Running Wild
The Rivalry

THE REVIEW

The "metal pirates" led by the rough and essential Rolf Kasparek have always produced excellent albums in their career, which have rarely (if ever) disappointed the legion of fans the band has garnered over the years. Raw and powerful music, no pointless virtuosity, a true rocker attitude, a piratical look: characteristics that have ensured Running Wild a place among the Olympians of German metal, particularly in the 80s.

Founded in the distant 1979 by the frontman and main composer Rolf Kasparek, initially inspired by fellow Germans Scorpions and later also by Grave Digger, they managed to release 13 studio albums before disbanding last year on their thirtieth anniversary. "The rivalry" came out in 1998 and follows by three years the decent "Masquerade," which had shown the first signs of the "pirates"' decline. Fortunately, with this tenth album, the German band recovers from the slight misstep of the previous record, bringing to light 13 heavy metal songs in every sense. From the sharp guitars to Rolf's evocative voice, "resting" on lyrics primarily inspired by sea legends. So, zero innovation, but by now, we are accustomed to it with the Teutonic group. Despite this, they manage (like few other bands) to engage the listener, even though using the elements that for many years had made them famous in the European metal underground.

After the inevitable intro (actually the best of the band), the Teutons hit us with all their desire to make music in songs of pure incandescent metal, like the title track or the very energetic "Firebreather". But Running Wild gives their best in more studied compositions such as the extraordinary "Return of the dragon" and the seafaring "Ballad of William Kidd", long and epic, in pure Running Wild style. Two mid-tempo tracks to which are unfortunately added typical "filler" songs like "Resurrection" and "Agents of black". The limitation of this album lies precisely in the alternation between excellent tracks and others of a lesser level, which decrease the overall pathos of the work. Furthermore, the second part of the plot decreases in interest and quality compared to the first 6/7 songs. Indeed, the aggressive "The poison", "Adventure Galley", and "Man on the moon" add little or nothing to the career of the German band.

The rivalry thus sounds like a good album that could have been, but wasn’t. The reflection of the little success obtained with the previous "Masquerade" is felt and will be felt especially in the future when the creation of "Rock and Rolf" will face a slow and inexorable musical decline, culminating in the latest works. Although they are certainly not the most original band in the metal scene and despite never having broadened their musical horizons, Running Wild has the great merit of consistency. In a period when various musical realities turned their faces to gain as much as possible from the record market, these Germans have always followed their stream of thought and have played honest and battling heavy metal on stages throughout Europe.

1. "March Of The Final Battle" (1:59)
2. "The Rivalry" (5:36)
3. "Kiss Of Death" (3:39)
4. "Firebreather" (4:04)
5. "Return Of The Dragon" (6:48)
6. "Resurrection" (4:48)
7. "Ballad Of William Kidd" (8:47)
8. "Agents Of Black" (3:59)
9. "Fire And Thunder" (7:34)
10. "The Poison" (4:41)
11. "Adventure Galley" (4:20)
12. "Man On The Moon" (4:51)
13. "War And Peace" (7:44)