Running Wild

Every metal band seeks to define its own universe, in addition to its own musical particularity. Germany's Running Wild have developed an imagery of pirates and freebooters, worthy of Pirates of the Caribbean. Running Wild is especially popular in Germany, and teases out a heavy metal sound that veers towards speed metal. Formed in 1976, Running Wild made their debut in 1984 with Gates to Purgatory , and reached their peak with Port Royal in 1988. 1998's The Rivalry reached the top twenty of the German sales charts. The band's popularity continued with Rogues en Vogue, their last studio album, in 2005. In 2009, Running Wild frontman Rolf Kasparek announced the band's split, which took effect after a final concert in front of over one hundred thousand spectators at the Wacken Open Air Festival in July 2009. This performance is released on DVD and CD in July 2011 under the title The Final Jolly Roger. The band reformed the same year, releasing Shadowmaker in 2012. Resilient in 2013, Rapid Foray (No. 2 in Germany) in 2016 and Blood On Blood in 2021 complete a colorful discography.