Running Wild are one of the oldest, and most influential European power metal bands. They practically started the "galloping metal" movement in the early '80s, alongside other bands, such as Rage and Grave Digger. Rolf Kasparek (aka Rock'n'Rolf) started the band as early as 1976. He has remained the only constant member since. In May 2009 Rolf announced that the bnd would play their final show at the Wacken Open Air Festival on July 30th, 2009.

GATES TO PURGATORY (1984, 1988) NOISE

Running Wild had been around for close to a decade already, when they released their debut album for Noise Records in late 1984. 'Gates To Purgatory' is basically a re-recorded compilation of songs from the bands earliest demos. Back then Rock 'n' Rolf had not yet adopted the pirate imagery, but rather borrowed his image from Venom, lyrically as well as musically. So it's Satan this and Satan that, over and over. I find this to be rather silly, and quite frankly very boring. Luckily one can still detect what is to become the trademark Running Wild sound in most of the compositions here. This is some fast speed metal, with the occasional mid-paced number added for dynamics. The band delivers powerful drums, galloping riffs and Rolf's sinister voice. It all works well with this kind of music, and I'm actually quite taken by how heavy this band was. They actually rivaled, or even surpassed, the growing thrash metal scene in terms of speed. "Victim Of States Power" is an early speed metal number that sets the standard for the genre. "Soldiers Of Hell" and "Prisoners Of Our Time" are other great anthemic heavy metal standout tracks. "Diabolic Force" is sort of a forgotten gem in the bands catalogue, while "Genghis Khan" treats us with some blistering bass work, courtesy of Stephan Boriss. Sadly the production sort of ruins the overall feel of the album. Running Wild have re-recorded many of the songs on this album on later occasions, and the upgrade in sound makes these songs stand out even more then they did in their original forms. 'Gates To Purgatory' is still a landmark debut album, recorded by a young and hungry band that hadn't quite found their niche yet.

The 2 bonus track on the CD version of this album are lifted from the 'Victim Of States Power' EP (aka 'Walpurgis Night' EP). And for whatever reason it seems that the first track is not complete. It just ends abruptly, like someone lifted the needle off of the turntable or something. Weird.

Killer tracks: Victim Of States Power, Soldier Of Hell, Adrian SOS, Genghis Khan, Prisoner Of Our Time

BRANDED AND EXILED (1985) NOISE

This is Running Wild's second album, and it's not that impressive. The production is horrible, and most of the songs are easily forgotten. It must have been quite the let down after the promising debut. There are still signs of better things to come on it. The title track is signature Rock 'n' Rolf material, and "Mordor" is another classic. I don't think any of these tracks are still in their live repertoire, though I might be wrong. The album does grow with repetitive listens. My version is a reissue, released sometime after their 'Masquerade' album. Majk Moti replaced original guitar-player, "Preacher", on this record.

Killer tracks: Branded And Exiled, Mordor, Chains And Leather

UNDER JOLLY ROGER (1987) NOISE

'Under Jolly Roger' was my first exposure to Running Wild, and it is still the album I value the most! I love every second of it, and I never grow tired of it. This is the album where the band fully adopted their trademark pirate-image. So most of the songs are about pirates. I believe this is a great album to start with, if you want to get into Running Wild. I don't know why, but the CD version has a different track-list than the vinyl I'm used to. And to round things off, here's what the cover states: "WARNING! Loud Sound Effects! No responsibility on audio equipment damage!" Now, THAT'S METAL! :-)

Killer tracks: All of them!

READY FOR BOARDING (1988) NOISE

A live-album was to be these Germans next effort. New members on bass and drums are introduced. It's cool to get a new track in "Purgatory", dedicated to the PMRC. But other than that, this is more of a collector's item. The best track is "Prisoner Of Our Time", a song I loved hearing them play live when I saw them in Germany in 1998. It sound so much better live here than it originally did on 'Gates To Purgatory'. If you are a fan of this band, don't hesitate to get this album. It's a good testimony of where the band was, at this moment in their history. But it's not the best live-album in metal-history. My version is from the same reissue series as my 'Branded And Exiled' CD.

PORT ROYAL (1988) NOISE

Running Wild became one of my favorite bands because of 'Under Jolly Roger'. So when the follow up was released, I was pretty excited. Since I was not yet familiar with the bands earlier work, and thought the pirate image was something they'd always done, I ascertained that the this was intact, and that the music followed along the same lines as the previous album.

'Port Royal' delivers the same galloping metal we all know and love from Running Wild. The songs are built around the rhythm, and as such the drums and bass are important parts of the bands sound. Jens and Stefan doesn't bring anything new to the plate, replacing Stephan and Hasche on bass and drums, but they deliver the goods, nonetheless. And 'Port Royal' is basically an album where the "more-of-the-same" is a fitting term. The band sounds a tad on auto-pilot. And the production is also a little thin. Basically this makes for a solid Running Wild CD, but not a mind-blowing one. "Conquistadores" and the epic closer, "Calico Jack", are amongst the bands finest moments. But songs like "Into The Arena" and the instrumental, "Final Gates", are easily forgotten.

'Port Royal' is not my favorite Running Wild album. It is nothing particularly wrong with it. It's just not as strong as many of the bands other albums. But as a long time fan of the band, it is still a CD I put on every now and then.

Killer tracks: Port Royal, Raging Fire, Conquistadores, Mutiny, Calico Jack

DEATH OR GLORY (1989, 1995) CBM/NOISE

Riding The Storm Renegade Evilution Running Blood Highland Glory (The Eternal Fight) - instrumental Marooned Bad To The Bone Tortuga Bay Death Or Glory Battle Of Waterloo March On Hanged, Drawn And Quartered * Win Or Be Drowned *

Line-up: Rock 'n' Rolf - Vocals, Guitar Majk Moti - Lead Guitar Jens Becker - Bass Iain Finlay - Drums   * Bonus tracks

Yet another killer album from the pirate-band. I guess they had managed to make quite a name for themselves by now, because EMI released this album in the UK. Opening with the awesome 'Riding The Storm' this album rarely steps down from it's glorious ride. Excellent galloping metal at it's finest. Running Wild have a unique sound, and although their music might be considered simple, they never repeat themselves, nor do they get boring. I've replaced my original release with a re-release with 2 bonus tracks. Unfortunately the liner-notes do not give any info on them. I've later found out that they originally were released on the 'Lead Or Gold' EP from 1992. They are also featured on the remastered version of 'Pile Of Skulls'.

Killer tracks: Riding The Storm, Bad To The Bone, Tortuga Bay, Death Or Glory, Battle Of Waterloo

BLAZON STONE (1991) NOISE

I find it quite amazing that Running Wild are able to release so many great albums in a row, when they in fact base all their songs on the same musical themes. Who said you can't sound great even if you aren't all that innovative? 'Blazon Stone' is another stone turned on the Running Wild journey. There isn't much else to say. But if you like the albums prior, or preceding this one, you're bound to like 'Blazon Stone' as well. Galloping heavy metal doesn't get much better than this. "Over The Rainbow" is a cool bass-solo! I'd really like to get my hands on the remastered edition though, as it contains 2 bonus tracks.

Killer tracks: Blazon Stone, Fire & Ice, Little Big Horn, White Masque

THE FIRST YEARS OF PIRACY (1991) NOISE

Re-recording older material has been a popular trend in this new Millennium. Bands like Testament, Anthrax, Gamma Ray and Destruction, to name a few, have with various success dusted off, and beefed up the sound of their classics, rather then just releasing regular best-of compilation albums. Running Wild already did this, way back in 1991! Yes, 'The First Years of Piracy' are 10 re-recorded tracks, picked from the bands first 3 albums. It is the 'Blazon Stone' line-up playing on this CD, so I have no idea why they chose only to re-record songs from the first 3 albums. As a compilation this works ok. I would have picked some other songs, but that will always happen, won't it? I find that the older songs have benefited the upgraded sound these re-recorded versions offers, the most. Because the songs from 'Under Jolly Roger' actually manage to sound downgraded, and I really miss the sound effects on the song "Under Jolly Roger". Luckily Rock 'n' Rolf and company have always penned solid songs. So the material at hand should leave any Running Wild fan salivating.

PILE OF SKULLS (1992, 2007) SANCTUARY/NOISE

I'm not entirely sure why, but this seems to be the Running Wild album I listen the least to. That doesn't mean that it is a bad album, but I somehow rarely pull this one out. It might be that this band has delivered so many good albums, it's getting harder to choose between them. Nevertheless, 'Pile Of Skulls' contains several killer metal tracks, that is easily recognized as Running Wild. I just love the galloping metal this band perfected, and a song like "Whirlwind" is the be all, end all of this genre! This particular album was released in 1992, when the record-companies were putting bonus-tracks on the CD's to prevent people from buying the LP. So the original release of 'Pile Of Skulls' has 2 bonus-tracks. But it was also remastered, and re-released in 1999, with 4 additional bonus tracks. A 2007 reissue of that is the version I now own. 3 of the 4 tracks can be found on EP's and singles released around the same time as this album. "Beggars' Night" originally appeared on the 'Under Jolly Roger' album. I just have to hand it out to Rock 'n' Rolf for delivering the goods every time!

Killer tracks: Whirlwind, Black Wings Of Death, Fistful Of Dynamite, Pile Of Skulls, Lead Or Gold

BLACK HAND INN (1994) NOISE INTERNATIONAL

A friend of mine bought this album as a new release, and I remember we almost played his CD to death! This is another one of my favorite albums by this band. All the songs are excellent, just as on 'Under Jolly Roger'. So when I was lucky enough to find a Japanese version, with digital remastering and 2 bonus tracks, I grabbed it! These tracks have later been put on regular European reissues as well, but I'm still glad I picked this CD up back then. "Genesis" is a 15 minute plus epic track. Great cover-artwork, penned by the famous Andreas Marschall (In Flames, Grave Digger etc.).

Killer tracks: Another one with only great songs!

MASQUERADE (1995, 1999) NOISE

Another masterpiece! There is not a single bad song on 'Masquerade' either. It's quite stunning for a band that have always been criticized for never changing, to continue to release such excellent albums, over and over again. I can't get enough of this album. "Rebel At Heart" says it all, the ultimate Running Wild anthem! I've owned 3 different versions of this album. First I bought the regular first release, then I purchased a box set version, but the only "extra" was the actual wooden box the CD came in (there also exists a version with a larger box, that includes the CD and the official 'Death Or Glory' live video). Finally I purchased this remastered version, with 2 bonus-tracks. The tracks are 2 of the oldest Running Wild songs ever recorded, and really not very good at all.

Killer tracks: All, but the 2 bonus-tracks.

THE RIVALRY (1998) GUN/BMG

The same line-up that played on the last killer album, 'Masquerade', do not follow up with another equally strong album. I think there are just too many tracks on this CD, and 2-4 of them are just fillers. It's not the worst album by the German power metalers, but it doesn't really stand up against such a killer back-catalogue. Fans of the band will note a slight return to the pirate-image, and seeing Rock 'n' Rolf in his huge old military hat is a blast. "Kiss Of Death" is dedicated to Paul, Gene, Ace and Peter (the original KISS line-up), but I've never been able to figure out if this is done with a good or a bad undertone.

Killer tracks: The Rivalry, Kiss Of Death, Resurrection

VICTORY (2000) GUN/BMG

The rulers of galloping metal are showing signs of weary. The last album was a little step back, and this one is taking another huge step further back. It's a pity, because Running Wild have always been synonymous with quality.  Not all of 'Victory' is as bad as I indicate, but the fact is that most of the tracks are forgotten the minute after you take the CD out of your player. All I remember is that it is a concept album about the Russian revolution (I think). And talking about "Revolution", the song is a cover of The Beatles classic. Get a grip, Rolf! BTW, Angelo Sasso is a drum-machine......

Killer tracks: Timeriders, Tsar

THE BROOTHERHOOD (2002) GUN/BMG

This album is the reason I bought the 3CD box set described below. It was the only one I didn't already own. And when this version was identical to the digi-pack version, in that it also includes the 2 bonus-tracks, I had made a bargain. But it was soon apparent that this was the only positive thing I can say about this CD. The Running Wild downward spiral continues, and by now I can't understand what motivates this old rocker. It's a little bit of the pirate-stuff, a little bit of the old "evil" lyrics and a whole bunch of nonsense! I think Mr. Kasparek needs to get a new band again, and not just session-musicians and drum machines. Strictly for the die-hard fans only!

Killer tracks: Crossfire, Pirate Song

THE LEGENDARY TALES (2002) GUN/BMG (3CD BOX SET)

I bought this box set to get 'The Brotherhood'. I already owned the other 2 CDs in it. But when it didn't cost more than 1 regular CD, it was a no-brainer. 'The Brotherhood' even included the 2 bonus-tracks originally exclusive to the digi-pack version, so that only added to the positive side of buying it. But after having given the album I wanted a great deal of attention, I noticed the down-side to this box set. While 'The Brotherhood' includes a booklet with all the lyrics, even the 2 bonus-tracks, both 'The Rivalry' and 'Victory' lacks this. So I was now debating to keep my initial releases of these CD's, just to have the lyric-sheets. Oh well, you can't have your cake and eat it too I guess. For reviews of the 3 albums, read above.

20 YEARS IN HISTORY (2003) NOISE/SANCTUARY (2CD)

'20 Years In History' is an aptly entitled compilation album. This 2 CD set is a showcase in what this band have brought us through the years. The booklet says that it is not meant to be a best-of release, but rather a look at what the band was doing at any given time in their past. And as such, this compilation is doin' a great job. I like that the songs are all in chronological order, starting with a previously unreleased song, entitled "Prowling Werewolf". "Apocalyptic Horsemen" is another previously unreleased track, originally recorded for the 'Under Jolly Roger' sessions. It would have fit well on that album. 2 more songs appear as newly recorded, namely "Branded & Exiled" & "Mordor". That marks the 3rd studio version of "Branded & Exiled"!  Every album up to 'The Brotherhood' is represented with 2 songs each. Almost all of them are reworked, either with the addition of newly recorded bass and/or guitar parts. I really got a kick out of this compilation, and it made me fall in love with Running Wild once again.

ROUGES EN VOGUE (2005) BMG/GUN (Limited Edition Digipak)

After releasing some pretty mediocre albums, Rolf now seems to be back where he belongs! 'Rogues En Vogue' is the man's best album since 'The Rivalry', and maybe also 'Masquerade'. I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that he has not done absolutely everything himself this time, but actually brought in some other musicians in the studio (although it is kept to a minimum). The weird thing is that the drums on this album sound almost more like a drum machine then was the case with the whole Angelo Sasso deal. Still, it's the quality of the songs that matters, and as said, this time Rolf have written songs that are way better than he's delivered for a long time. Stuff like "Skull & Bones", "Born Bad, Dying Worse" and the title track are classic Running Wild. Rolf's guitar tone sounds crisp and buzzes like a wasp. Let's hope this is a trend that will stay, and that Rock 'n' Rolf can get out on the road again. Not much more to say, I guess. If you're already a fan, you will dig this CD. I bought the Limited Edition digi-pack version, with 2 bonus tracks.

Killer tracks: Angel Of Mercy, Skull & Bones, Born Bad, Dying Worse, Black Gold, Soul Vampires, Rogues En Vogue

Rolf Kasparek guest appearances:

Kreyson - 'Angel On The Run'

AC guest appearances:

HammerFall - 'I Want Out' (EP)

Related artists:

Rage, Stratovarius, Grave Digger, U.D.O., Angel Dust, Helloween, Axel Rudi Pell, Unleashed Power/U.P., Paradox, Accept, Saxon, X-Wild, Roland Grapow, Zillion, Risk