Running Wild Albums: Worst to First
Shiver me timbers or something retarded like that. Just look at the list already. |
| 17 |  | Running Wild
Shadowmaker
Not an album you wanna come back with. A couple decent tracks, but mostly a forgettable wet fart of an album.
Best Track: Sailing Fire
Grade: F |
| 16 |  | Running Wild
Resilient
Resilient's biggest issue being almost every song is entirely forgettable. It’s fine when it’s on, but you won't remember much once it’s over. There are a handful of fun tracks, but there’s way too much filler for my liking. At least it's better than Shadowmaker.
Best Track: The Drift
Grade: D+ |
| 15 |  | Running Wild
Rogues en Vogue
Apparently this album sucks? I don’t know about that one guys... It’s definitely on the generic side, but there are some really solid cuts on here. Also, the production sounds fine. Unremarkable? Sure, but it ain't bad.
Best Track: Draw the Line
Grade: C- |
| 14 |  | Running Wild
Rapid Foray
Not quite the return to form the band needed, but it is a marked improvement. The two albums that came before it weren’t bad; but this is a noticeable step away from the bland songwriting that infested the 2 previous releases.
Best Track: Rapid Foray
Grade: C- |
| 13 |  | Running Wild
The Brotherhood
Now we’ve reached the “good but not great” section of Running Wild albums. I like ‘The Brotherhood’ just fine, I just like most of their other albums a bit more. It gets the job done, but doesn’t go above and beyond at any point.
Best Track: Crossfire
Grade: C |
| 12 |  | Running Wild
Gates to Purgatory
A solid debut from a band that didn’t really have much of an identity yet. If a combination of Judas Priest and Exciter sounds like your cup of tea, this might just do the trick.
Best Track: Preacher
Grade: C+ |
| 11 |  | Running Wild
Masquerade
While I’d argue Masquerade is the worst RW of the 90’s, I still do enjoy it quite a bit. At least it tried doing something different, even if it didn’t totally work. At the end of the day, it’s a 90’s Running Wild album, so it's still pretty good. Some really nasty, filthy, disgusting riffs on here.
Best Track: Rebel at Heart
Grade: B- |
| 10 |  | Running Wild
Blazon Stone
BLAZON STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!
Best Track: Blazon Stone
Grade: B- |
| 9 |  | Running Wild
Branded and Exiled
While they still hadn’t found their signature sound quite yet, Branded and Exiled does contain hints of what was to come in the future. A marked improvement over the debut, and surprisingly underrated.
Best Track: Gods of Iron
Grade: B |
| 8 |  | Running Wild
Under Jolly Roger
This is the album that finally introduced listeners to their trademark sound and lyricism. Under Jolly Roger may not be their strongest effort, but it is arguably the most important in their entire discography. If you were trying to get somebody into RW, this would be a decent starting point.
Best Track: War In the Gutter
Grade: B+ |
| 7 |  | Running Wild
Pile of Skulls
Pile of Skulls sees Running Wild getting pissed and releasing the heaviest record of their career. At this point the band was a force to be reckoned with, and POS sent a message that they showed no signs of slowing down. If I have one gripe it would probably be the noticeable lack of catchy hooks; but album riffs so hard it doesn’t really matter.
Best Track: Pile of Skulls
Grade: B+ |
| 6 |  | Running Wild
Blood on Blood
I am honestly shocked by how great this album is. Blood on Blood is the comeback their previous 3 albums just couldn’t achieve. I shit you not, this is JUST as good as their classic output.
Best Track: The Shellback
Grade: A- |
| 5 |  | Running Wild
Victory
If there’s one album in Running Wild’s discography that is in serious need of re-evaluation, it’s this beast right here. While the approach may come off as a bit tame in comparison to previous releases, the aggression is compensated for by an abundance of infectious hooks and a treasure trove of catchy riffs. If there’s one gripe I have, it’s that it starts with the weakest track on the album. Polished, accessible, focused, and tons of fun; Victory is indeed a victory.
Best Track: When Time Runs Out
Grade: A- |
| 4 |  | Running Wild
Death or Glory
Really really solid shit right here. Many consider this album to be the band’s magnum opus, and while I can definitely understand why people feel this way, I wouldn’t go as far as to call it their best. It doesn’t quite reach all killer no filler territory, but it comes pretty damn close.
Best Track: Bad to the Bone
Grade: A |
| 3 |  | Running Wild
The Rivalry
Yet another underappreciated classic in RW discography. This is the last truly “classic” sounding record they released for a long time, and they ended that saga with a bang. The riffs are monstrous, the choruses are anthemic, and the energy is through the roof. Alongside Under Jolly Roger, I’d say this is a good starting point for anyone looking to get into the band.
Best Track: Return of the Dragon
Grade: A |
| 2 |  | Running Wild
Port Royal
I’d consider Port Royal to be the point where the band perfected their sound. They took the blueprints laid out by Jolly Roger, and improved upon them in every way possible. I used to think pirates were lame as fuck, but this album made me a believer. Pirates are cool now, and it's all thanks to Running Wild.
Best Track: Blown to Kingdom Come
Grade: A |
| 1 |  | Running Wild
Black Hand Inn
Dear God, this album has a serious case of the fucking RIFFS. Hands down my favorite Running Wild release.
Best Track: Powder and Iron
Grade: A+ |
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