Running Wild-Resilient

SPV GmbH
2013

Resilient seems to be a fitting word in regards to Running Wild these days. More or less a solo project of Rolf "Rock 'n' Rol" Kasparek (vocals, guitars and bass), with the only other musician that seems to be credited on the group's 15th studio album being guitarist Peter Jordan (who is also a songwriter, composer, producer and studio-guitarist who currently plays in Giant X and Toxic Taste), Running Wild keeps on keeping on as evident by the (surprising strong) "Resilient". As for the drums? I haven't got a clue. But then again these two musicians, who also play together in Giant X, seem to have stumbled upon the fountain of youth as Running Wild sounds straight-up revitalized! The album's opening number, the solid "Soldiers Of Fortune", sets the mood and comes off as a nod towards older, more classic Running Wild while the album's closing number, the very cool "Bloody Island" (which is nearly 10 minutes long!), finds Rolf and Peter exploring epic metal territory and having a hell of a lot of fun with it to boot! In between those two cuts there's a lot to like about the groups 15th full-length release and even if it's just the two of them, as it's anyone's guess as to who or what handled the drum parts here on "Resilient", Rolf and Peter make the best of it and have created a rather full and rich sound. As the album is a bit more well-designed and better-executed then 2012's "Shadowmaker" it's easy enough to recommend this one to both fans and casual listeners alike. While it might not be the best album that Rolf and company have ever ever released it's still a good album and a sure-fire sign that there is still life to be found in this old pirate metal band even after all these years.