Running Wild (band)

The band formed in 1976 under the name Granite Heart, but they changed their name in 1979 to Running Wild after the Judas Priest song of the same name. The band recorded their first demo in 1981 and featured the songs "Hallow the Hell", "War Child" and "King of the Midnight Fire". The first two of these tracks appeared on the compilation album "Debüt №1" on the Raubbau Label. In June 1984, the band started work on their debut album, Gates to Purgatory, which was released by Noise Records, featuring satanic lyrics. The album was a success, and the band quickly gained a cult following. Guitarist Gerald "Preacher" Warnecke left the band soon after the album's release. (Warnecke was studying theology at the time and is now a pastor in Cologne.){{cite web|title=Wacken Open Air 2015 starts with Metal worship|url=http://www.evangelisch.de/inhalte/123027/22-07-2015/wacken-open-air-2015-startet-metal-gottesdienst|website=Evangelisch.de|access-date=21 November 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://kirche-suerth.de/cms/front_content.php?idcat=55|title=Ev. Gemeinde Sürth/Weiß – Kontakt|website=kirche-suerth.de|access-date=21 November 2019}} The band soon recruited Majk Moti to take his place, and soon recorded their follow-up Branded and Exiled in 1985. This album was the final release of the band with satanic imagery in their music.

For the following release, the band shifted their sound and image and adopted a pirate theme. The band released Under Jolly Roger in 1987. This would prove a significant change because the band would be more known as a "pirate metal" band, with lyrics dealing with pirates and historical events. With this album, the band found their identity, and the pirate theme would be prominent on their future releases. Their 1988 follow-up release Port Royal featured a more mature style of songwriting and expanded on the pirate theme explored on their previous album. The album featured one of the band's first epics, "Calico Jack". In 1989, the band's fifth studio recording, Death or Glory, was the band's most successful album to date.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} The tour was also a success and a concert during the tour was filmed and was released as Death or Glory Tour. This album and tour were the last to feature guitarist Majk Moti and drummer Ian Finlay.

Upon the departure of Moti and Finlay, Kasparek recruited guitarist Axel Morgan and drummer Rudiger Dreffein (better known as "AC") to record the band's first album in two years, Blazon Stone, released in 1991. The album continued the band's trend of writing about historical themes, and according to band leader Rolf Kasparek, it was the band's best-selling album of the 1990s.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} With this album, the band brought a more speed-metal approach to their songs, which would be prevalent throughout their releases during the decade. In 1992, the band began work on Pile of Skulls, which many regarded as one of the band's strongest efforts.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} Around this time, Kasparek started becoming more interested in conspiracy theories, becoming the basis of the next album, 1994's Black Hand Inn.

1995's Masquerade was the first in a trilogy of albums dealing with a specific theme. The album was one of Running Wild's worst-selling albums up to that point. The second installment was the 1998 album The Rivalry under their new label GUN Records, with the conclusion of the trilogy being 2000's Victory. It would be the final album featuring drummer Jörg Michael. With so many line-up changes, Running Wild was considered a solo project due to the fact that guitarist and main songwriter Rolf Kasparek remained the sole constant member of the band. The album The Brotherhood was released in 2002. It was another three years before Running Wild released another album, Rogues en Vogue in 2005.

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On 17 April 2009, Rolf Kasparek announced the disbandment of Running Wild. The band performed their final show at Wacken Open Air on 30 July 2009, which would be recorded for a future DVD release.{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/running-wild-its-time-to-lower-the-flag-and-take-down-the-sails-final-show-at-wacken-open-air-to-be-recorded-for-upcoming-release|title=RUNNING WILD – "IT'S TIME TO LOWER THE FLAG AND TAKE DOWN THE SAILS"; FINAL SHOW AT WACKEN OPEN AIR TO BE RECORDED FOR UPCOMING RELEASE|website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|access-date=17 April 2009}} The resulting effort, The Final Jolly Roger, was released on 24 June 2011 on CD and DVD format.{{cite web|url=https://search.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-to-release-the-final-jolly-roger-in-june/|title=RUNNING WILD To Release 'The Final Jolly Roger' In June|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=29 April 2011|access-date=29 April 2011}} In May 2011, Kasparek explained that he did not want the band to return due to other desires of his own.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-running-wild-mainman-is-not-thinking-about-possible-reunion/|title=Former RUNNING WILD Mainman Is 'Not Thinking' About Possible Reunion|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=7 May 2011|access-date=7 May 2011}} A biography, titled Death and Glory: The Story of a Heavy Metal Legend, was announced in June 2011 that was tentatively scheduled for release in 2013 or 2014, but no more information was given since then.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-death-and-glory-the-story-of-a-heavy-metal-legend-biography-cover-revealed/|title=RUNNING WILD: 'Death And Glory: The Story Of A Heavy Metal Legend' Biography Cover Revealed|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=18 June 2011|access-date=18 June 2011}} In October 2011, Running Wild reformed and announced that they would record a new album, titled Shadowmaker,{{cite web|url=http://metalriot.com/news/running-wild-reunite-and-begin-work-on-new-album/|author=Metal Dude|title=Running Wild reunite and begin work on new album|website=Metal Riot|access-date=22 October 2011}} which was released on 20 April 2012 via SPV/Steamhammer.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-shadowmaker-release-date-confirmed/|title=RUNNING WILD: 'Shadowmaker' Release Date Confirmed|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=11 November 2011|access-date=11 November 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-shadowmaker-cover-and-track-listing-revealed/|title=RUNNING WILD: 'Shadowmaker' Cover And Track Listing Revealed|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=24 January 2012|access-date=24 January 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-new-audio-interview-with-rolf-kasparek/|title=RUNNING WILD: New Audio Interview With ROLF KASPAREK|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=19 August 2012|access-date=19 August 2012}} In November 2012, Kasparek and guitarist Peter Jordan formed a side project called Giant X, releasing an album titled I in January 2013.{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/running-wild-members-launch-giant-x|title=RUNNING WILD MEMBERS LAUNCH GIANT X|website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|access-date=16 November 2012}}

The next album, Resilient, was released on 4 October 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-new-album-due-in-october/|title=RUNNING WILD: New Album Due In October|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=19 June 2013|access-date=19 June 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-resilient-track-listing-revealed/|title=RUNNING WILD: 'Resilient' Track Listing Revealed|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=11 August 2013|access-date=11 August 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-complete-resilient-album-details-revealed/|title=RUNNING WILD: Complete 'Resilient' Album Details Revealed|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=23 August 2013|access-date=23 August 2013}} The band made their return appearance at the 2015 edition of Wacken and included a new song from an upcoming album.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/next-years-wacken-open-air-festival-sells-out-in-record-12-hours/|title=Next Year's WACKEN OPEN AIR Festival Sells Out In Record 12 Hours|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=4 August 2014|access-date=4 August 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-to-perform-new-song-at-germanys-wacken-open-air/|title=RUNNING WILD To Perform New Song At Germany's WACKEN OPEN AIR|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=5 June 2015|access-date=5 June 2015}}

The sixteenth album, Rapid Foray, was released on 26 August 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-rapid-foray-album-details-revealed/|title=RUNNING WILD: 'Rapid Foray' Album Details Revealed|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=10 June 2016|access-date=10 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-lyric-video-for-new-song-black-bart/|title=RUNNING WILD: Lyric Video For New Song 'Black Bart'|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=19 August 2016|access-date=19 August 2016}}

On 6 December 2019, an EP titled Crossing the Blades was released as an early hint for a new album.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-to-release-crossing-the-blades-ep-in-december/|title=RUNNING WILD To Release 'Crossing The Blades' EP In December|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=15 October 2019|access-date=15 October 2019}}

Running Wild's seventeenth album, Blood on Blood, was released on 29 October 2021.{{cite web|url=https://metalinvader.net/running-wild-new-album-entitled-blood-on-blood-in-october/|author=Metal Invader Team|title=Running Wild: new album entitled "Blood On Blood" in October|website=Metal Invader|accessdate=5 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/running-wild-to-release-blood-on-blood-album-in-october/#:~:text=Veteran%20German%20metallers%20RUNNING%20WILD,Shellback%22%2C%20on%20September%2024.|title=RUNNING WILD To Release 'Blood On Blood' Album In October|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=30 July 2021|accessdate=30 July 2021}} Their song "Diamonds and Pearls" was elected by Loudwire as the 31st best metal song of 2021.{{cite web |last1=Al-Sharif |first1=Rabab |last2=DiVita |first2=Joe |last3=Hartmann |first3=Graham |last4=Richardson |first4=Jake |last5=Trapp |first5=Philip |last6=Summan |first6=Yasmine |title=The 35 Best Metal Songs of 2021 |url=https://loudwire.com/best-metal-songs-2021/ |website=Loudwire |publisher=Townsquare Media |access-date=December 31, 2021 |date=December 6, 2021}}

On 16 February 2023, former guitarist Michael "Majk Moti" Kupper died at the age of 65.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-running-wild-guitarist-michael-majk-moti-kupper-dead-at-65|title=Former RUNNING WILD Guitarist MICHAEL 'MAJK MOTI' KUPPER Dead At 65|website=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=18 February 2023}}

Running Wild is currently working on a new album, which is planned for release in early 2025.{{cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=54276|title=Running Wild - New Music In The Making|publisher=Metal Storm|access-date=4 June 2024|date=4 June 2024}}

• Rolf Kasparek – guitars, vocals (1976–2009, 2011–present)
• Peter Jordan – guitars (2004–2009, 2011–present)
• Ole Hempelmann – bass (2015–present)
• Michael Wolpers – drums (2015–present)

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Guitar

• Uwe Bendig (1976–1982)
• Gerald "Preacher" Warnecke (1982–1985)
• Michael "Majk Moti" Kupper (1985–1990; died 2023)
• Axel Morgan (1990–1993)
• Thilo Herrmann (1994–2001)
• Bernd Aufermann (2002–2004)

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Bass

• Jörg Schwarz (1976)
• Carsten David (1976–1979)
• Matthias Kaufmann (1979–1982)
• Stephan Boriss (1982–1987)
• Jens Becker (1987–1992)
• Thomas Smuszynski (1992–2002)
• Peter Pichl (2002–2009)
• Jan S. Eckert (2009)

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Drums

• Michael Hoffmann (1976–1979)
• Wolfgang "Hasche" Hagemann (1979–1987)
• Stefan Schwarzmann (1987–1988, 1992–1993)
• Iain Finlay (1988–1990)
• Jörg Michael (1990, 1994–1998)
• Rudiger "AC" Dreffein (1990–1992)
• Christos Efthimiadis (1998–1999, 2001)
• Angelo Sasso (2000–2002; died 2007)
• Matthias Liebetruth (2002–2009)

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;Studio albums

• Gates to Purgatory (1984)
• Branded and Exiled (1985)
• Under Jolly Roger (1987)
• Port Royal (1988)
• Death or Glory (1989)
• Blazon Stone (1991)
• Pile of Skulls (1992)
• Black Hand Inn (1994)
• Masquerade (1995)
• The Rivalry (1998)
• Victory (2000)
• The Brotherhood (2002)
• Rogues en Vogue (2005)
• Shadowmaker (2012)
• Resilient (2013)
• Rapid Foray (2016)
• Blood on Blood (2021)

;Live albums

• Ready for Boarding (1988)
• Death or Glory Tour – Live (1989)
• Live (2002)
• The Final Jolly Roger (2011)

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;Compilation albums

• The First Years of Piracy (1991)
• The Story of Jolly Roger (1998)
• The Legendary Tales (2002)
• 20 Years in History (2003)
• Best of Adrian (2006)
• Black Demons on Stage (2010)
• Greatest Hits (2011)
• Riding the Storm: Very Best of the Noise Years 1983–1995 (2016)

;Singles and EPs

• "Victim of States Power" (1984)
• "Bad to the Bone" (1989)
• "Wild Animal" (1990)
• "Little Big Horn" (1991)
• "Lead or Gold" (1992)
• "The Privateer" (1994)
• "The Rivalry" (1998)
• "Revolution" (2000)
• "Crossing the Blades" (2019)

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;DVDs

• Running Wild Live (DVD) (2002)
• The Final Jolly Roger (2011)

;Split releases

• Rock From Hell: German Metal Attack (1983)
• Death Metal (1984)
• Metal Attack Vol. 1 (1985)

;Tribute albums

• Rough Diamonds – A Tribute to Running Wild (2005) (available as a free download on the official website)
• The Revivalry – A Tribute to Running Wild (2005)
• ReUnation – A Tribute to Running Wild (2009)

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{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Running Wild}}

• {{official website|https://www.running-wild.de/}}
• {{allmusic}}
• {{discogs artist|Running Wild}}
• [http://www.noiserecords.net/artists/running-wild Running Wild] on noiserecords.net

{{Running Wild}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:German power metal musical groups

Category:German speed metal musical groups

Category:GUN Records artists

Category:Musical groups established in 1976

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2009

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2011

Category:Musical groups from Hamburg

Category:Noise Records artists

Category:Fiction about piracy

Category:Steamhammer Records artists