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Rating: Today I take on the challenge of reviewing this wonderful album by Running Wild.
First of all, I have to say that the fame of this German band has unfortunately been eclipsed by the more famous bands in the German power scene; but rest assured that the "Wild Runners" have nothing to envy from them. I understand that there are Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, and Edguy, who I also like very much; however…
Anyway, Running Wild is the Power/Heavy metal band formed by uncle Rolf Kasparek (known as Rock n'Rolf), which stands out from all the others for their beautiful and fitting image: they are the "Metal Pirates", and in fact, we see them in live shows and videos dressed as true corsairs with fires blazing on stage. This band has undergone numerous lineup changes but only stabilized in the mid-nineties. The lineup for "Death or Glory" (the most qualitative) features Rock n' Rolf on vocals and guitar, Majk Moti on guitar and backing vocals, Jens Becker on bass and backing vocals, and Iain Finlay on drums.
Let’s get to the album:
it starts with the stormy "Riding The Storm" which after a long intro of 6 repeating notes, gives us a true adrenaline rush thanks to the rhythms and Rolf's sharp voice. The powerful "Renegade" with its sound makes you imagine the 4 pirates roaming the seas in their ship plundering other vessels. "Evolution" is really haunting, with duels between the two mighty guitars reigning supreme. "Running Blood" is a fast, melodic, epic ride against time. "Highland Glory" is an excellent instrumental piece beautifully driven by bass and drums, where the leading role is the guitar. Listening to this piece, I imagine myself with that guitar on top of a mountain near a coast, playing like a madman.
"Marroned" is a splendid song with fast and magical solos. "Bad To The Bone" is a great guitar spectacular (check out the video). "Tortuga Bay" is another fast-paced track that almost recalls the sounds of "Marroned". The ninth track is the title track, which is a bit darker than the others but still acceptable. "The battle of Waterloo" recreates the atmosphere of that battle with an appropriate bagpipe and everything else. The last one is "March On"; a simple but impactful march.
Without beating around the bush: this is the best Running Wild album!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Riding the Storm (06:28)
Breaking the waves, a ride on the wild raging sea
Playing with fortune, oh, what a lust to be free
Flashlights and thunder, the prattering rain on the hull
From a stormy horison we get our course
The cry of freedom
Face in the wind, we're riding the storm
We'll stay our course whatever will come
Wandering souls in the sea of the damned
Death or glory, oh, oh, we're riding the storm
Cracks in the planks, the rigging moves upwards and DOWN
Staggering masts, the pounding splash of the prow
The wind in our sails, our flag flies high on the top
From a stormy horison we get our course
The cry of freedom
Face in the wind, we're riding the storm
We'll stay our course whatever will come
Wandering souls in the sea of the damned
Death or glory, oh, oh, we're riding the storm
02 Renegade (04:29)
(Music: Kasparek, Lyrics: Finlay)
Living fast - you take it day by day
One last chance - to throw it all away
Mistrust is all you see in a world of hate
You know the reason why - but way too late
In this heart he knows that he won't fall but
On the streets they're playing winner takes it all
One on one he's a renegade
Could tell his time was coming
Chasing the ace of life
One by one he will win again
Make no mistake this time
He's a renegade
Restless night, you wanna watch the dragon burn
Lives for knives, are you ever gonna learn
You really wanna know if the needle ever lies
But you just don't believe - it's the devil in disguise
In his heart he knows that he won't fall but
On the streets they're playing winner takes it all
One on one he's a renegade
Could tell his time was coming
Chasing the ace of life
One by one he will win again
Make no mistake this time
He's a renegade
(Slowbit:)
Severe vene puncture sights on the
inner forearm with evidence of vein
thrombosis on both right and left sides.
Rhinitus of the nasal passages with
evidence of extreme laceration of inner
membrane and mucus ducts.
Symptoms of withdrawal obvious together
with complaints of visual hallucinations
and extreme paranoia.
03 Evilution (04:43)
[Music: Kasparek/Becker, Lyrics: Finlay]
Cries - for one lost nation reaching out against the wall
Lies - to a generation feeding minds that would not fall
Danger for the free
As they reach for the sky
I should be laughing now
But it's death in disguise
Pain - that sees no borders
- empty lives alone to feel
Insane - but who's to help us
- evil from the boot of steel
Doesn't hurt to flee
Pride when you die
Should I be crying now
Their deeds are full of lies
06 Marooned (05:12)
[Music: Kasparek, Lyrics: Finlay/Kasparek]
Fire. Fore and aft
Man the boats and put to the sea
Crashing yardarms - cries of pain
A will to live - a chance to flee
Panic on the boats to save
Stricken hands the first on board
Leading to eternal grave
Dragging down what they could hoard
Thirty days and night have I seen the brink of death
Troubled seas - my only friend
Drag me down - gasping for breath
Cursing eternal black
Bloodied by the dogs of war
Memories come clawing back
Treasured friends - their sight no more
Eternal cruise
I feel the fires of madness
Burning holes into my wounds
This hell on earth
I feel the power of sadness
No way out - I'm marooned
Lonely this hell on earth
Demons screaming in my mind
Wading thru debris of life
A thousand souls their graves to find
Flotsam with death on board
Bodies ripped until the bone
Nothing but the sounds of time
No sign of life - am I alone ?
Eternal curse
I feel the fires of madness
Burning holes into my wounds
This hell on earth
I feel the power of sadness
No way out - I'm 'marooned
Eternal curse
Could I really be stranded
Start to count 1000 moons
This hell on earth
To me the dogs have handed
No way out I'm marooned
07 Bad to the Bone (04:46)
Fifty years ago with the world at war
Hands bloodied - devastated
Better believe they're back for more
Pounding the world with a fist of steel
Jack booted, heavy handed
Careless of the pain we feel
Bastards - throwing life away
Killers - alive today
Oh oh oh oh
Don't tell no lies
I see through your eyes
You're bad to the bone
Oh oh oh oh
Don't tell no lies
You can't hear the cries
'Cos you're bad to the bone
Times have changed but he don't know
Zoot suit, black tie
Careless that the lies are low
One for all and all for one
Talking smooth - hidden truth
Time bomb ticking just begun
Standing alone for the world to see
Non-starter - push harder
He still believes his time will come
Small wonder - old thunder
Can't he see that he's wrong
08 Tortuga Bay (03:16)
[Music: Kasparek, Lyrics: Finlay/Kasparek]
[1. Verse]
Man or boy - we'll fight all as one
Bending the rules - it's the call of the wild
Last resort - to be shot down in pains
Playing your very last card
[Prechorus:]
Hoist up the mainbrace and fasten the sails
Crowsnest is screaming for shore
Ready the rum that is stored in the hold
Bringing what we need and more
[Chorus:]
Where the streets have no name
Where the devil's in all men
If you knew what was a slain
Pay or flee in Tortuga Bay
[2. Verse]
Fight to death - games that men play
Flashing of steel and the clash of the sword
Last breath - the kill of the day
Proving what all men must fear
[Prechorus:]
Hoist up the mainbrace and fasten the sails
Crowsnest is screaming for shore
Ready the rum that is stored in the hold
Bringing what we need and more
[3. Verse]
Live by stealth - cover your track
Enemies scuttled but who needs to see
No escape - knife in your back
Proving what all men must fear
[Prechorus:]
Hoist up the mainbrace and fasten the sails
Crowsnest is screaming for shore
Ready the rum that is bound up in bales
Bringing what we need and more
[Chorus:]
Where survival's the game
Where you fight for your freedom
If you knew what was a slain
Pay or flee in Tortuga Bay
09 Death or Glory (03:57)
[Music: Moti, Lyrics: Finlay/Moti]
Reach for the rifle - go for the gun
Saddle the beast huge load to heave
Unstoppa bullrace now begun
Cry for the slaughter who would believe
Hunting the red one - blood on their breath
Screaming horisons for clues of the kill
Blowing their own horn - stinking of death
Tally ho.
Touch of the tail but what to expect
Dog don't believe why to die for the queen
Lies to the allies - wrath with respect
Blood hounds of hades - heeding the scream
Pounding of hooves they cannot control
Mud flying high as shit hits the fan
Break for the border - the thrill of it all
Tally ho.
Clawing the reigns
Of a world gone mad treason
Breaking the chains
Death or glory - pride or pain
Breaking down the rules of greed and gain
Hunter's hounds in the hands of the hunted
Death or glory
Clawing the reigns
Of a world gone mad treason
Breaking the chains
Death or glory - pride or pain
Breaking down the rules of greed and gain
Hunter's hounds in the hands of the hunted
Death or glory
Death or glory - pride or pain
Death or glory
10 Battle of Waterloo (07:48)
June the 18th 1815, the battle at "Belle-Alliance"
Marshy fields and pouring rain,
All the blood and a cannon's fire, cuirassier's attack,
British grenadiers stand tight Wellington's command
"Bluecher or the night", but no Prussian in sight
The battle of Waterloo, a sea of blood that stains the fields
The battle of Waterloo, lead and steel the bloody goods
The battle of Waterloo, they fight and die, fall one by one
The battle of Waterloo, a tribute to the bloody death
[Solo]
Fight, fight - you have to stand unite
Kill, kill - come on and have your thrill
Bleed, bleed - your blood flows on the field
Die, die - but nobody will ever cry for you
[Solo]
The French guard marches on and on straight towards British lines
Bluecher's Prussians join the fight storming the fire side
The French guards fall one by one but Napoleon has gone
Do you know who's paying the cost ? The little soldier, he's lost
The battle of Waterloo, a sea of blood that stains the fields
The battle of Waterloo, lead and steel the bloody goods
The battle of Waterloo, they fight and die, fall one by one
The battle of Waterloo, a tribute to the bloody death
11 March On (04:12)
Out in the park where they gather in the dark
It's a scaring atmosphere
Wide open eyes which are following the sign
It is soiled with blood and fear
One by one they're casting the unholy spell
A promise of murder - a present from hell
Danger for the free - like you hanging on a tree
Law and order is their goal
Shadows are behind you - run and take good care
They will snatch you if you fall
See them marching - hear them screaming
Never
See them marching - hear them screaming
Never we'll follow their way
March on - straight to hell
With the signs of death in hand
March on - scream and yell
You're bound for a yesterdays land
One after one they prepare for the run
Latest catchword is to choose
Face to face in an awful race
The pack of hounds is loose
Mortis comes with his loudest boots - beware
A message of yesterdays horror - take care
Wrath in their mind - there's no reason to find
They will never comprehend
Time is too late for a world to create
That is worth it to defend
See them marching - hear them screaming
Never
See them marching - hear them screaming
Never we'll follow their way
March on - straight to hell
With the signs of death in hand
March on - scream and yell
You're bound for a yesterdays land
One by one they're casting the unholy spell
A promise of murder - a present from hell
March on - straight to hell
With the signs of death in hand
March on - scream and yell
You're bound for a yesterdays land
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Other reviews
By Harlan
"It's impossible not to be amazed by a genius song like 'Riding The Storm,' as fast as it is melodic."
"'Death Or Glory' represents the long compositional and musical peak that the band maintained for almost 10 years."
