Review Summary: #ruining your reputation is a bitch
After splitting up back in 2009, it was clear that Running Wild left off on a decent note with
Rogues en Vogue as their ‘last’ official album. In 2011 Rock 'n' Rolf decided he had to say something else with his already impressive 30 year career in the speed metal department; Pirate speed metal none-the-less. To many people, a reunion of Running Wild was a god send. What could possibly go wrong from a prolific heavy metal band, especially a German one? From some guy in Germany or someone else who may live in the conservative belt of America; everyone thought it Running Wild was going to produce yet another awesome speed metal album that they can respectively add into their catalogue. Unfortunately, Running Wild trolls everyone’s expectations with a nail scratching a chalkboard.
“Piece of the Action” starts off this monstrosity with what seems to be a progressive approach of hard-rock that has potential of building up on itself, but instead falls short by staying consistent with nothing innovative. The same can be said about the following song, “Riding on the Tide”, even though it lacks any characterizations of speed metal, however it does maintain consistency by being too radio friendly; therefore creating an overly catchy single that ends on decent note, something fans aren’t usually accustom to - mainly due to the fact that Running Wild have always been outgoing with their Pirate brand of speed metal, but not in this case. Even if “I Am Who I Am”, has classic-esque Running Wild riffs it still falls short of being a classic Running Wild song, because it lacks Pirate based themes lyrically, as well as an energetic vibe that is usually associated with their material. Even the following songs regress in emotion, creativity, speed metal, Pirate themed lyrics, dull vocals, and worst of all: a general diagnosis of being
untrve.
After a generic and bland start that’s been defiled by hard-rock tendencies. There is some light at the end of the tunnel. That light is named “Shadowmaker”, and it’s actually one of the better songs performed off of the album. Unfortunately, that light fades away pretty quickly on the following up songs. Hell, even the so called implied epic,
Dracula, shows terrible musicianship. However, we can say one good thing about Running Wild’s trveness, and that’s their raw production quality along with a ***ty album cover, and their drum machine programming with the alias of Angelo Sasso.
In conclusion,
Shadowmaker is an extremely boring album that has dire potential of tarnishing the rest of Running Wild’s future releases, or even their past releases. Personally, I hope that the album is just a bump in the road for these guys for being quiet with new material in 7 years. In the end there still can be optimism, for all we know
Shadowmaker metaphorically could be shaking the dust off, but the odds against Running Wild’s future releases weighing overwhelmingly against them.
Best tracks (even though it's not saying much):
Shadowmaker
Riding the Tide
Piece of the action
