Running Wild

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Hamburg, Germany (1976 – 2009, 2011 – present)

Running Wild is one band from a wave of German Heavy metal bands to emerge in the early/mid 1980s (along with Helloween, Rage, Blind Guardian, Grave Digger, etc). The music they play is a mixture of heavy and speed metal. The band has carved its niche in the metal world as the first “pirate metal” band, a theme which took off with the release of Under Jolly Roger in 1987. The band played their farewell show at the Wacken Open Air 2009, for which setlist fans voted for. In October 2011 Rolf officially announced the comeback including a new studio album called “Shadowmaker” due in April 2012.

In 1976 a new school band called Granite Heart was established in Hamburg, Germany under the command of Rolf Kasparek alias Rock’n’Rolf. Granite Heart consisted of: Rock’n’Rolf (lead vocals, guitar), Uwe Bendig (guitar), Michael Hoffmann (drums) and Jörg Schwarz (bass), who was replaced by Carsten David (bass) shortly after.

Around 1979 the band was renamed as Running Wild and in 1983 they released their first demo-tape with the following line-up: Rock’n’Rolf (lead vocals, guitar), Uwe Bendig (guitar), Matthias Kaufmann (bass) and Hasche (drums).

Running Wild astonished their hometown Hamburg, Germany with heavy speed Metal and a flashy leather image, so that finally the songs Iron Heads and Bones to Ashes were published on the Death Metal compilation by NOISE in 1984. Under the same label their debut album Gates to Purgatory was released in the same year and sold not less than 20.000 units in the first three months. The record climbed the german metal-charts and with the 12” maxi Victim of States Power there was a nice little metal goodie thrown onto the market.
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  • Spritz_Odeur

    I love you <3 <3 <3

    46 minutes ago
  • krzaczek5

    jak można nagrać wszystkie albumy o piratach :D

    Saturday evening
  • TheJudasMaster

    Soldiers of Hell <3

    Saturday morning
  • Nordschein

    "Gates to Purgatory" & Branded & Exiled" <3

    last week
  • Hoetzendorf

    посоны, он сказал по пшекски ЗАЕБИСЬ)))

    last week
  • Zyd666

    ZAJEBIŚCI W CHUJ !!!

    13 days ago
  • Traczu95

    Under Jolly Roger ! ;)

    16 days ago
  • KeIemvor

    They aren't done though. They (or more like Rolf) came back and the new album called Shadowmaker is due in April.

    17 days ago
  • Arcasto

    Even tough I'm a huge fan of Running Wild I'm kind of relieved that they are done - the couple last albums were... well, not that good (to not use verb "suck").

    17 days ago
  • wasp-man

    Best German Metal Band! Running Wild!!!!

    17 days ago
  • cikbuds10

    Someone is having fun: http://cikbuds10rockarolla.tumblr.com/post/14808507214/running-wild-swimming-1985-usa-tour

    23 days ago
  • Slesar-int

    http://www.lastfm.ru/music/Shit+rave

    last month
  • Lionheartattack

    Yeah, not necessary speaking of Running Wild, but in general. :/ Love especially Port Royal and Black Hand Inn! Of all the RW covers I can think, only Rogues en Vogue and The Rivalry have the cliched "power metal covers" that I'm so fed up with.

    last month
  • KeIemvor

    To which covers exactly are you refering with "digital-looking, plastic, Derek Riggs-like "traditional metal covers""? Surely not of the likes of Black Hand Inn or Masquerade, right?

    last month
  • Lionheartattack

    Mmh, me too. I'm sick and tired of those digital-looking, plastic, Derek Riggs-like "traditional metal covers". Simplicity like this is very welcome for a change!

    last month
  • OutBreakOfEvil2

    I actually like the cover.

    last month
  • onagrin

    leeaaaaad or goooold

    last month
  • ArcTheseus

    why is Mazinger Z on the cover?

    last month
  • teh_prowlar

    dafuq? this pic even worse than rogues' cover

    last month
  • KeIemvor

    Well, hope the album won't be as bad as it's cover [4]

    last month
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