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Surely when we hear the word Heavy Metal, the first thing that comes to mind or that we can associate with it is Iron Maiden, and who could blame us, since Steve Harris and his bandmates have managed to give birth over the years to masterpieces that have made music history, entering the hearts of millions of fans worldwide, including me, fully confirming themselves with "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son", released in 1988. Speaking of heavy metal masterpieces, in 1988 the Running Wild, a glorious group belonging to the flourishing German metal school, made a hit with the surprising "Port Royal". Released a year after the previous "Under Jolly Roger", it represents the happiest episode of the band's early period, formed in the early eighties by guitarist-singer Rock'N'Rolf Kasparek, who still holds the reins of Running Wild to this day.
"Port Royal" has the merit of representing heavy in its rawest form, from the cover (which, along with the intro, is set in a tavern in Port Royal) to the songs, which have a simple structure and very sharp lyrics, as Captain Kasparek knows how to do. I still want to say that this amazing album, despite the disarming simplicity with which it is packaged, is in my opinion definitely one of the best heavy metal albums done in the old way, thanks to eleven songs that I wouldn't be ashamed to call eleven masterpieces, which I will now attempt to examine.
Right after the intro comes the Title Track, in my opinion, the highlight of the album and one of the best by the four pirates, perfect from every point of view, which catapults us into another gem which is "Raging Fire", a piece much appreciated by fans. The fourth track we find is "Into The Arena", another gem of the album, which boasts an opening riff and a chorus among the best I have ever heard... Headbanging guaranteed! Now comes the turn of "Uaschitschun", another of the many splendid songs contained in this album, at the end of which an Indian proverb is read (which many should revisit), then we find "Final Gates", a beautiful instrumental that has the task of introducing a song considered among the best of Running Wild, namely "Conquistadores", an epic piece that deals with the deeds accomplished by the Spanish conquistadors in South America: a masterpiece. The eighth song is the very interesting "Blown to Kingdom Come", followed closely by the classic "Warchild", present, albeit in a totally different version, in their first demo dated '81. Finally, after the penultimate "Munity", the only song that doesn't convince me so much, comes the turn of the final "Calico Jack", which tells the story and trial of the privateer John Rackham.
Needless to say, this wonderful album is played beautifully, and I want to highlight the superb performance of Jens Becker, who performs his role as bassist in an almost perfect manner, not to mention drummer Ian Finlay and the guitars of Majk Moti and Rock'n'Rolf, engaged in supporting the voice of the latter.
I just hope that all this enthusiasm of mine hasn't tainted the overwhelming beauty of this CD, which any heavy enthusiast should be ashamed not to own and which stands as one of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard, I hope it's the same for you...
Well, at this point I have only one more thing to say: LONG LIVE THE PIRATES OF METAL!!!!!!!!!!
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
04 Into the Arena (03:59)
They imagine a heaven
Talk about hell
They can't live without a remission
Plentiful punichment for
Numerous sins
Suffering their oun crurl invention
Their heaven is boring
Their hell's a state joke
Faith is their one vindication
Doubt is forbidden
Joy is tabooed
For a folly there's no hesitation
Sacrifice their life for a lie
A thousand sheep have come to die
Down the thumb there's no remorse
It's the time for martyres
Into the Arena - go down
Into the Arena - show-down now
Into the Arena - the beasts are prepared
Into the Arena
Hunting the witches
Considered to be
Riding on brooms in the dark night
No mercy for people
Who dare to oppose
Mediaevel church was a scourge in its pride
Millions of people
Killed for the cross
By relentless religion - disgusting
There is no excuse
For things they have done
In the name of their God - it's a bad thing
Sacrifice their life for a lie
A thousand sheep have come to die
Down the thumb there's no remorse
It's the time for martyres
Into the Arena - go down
Into the Arena - show-down now
Into the Arena - the beasts are prepared
Into the Arena
Lock your door the Priest is Coming
Beware of All the Parsons
Today it's all different
A daring contention
They talk about love and forgiving
But still they are hunting
Now we are the victims
Maybe they are evious for our living
Sacrifice their life for a lie
A thousand sheep have come to die
Down the thumb there's no remorse
It's the time for martyres
Into the Arena - go down
Into the Arena - show-down now
Into the Arena - the beasts are prepared
Into the Arena
05 Uaschitschun (04:53)
No more eagles gonna ride the wind
Turning circles in the sky
Badlands growing and the bison's gone
Uaschitschun tell me why
Why'd you kill my creed
Claiming earth and wind
You never kept your vow
But you can't lock me in
I'm riding free
Riding free with the wind
Free as an eagle
Proud as a king
My mother's the earth and my father's the wind
You can't possess them, they are free
It's time for you to see what you have done
Can't hold my soul cause I will flee
Why you kill yourself
Ravage what you need to live
You can't eat your gold
Nature's calling you
07 Conquistadores (04:49)
Exploring the seas to conquer new lands
Troops arrayed by the church
Sanctified and blessed they set out
Crusaders, gentiles' scourge
They fight, they kill, they rape
Under the banner of the 'holy' church
They hunt, they lie, they cheat, thry steal
Doing dirty deeds under churchbell's peal
Conquistadores -
- Hungry for gold, doing as the religious madman told
Conquistadores -
- Religion's knight, havoc and death caused by pride
Pearls of glass for ingets of gold
Violence, force and deceit
Taking the wealth or the Indian's life
Their way of feeding their greed
Heathen must turn to Christianity
It's like 'believe or die'
Arrogance and blindless, religion's force
Believers never ask the reason why
08 Blown to Kingdom Come (03:19)
Out in the world you can watch'em struggling
For a small piece of luck
They won't die with a smile on their trace
For possession they'd kill their mothers
For some bucks they deny themselves
And the whole world is right in that trace
They are Riding Forth
No time to lose
Got to alter every place
They are Riding Forth
No way to choose
And the next step's out to space
With a high hand they watch their buildings
Self-righteously praise their deeds
No time for recess on their way
In a way it is quite amusing
But it's afake of deepest dye
Let's hope they'll see it one day
They are Riding Forth
No time to lose
Got to alter every place
They are Riding Forth
No way to choose
And the next step's out to space
Pay Attention to History
Look at All the Things They've Done
No Remains, There's No Thing Left
It's All Blown to Kingdom Come
11 Calico Jack (08:16)
Up with the roger, the vessel is close
Cannons are loaded, the weapons prepared
Set up more sails, the distance grows
They try to escape but we shan't care
Calico Jack Listen and hear my command
Calico Jack I lead you to victory
Calico Jack We shall win in the end
Calico Jack You may believe what I foresee
Down with the roger, the vessel's too far
It's time for the flag, no remorse
Anne and Mary, more rum in my jar
I need more refreshment, before we set course
Changing the course now, we must fet in touch
Triple afford, he must not escape
Our breath in their neck, they feel our grudge
We have to hurry, to get them in scrape
Fight
Acrid smell of smoke in the air
While flag's rising, mainmast breaks
Ears go deaf by my brother's blare
Upper deck is taken over
All of sudden, a yelling cry
Ports turn open, what a mess
Soldiers get out, comrades die
Desperate fights, we're on the loose
[THE JUDGE]
John Rackham
You are charged with murder and piracy of the high seas
In the name of Her Majesty you will be taken from this court
And hung, drawn and quartered
What are your last words, accused?
[CALICO JACK]
My last words? Ha ha!!!
Who do you think you are?!
What right have you to judge over my destiny?!
Take your pompous words and stick'em where the sun don't shine
I swear we meet again
Bye
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Other reviews
By Harlan
"‘Port Royal’ is a little gem of heavy metal from start to finish!"
"For all lovers of classic Heavy Metal, albums of this caliber are life."
