Running Wild '90s Albums Review

We all know the story of what happened to metal in the ‘90s. It lost much of its spotlight in favor of grunge and alternative music, while different metal sub-genres that were already in development expanded and shook up the underground. Where does that leave traditional metal and power metal? Running Wild defied all the norms of the time and continued to do what they do best throughout the ‘90s. Four of the five albums they released during that decade were re-issued by Noise Records last month, and they offered a breath of melodic fresh air when you needed a break from the more extreme or the more progressive.

Blazon Stone (1991)



The album starts with some delicious guitar melody, and gets even more entertaining when the rest of the musicians join in the fun after nearly the first minute. “Bloody Red Rose” and “Little Big Horn” are also among some of the finest cuts Rolf has ever written. Lyrical topics include the usual RW fare like history and rebellion, while “Rolling Wheels” is their version of Motorhead’s “(We Are) The Road Crew”. The biggest change in the band’s approach at this point is longer songs, or at least longer albums. This is the only Running Wild album of the ‘90s to clock in just short of fifty minutes. Their cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Genocide”, one of the re-issue’s bonus tracks, is so well done that if you’re not familiar with the original song, it’s hard to believe you’re listening to a cover. This edition has another great B-side, “Billy the Kid”, as well as a couple of versions of songs from this album re-recorded twelve years later. One of the strongest albums of their career!

Pile of Skulls (1992)



There are two unlikely departures from the RW formula that you’ll find on this album. The first is the opening instrumental, “Chamber of Lies”—a fusion of Rolf Kasparek’s usual harmonies and Celtic music. The album also concludes with an 11-minute song, “Treasure Island”. Though it’s unusually lengthy for them, it’s very well-written and the trade-off leads in the song are some of the most skillful I’ve ever heard from the band. If it’s more of the band’s best lead guitar work and most memorable hooks you’re seeking, “Lead or Gold” should stand out for you on this one. The bonus tracks, which are included on a second disc, certainly shouldn’t come as a surprise. It’s the usual re-recordings and B-sides.

Black Hand Inn (1994)



Black Hand Inn is exactly what you’ve come to expect from Running Wild, but it’s now their eighth album. It’s still worth owning, but falls short of the previous seven albums. Like Pile of Skulls, it’s memorable but redundant. The title track is very catchy and has some of the best drumming on the album besides “The Privateer”, and “Powder and Iron” is a nice kick up in the tempo department with amazing trade-off leads. Bassist Thomas Smusyznski, however, shines on “Fight the Fire of Hate”. The album has a similar opening and conclusion to Pile, with an instrumental intro with Celtic influences and a closing track that exceeds ten minutes in length. I have to say that the spoken dialogue parts of those tracks tend to be drawn out. This re-issue only has two bonus tracks, both of which are standard RW songs that were originally included on a single.

Masquerade (1995)



This album is possibly as good as Blazon Stone, and certainly my favorite album during the heavy metal dry spell of 1995. Despite bearing the exact same line-up as its predecessor, the songs are much more lively than on Black Hand Inn. Highlights include the furious speed metal title cut, “Men in Black”, and the anthemic “Rebel At Heart”. Feel free to settle for an original pressing if that’s what you find first, all you’ll find for bonus tracks are the usual two re-recorded versions of songs from the album.

To sum it up, Black Hand Inn is good, Pile of Skulls is better, but Blazon Stone and Masquerade are two of the metal masterpieces of the ‘90s and are highly recommended!

-Nick Statuto


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Tags:  Running Wild, Blazon Stone, Pile of Skulls, Black Hand Inn, Masquerade

Nick Statuto    October 22, 2017