Running Wild
Black Hand Inn

THE REVIEW

The waves violently crashing against the galleon, breaking with an elegant harmony of power and majesty. The smell of the stormy sea, savored during a fierce battle on the open sea between two pirate ships. The sound of cannons that have just opened fire, leaving behind the devastation of the enemy ship. These feelings, and many more, are certainly difficult to express in the form of music, but in the early 90s, the crew of Rolf Kasparek, known as Rock 'N Rolf, perfectly succeeded in the endeavor.

Already authors of classic HM masterpieces like "Port Royal" and "Death Or Glory," Running Wild, unlike what happened to many other bands in their genre in the 90s, showed no signs of stopping. The "failure" that many expected to see had not yet emerged. They were creators of genuine pillars of Speed metal, one after another, with an increasingly mature sound, since 1988, Rock 'N Rolf's group seemed to have absolutely no desire to take their foot off the gas.

After the excellent "Pile Of Skulls" in 1992, two years later RW released "Black Hand Inn," which, if we wish, is the absolute pinnacle of this band, who, in my opinion, never received the recognition they truly deserved. "Black Hand Inn" is actually much more than just an album; it's a concept album revolving around the figure of a man unjustly accused of having sold his soul to the devil, who is then burned at the stake. The only thing that survives the pyre is his black hand, which becomes the symbol of the man's ghost returning for revenge.

It's certainly difficult to highlight a weak song within the album. Fast and powerful tracks like the title-track and "The Privateer" will undoubtedly make you stand up, compelling you to keep the rhythm fervently. There are also tracks where the frontman's voice, not one that will be remembered for its versatility but certainly capable of fully adapting and emoting, takes the spotlight, like in "Fight The Fire Of Hate" and "Powder & Iron." Special mention should be made of "Phantom Of The Black Hand Hill," an excellent track that rests on one of the finest riffs of the German combo’s career. There is also room for songs with unforgettable choruses like "Soulless," which also presents an excellent drum part. "Genesis (The Making And The Fall Of Man)," on the other hand, is one of the longest songs ever written by RW and features a very engaging spoken part, several very interesting tempo changes, and showcases the skill of Thilo Hermann, the group's guitarist at the time.

If there is still someone who thinks that in the 90s classic metal was at its lowest point of popularity, well, think again. The career of RW, especially in the first half of the 90s, saw its peak of splendor, a splendor that, in part, still exists today. And if you think this crew of pirates isn’t all that great, well, I respect your opinion. But I hope the ghost of the "Black Hand Inn" will pay you a visit tonight.