RUNNING WILD

Embroidered bordered woven patch.

105x35mm 

Remastered re-release of debut full-length studio album by legendary German Heavy/Power/Speed Metal band.
Europe wasn’t probably ready for what would be called Pirate Metal, with its origins laid down in the city of Hamburg, Germany, starting back in 1976 with a moniker named Granite Hearts. It took three years for the band to reassemble under the name Running Wild and to actually get down to business without kidding around. Given the right chances, after being critically acclaimed for their demos and compilation performances, the band was signed to a small local label named Noise Records, for a full-length release. From there on, the Running Wild, led by vocalist-guitarist-songwriter Rolf Kasparek aka Rock N’ Rolf, was on its way to the far reaches of success and to become a pioneer in Metal music.
"Gates To Purgatory" predates band's piracy themes and has mostly satanically-influenced lyrics, but also features songs with anarchic and libertarian (in the sense of European libertarianism) themes. It was in part of Gerald "Preacher" Warnecke's studies in theology (he left the band soon after the album's release to become a vicar).
Other than the Satanic and leather imageries, followed by the assimilation of in kind lyrical concepts that Running Wild took upon themselves, the music feels and breathes of the British Metal fume, crossing the outskirts of harmonic NWOBHM into signs of proto-Speed Metal.
For a first official step, “Gates To Purgatory” demonstrated the toughness of German Heavy Metal, which isn’t related to Accept, with honor. Selling over 235,000 copies worldwide, "Gates To Purgatory" catapulted Running Wild to Metal stardom in their native Germany and beyond.
Deluxe Expanded Edition includes eight bonus tracks and 16-page booklet.
There are 2 misspelled printed on back cover:
Track 7 is marked as "Genghis Kahn" (instead of “Genghis Khan”);
Track 8 is marked as "Prisioner Of Our Time" (instead of “Prisoner Of Our Time”).
Noise Records/Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company, 1984/2017 (NOISECD025). Made in EU. Pressed in Austria.


Tracklist:
1. Victim Of States Power 3:27  
2. Black Demon 4:25  
3. Preacher 4:22  
4. Soldiers Of Hell 3:25  
5. Diabolic Force 5:01  
6. Adrian S.O.S. 2:48  
7. Genghis Khan 4:08
Bonus Tracks:
8. Prisoner Of Our Time 5:22  
9. Chains & Leather ('Rock From Hell - German Metal Attack' Version) 5:10
10. Adrian ('Rock From Hell - German Metal Attack' Version) 2:45
11. Walpurgis Night (The Sign Of Women's Fight) (12" Single B-Side) 5:21
12. Satan (12" Single B-Side) 4:10
13. Iron Heads ('Death Metal' Version) 3:46
14. Bones To Ashes ('Death Metal' Version) 5:19
15. Soldiers Of Hell (1991 Re-Recorded Version) 3:23
16. Prisoner Of Our Time (1991 Re-Recorded Version) 4:36
Total playing time: 67:28 min.

Special Edition of the sixteenth full-length studio album by legendary German Heavy/Power/Speed Metal band.
For a band that started in 1976, first as Granite Heart, and officially broke up once, Running Wild has staged a modest comeback, releasing three albums since picking back up. Rolf Kasparek now finds himself and the band 40 years since first setting out, guarding a comfortable brand of retro. And on "Rapid Foray", the band services that legacy proudly.
It took Rolf Kasparek nearly a year to recuperate from a shoulder injury, which delayed the release of "Rapid Foray". For most, the wait should be well worth it. Rolf and guitarist Peter Jordan are credited as the primary musicians on "Rapid Foray", with Ole Hempelmann and Michael Wolpers filling the bassist and drummer slots on tour. In the case of Wolpers, he is also one of a team of recording techs on the album. According to Kasparek, he recorded the vocals and guitars at his personal studio while Peter Jordan recorded guitar solos, drums and choruses. A total of three studios were involved in total for the recording process. He also gave mention that only three musicians took part on the album.
It’s pretty obvious that "Rapid Foray" is another highlight in the career of Running Wild. "Rapid Foray" yet retains a classic feel that cannot be shirked by Kasparek even if he was trying for something wholly contemporary. Give Rolf Kasparek a hand for trying new methods to update tried and true German Metal!
Special Edition Digipack CD includes 20-page booklet + 24-page foldout booklet/poster.
Steamhammer, a division of SPV GmbH, 2016 (SPV 267392 CD). Made in Germany. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Black Skies, Red Flag 4:35
2. Warmongers 4:19
3. Stick To Your Guns 4:56
4. Rapid Foray 4:44
5. By The Blood In Your Heart 5:10
6. The Depth Of The Sea (Nautilus) 3:51
7. Black Bart 4:59
8. Hellectrified 4:19
9. Blood Moon Rising 4:12
10. Into The West 4:23
11. Last Of The Mohicans 11:11
Total playing time: 56:39 min.