Riffs, Punks, and Passion: Midnight Prey's Journey through the Underground

Today, I’m diving into a band that holds a special place in my metal journey: Midnight Prey. Hailing from Hamburg, these heavy/speed punkers were the headliners at my first-ever concert—a night I’ll never forget. I’d seen two of the band members, Daniel and Hannes, play earlier that night with the opening act, Blitz, so I already had a sense of what was in store. But the actual set blew my expectations out of the water. That night I was surrounded by bands I love—Blitz, Megaton Sword, Venator, and, of course, Midnight Prey. I came away with my first piece of merch, some new friends, and a fresh, unstoppable passion for music.

Formed in 2013, Midnight Prey features the trio of Hannes (drums), Winston (guitars, vocals), and Daniel (bass), who’ve been close since their teens. After a few years of jamming and building up a setlist, they put out early tapes like The Savage Sessions and Rehearsal Rites/Rite of Blood, showcasing a raw, dirty sound leaning heavily into punk-thrash. While some fans had mixed feelings on those gritty releases, they’ve become rare gems for the die-hards, even though they’ve since been taken off streaming services. But if you dig around, you can still find them on YouTube or on rare physical copies. Rite of Blood, for instance, reminds me of Swedish punks Nightmare City, both in sound and spirit—unpolished, intense, and brimming with attitude.

After moving to Hamburg, Midnight Prey cemented their place in the underground scene with their golden release, the Blood Stained Streets 7”. This record brought fans the crowd favorite “Street Mafia,” an absolute speed metal rager with all the fast riffs, rumbling bass, and punchy vocals you could ask for. If you’re in the pit when they play this song, be ready to shout along to “Blood Stained Streets, Streeeet MaffiooaaAAhh!” and lose your mind along with the rest of the crowd.

Their only full-length album to date, Uncertain Times, dropped in 2019 through Dying Victims Productions and marks a stylistic shift, adding German lyrics and a slower, heavier blues-infused sound. You can feel their influences blend seamlessly in the album’s unique mix of blues, punk, and heavy metal. Winston’s riff work here is on another level—there’s a style to it that feels both familiar and like nothing else out there. From hard rock to punk to blues, the songs are thoughtfully crafted, each track rolling into the next in a way that pulls you into their world. “Black Forest” hits hard with headbang-worthy grooves, “Stoff” is a true singalong (especially if you know German), and “We Lose” slows things down with a killer blues vibe and fuzzy solos that give you room to breathe.

Though the band briefly disbanded in 2020, they reunited in 2022, just in time for me to catch them at the Helvete Pub in Oberhausen—a night that rekindled my love for metal, thanks to a close friend, Fynn, who joined me on this journey.

In the year that followed, Midnight Prey treated us to Black Cat / Sword and Shield, an EP that later appeared on a split with Firmament titled Gathered Under Open Skies. Despite a two-year hiatus, the band hadn’t lost a step. The EP retains their classic sound while delving into themes of societal and personal struggle, packing a punch that feels both natural and powerful. In “Black Cat,” you get a fast, punky anthem dripping with attitude and sing-along potential. As they belt out lines like:

“I’m a Black Cat
Maybe advocat
I really try to act
As I’m expecting it from you”

The band unleashes a rallying cry against systemic injustice, advocating for a radical reimagining of society without hierarchies and emphasizing solidarity among marginalized groups. Lines like “Hitler’s cold breath” and “Bismarck’s colonialist state” connect historical figures to present-day injustices, implying that the roots of authoritarianism and colonialism still influence modern society. It’s a lyrically multilayered masterpiece that stands as both a protest and a call for unity.

Meanwhile, “Sword and Shield” slows things down with a bluesy tone, telling a story of personal and relational battles. This track explores themes of vulnerability, healing, and ultimately, transcending the ego to achieve peace with others and the universe itself. Moving from the protective armor of struggle to a vision of unconditional love and cosmic harmony, the song builds a journey that’s both introspective and hopeful—a powerful counterpoint to the EP’s bolder themes.

This EP shows that Midnight Prey hasn’t just retained their edge; they’ve sharpened it, blending their gritty sound with bold, layered storytelling that resonates on multiple levels.

This year, I had the chance to see them live again at DVA’s second edition, and it felt like I was reliving that first concert all over. Midnight Prey is pure underground metal power, and I’ll be first in line when their next album drops. Support your local scene, and keep the underground alive!

Just check out their whole catalogue already!