Running Wild
Port Royal

THE REVIEW

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!!!!!!!!!!