Still rocking and still plundering
German heavy-metallers Running Wild don’t seem to be showing any signs of stopping after 40 years of service to their genre. Their first full-length record, Gates to Purgatory, came out in ‘84, and since then the band hasn’t quit, with only a short temporary split-up between 2009 and 2011. Running Wild, alongside bands like Helloween, are the embodiment of old-school metal, and pushing on to keep the sound alive after so many years. Though they may not have the worldwide notoriety of legacy acts like Judas Priest, Running Wild has certainly made its mark on the metal world, including laying the groundwork for the very controversial subgenre of “pirate metal.”
Running Wild is still pumping out releases on a regular schedule, and for 2016 they’ve bestowed upon audiences their newest record, Rapid Foray. For a group of guys pushing through their 50’s, it looks like they’re all aging pretty well, as their level of energy and enthusiasm hasn’t managed to dissipate. The music on Rapid Foray is a time capsule that embodies the ’80s heavy metal scene, with all the power and force that made it so groundbreaking at the time. Since only the big legacy acts are still carrying around the torch for this kind of music, it’s important that bands like Running Wild stick around to keep the genre alive with quality new releases.
Rapid Foray is, at its core, just a good old-fashioned heavy metal record. Its chock full of old school metal riffs that bring back a time when tight leather pants and metal studs ruled the scene. Even the production values seem to be reminiscent of an earlier time, going for a warmer, well-rounded sound, instead of the overly-compressed brightness of modern metal recordings in the digital age.
The nautical pirate theme mixed with folk-style melodies are what makes Running Wild such a fun band to listen to. The “pirate metal” subgenre has been rather controversial for years, as most critics tend to claim that the only difference in the music is the lyrical subject matter. The same is often said of “Viking metal,” which is often attached to bands like Amon Amarth, with critics claiming they’re just a melodic death metal band with Viking-themed lyrics. In defense of Running Wild, their music definitely incorporates several melodic themes that are reminiscent of what’s often associated with “pirate music.” Then again, critics could also argue that what modern audiences associate with pirate music is often just themes borrowed from European folk music. But in the end, why does it matter? Whatever category they get put under is irrelevant as long as they continue to push out quality music, and Rapid Foray is just another solid entry to their catalog.
For younger audiences, Rapid Foray might feel a bit too outdated at first. Running Wild is a far cry from what modern metal audiences are used to hearing, but it would be a huge mistake to write them off. Their tight musicianship and solid songwriting skills set a great example for younger musicians who could stand to gain a little wisdom from their elders. The music in Rapid Foray is great music no matter what the era is, and should be a lot of fun for both younger and old-school fans to rock out to.
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