. Feuerschwanz denied the accusations, emphasised the satirical nature of their songs and expressed concerns over artistic freedom.
In August 2016, the band released its seventh studio album, "Sex is Muss". Bassist Felix Taugenix left in late 2017 and was replaced by Jarne Hodinsson in early 2018.
The eighth studio album, "Methämmer", was released in 2018 and became the band’s most successful album to date, reaching number 6 on the German charts. In 2019, Feuerschwanz signed with Napalm Records and celebrated their fifteenth anniversary with the "Metfest" tour.
In May 2020, the band released a cover of "I See Fire" as a preview single for the ninth studio album, "Das elfte Gebot". Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the album release included a streamed open-air concert at Burg Abenberg without a live audience, financed through crowdfunding. "Das elfte Gebot" was the first Feuerschwanz album issued on vinyl and later released in an extended edition featuring additional cover versions. Eleven music videos were created for songs from the album, including two versions of "I See Fire".
In June 2021, longtime drummer Robert Gruss left the band, and Rolf Hering was announced as his successor later that year. Also in 2021, Feuerschwanz performed a medley of "Das elfte Gebot" and a cover of "Hier kommt Alex" on German television.
The tenth studio album, "Memento Mori", was released in December 2021, with drum tracks performed by producer Simon Michael. The album debuted at number 1 on the German charts.
In 2023, Feuerschwanz appeared on the July cover of Metal Hammer. Their eleventh studio album, "Fegefeuer", was released in July 2023 and reached number 1 in the German charts.
In May 2024, the band released the album "Warriors", containing English-language versions of previously published songs as well as a new track, "The Unholy Grail".
In December 2024, Feuerschwanz celebrated their twentieth anniversary with the concert "Das größte Metfest aller Zeiten" at the Grugahalle in Essen, featuring guest performances by Fabienne Erni, Dag, Vito C., Melissa Bonny and Miracle of Sound.
In 2025, Feuerschwanz participated in the German preliminary round for "Chefsache ESC – Wer singt für Deutschland?" and reached the final broadcast on 1 March 2025 but did not advance to the top five after the final jury vote.
