It’s 1979 in Hamburg, Germany, at the height of the great European metal scene. A new band, Running Wild, forms and plans their strategy joining the race and running not too far behind bands like Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Scorpions, and Judas Priest.
Rolf "Rock'n'Rolf" Kasparek, lead vocals and guitar, Peter “JP” Jordan, guitar, Michael Wolpers, drums, and Ole Hempelmann on bass make up the heart pounding, fist pumping, electrifying fury that has fueled them these thirty-odd years. Now with the new release, Rapid Foray, Running Wild is doing just what their name calls them to do.
Thrash movements: ”Black Skies, Red Flag” and “Warmonger” get the blood flowing. “Stick to Your Guns” digs deep into straight rock & blues rhythms while the title track, “Rapid Foray”, pumps out old school metal with a blazing solo. “By the Blood in Your Heart” gets back to rock roots with its big anthem and loud snare hits, suspended chording and gang vocals in the chorus - not to forget the ear splitting guitar solo. The instrumental, “The Depth of the Sea (Nautilus),” showcases the guitar players’ talents and the tightness of the rhythm section. “Black Bart” and “Hellectrified” put things back in their heavy metal place as “Blood Moon Rising” serves up a hot plate of speed metal. “Into the West” goes right back to the in-your-face pure metal sound.
Running Wild
Rapid Foray
(Steamhammer)
Written by: Tim Duran
10 out of 10
As Rapid Foray comes to an end, it sounds like it’s a typical ballad with the soft narrative and melodic intro. Not so! “The Last of the Mohicans” doesn’t pussyfoot around. It’s mellow for about two minutes; then hold on, because this time around the instrumental is faster and intense. This is the perfect way to end a Running Wild record.
There are no downsides to this album, the upsides, however; are the arrangements, musicianship, songwriting, and execution. The old school metal sound will never get old as long as there are bands like Running Wild to keep it alive. I give Rapid Foray a quick 10.
Tim Duran, HMS
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