X-Wild was founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1992 by ex-Running Wild musicians Axel Morgan, Jens Becker and Stefan Schwarzmann.

SAVAGELAND (1996) BLUE MERLE

Just as Grave Digger has it's Rebellion, Running Wild had it's X-Wild! Both bands consist of ex-members from famous bands, who are trying to make a living off their past. And X-Wild does spell it out quite unashamedly too. Suffice to say the music is almost a carbon copy of Running Wild. But there is enough similarities to Grave Digger and Manowar here also. Especially in the lyrical concept on the album. It deals with the classic story of Braveheart. We're talking true metal here. True metal with raspy vocals, nonetheless. But don't expect 10 average songs that all sound the same. No, this band mixes up the speedier stuff with some mid-paced stuff that is awesome. And to be quite frank; I'm loving this release! X-Wild does come across as a copy band, but still manages to deliver such strong songs, I actually don't mind. Just listen to great stuff like "Savageland", "Born For War" and the majestic "Dragonslair", a song that has everything this genre demands! So if you are a fan of true metal in general, I would be hard pressed not to see how this would pass you buy as a throwaway. In fact, this made me start to look for the bands first 2 albums, as 'Savageland' is their thirds, and final effort.

Killer tracks: Savageland, Born For War, Murder In Thy Name, Dragonslair, Die Like A Man, Clash Of The Titans, Hunting The Damned

Related artists:

Running Wild, Grave Digger, U.D.O., Helloween, Paradox, Accept, Roland Grapow, Zillion