RUNNING WILD „The Brotherhood”

Music: Heavy Metal
Website: http://www.running-wild.net
Country: Germany
Cool songs: The Brotherhood, Siberian Winter, Pirate Song, The Ghost

If you did not hear about RUNNING WILD, you should be ashamed of yourself. They are the band who constructed and developed the German Heavy Metal scene. Popular in the 80’s and early 90’s, following the tune of Iron Maiden, they quickly developed their own, non-repeatable style. They have become the most recognisable pirates on the metal ground. Their albums were filled with adventures. And their concerts were fabulous performances. But the line up was changing frequently. And this had an effect on the band’s play. Only Rolf Kasparek did not change. He was, is, and will always be, the one and only RUNNING WILD.

Their twelfth album, “The Brotherhood”, was, again, recorded with different crew. All of the compositions were created by Kasparek. His hand is visible and audible through the whole album. The style did not change – it is classic Heavy Metal – but slight touch of evolution is tangible. Kasparek is not so young, the ideas are running out, but sometimes, there is a shining.

It is clearly visible, that the fattest years have past. Now it is a time of trying. The album starts quite fast, “Welcome To Hell” brings back the old memories. Classic, double guitar riffs, and drums… everything mixed and combined very well (Rolf knows how to handle everything). And the same goes through the rest of the album. The instruments sound good, although the drums sound a little bit too artificial. It is only repetition and repetition. No changes in pace and it is very predictable. After a few songs you can easily tell, what percussion line will be in the next song. The title track is one of the best songs of this album. Nice keyboard intro, old school RUNNING WILD. With nice guitar solos, and becoming calmer, at the end. “Soulstrippers”, “Crossfire”, “Detonator”, and “Unation” sound almost the same. I had an impression, that Kasparek cut one song into parts, and stuck some others (definitely better) between them. “Siberian Winter” – the one and only instrumental composition, is a real killer. RUNNING WILD from their best years. Fast and furious guitars mixed perfectly, wonderful background noises. A little masterpiece. The best part of this album. Goes very fast from the beginning, changes mood and pace, slows down, to finish in the fast and energetic way, known from the beginning. The essence of being RUNNING WILD. A wonderful part to play at live performances. And the “Pirate Song” – another good composition, which helps the listener to forget about the weaker parts. And to recall in memory the good old RUNNING WILD. “Dr. Horror” takes down for a moment, a while of relief. But not for long… because the final track “The Ghost” is what I like about Rock’n’Rolf. An epic song, ten-minute monster. Something which appears on Running Wild albums for decades. A bow in the direction of fans, who will definitely love this song. It shows, that Rolf, despite all these years, is still in great shape. Very good composition, with nice beginning and climate, which stays with the listener till the end. Good vocal parts and cool guitars. A perfect finish.

Being over 25 years on the metal stage obliges the artists to try hard, to do the very best! They have their old fans, but this does not mean, that they could give them a piece of rubbish (and not gain another bunch of metal maniacs). Kasparek knows that and he provided the weak parts with very good songs. But this is not enough. Making music does not mean cutting coupons from the past. And this is it. Nothing new – only old stuff in newer performance and arrangement. That is why this album is only satisfactory.

note: 6/10

Tracklist

1. Welcome To Hell
2. Soulstrippers
3. The Brotherhood
4. Crossfire
5. Siberian Winter
6. Detonator
7. Pirate Song
8. Unation
9. Dr. Horror
1 0. The Ghost

Total playing time 55:35

Line-up

“Rock'n' ” Rolf Kasparek – vocals, guitars
Peter Pichl – bass
Angelo Sasso – drums