Running Wild’s new ‘Shadowmaker’ studio album released April 23rd on SPV

***German Power Metal Legends’ Brand New ‘Shadowmaker’ Studio Album Released April 23rd On Steamhammer / SPV***

German Power Metal flagship Running Wild, who invented the unique ‘Pirate Metal’ genre a quarter of a century ago, have signed to Steamhammer / SPV worldwide to release their brand new album, ‘Shadowmaker’ on April 23rd.

‘Shadowmaker’, the first new studio album since 2005’s ‘Rogues On Vogue’ release, contains ten mighty slabs of irresistibly catchy, crunching guitar-riff driven power metal, all topped with founder Rock’n’Rolf’s distinctive, swashbuckling vocals. Particular highlights include strident party anthems such as ‘Piece Of The Action’ and ‘Me And The Boys’, the dark trilogy of ‘Black Shadow, ‘Shadowmaker’ and ‘Into The Black’, which focus on the alarming state of the world, the piratical ‘Riding On The Tide’ and ‘Sailing Fire’, or the autographical ‘I Am Who I Am’.

‘Shadowmaker’ will be available as a black jewel case CD (over printed with silver), containing a 40 minute bonus DVD documenting the making of the album, with commentary on each of the ten new songs. ‘Shadowmaker’ will also be released as a double gatefold (clear vinyl) LP with printed inner sleeves, and as a limited edition box set containing the double vinyl LP, the jewel case + DVD, a poster, sticker, postcard and a 30 page booklet.

Running Wild, who were at the forefront of the new wave of power metal (NWOPM) bands emerging from Continental Europe in the early 80’s, debuted in 1984 with ‘Gates Of Purgatory’, swiftly followed by ‘Branded and Exiled’ in 1985, both heavily featuring satanic themes and imagery. A support slot with Motley Crue in 1986 gave Running Wild a leg up on other European metal bands and led to a US tour soon after.

Running Wild then re-invented themselves for 1987’s ‘Under Jolly Roger’ album, adopting an outlandish pirate image in keeping with the title, and injecting jig-like rhythms and buccaneering vocals to massive effect. ‘Under The Jolly Roger’ broke the group with metal audiences across the world, and Running Wild went on to release ten more extremely well received studio albums, focused on historical subjects, conspiracy theories and the fight between good and evil, finally culminating with 2005’s ‘Rogues On Vogue’ LP.

Rock’n’Rolf Kasparek, vocalist, guitarist and mastermind of Running Wild, then stepped back and took time out to clear his head plus recharge his musical batteries and inspiration. He states that “Without the break following ‘Rogues En Vogue’ and my detour via other projects, I wouldn’t have found my way back to Running Wild. A routine had crept in which I didn’t really like any more. I had to put an end to Running Wild to get a clear head again. This was the only way to write an album as laid-back and passionate as ‘Shadowmaker’.”

The production team of Niki and Katherina Nowy plus Kasparek’s long-time friend Peter Jordan allowed Rock’n’Rolf to wholly concentrate on just composing the captivating songs and riveting guitar riffs on ‘Shadowmaker’. Kasparek reflects that “On ‘Rogues On Vogue’, I also acted as a producer and sound engineer. This time around, those time consuming tasks were taken off my shoulders, which freed me to take care of a lot of important things… We’ve also developed in terms of vocals – no other Running Wild album has featured the kind of choirs that ‘Shadowmaker’ does. In my opinion the result is one of the best albums I’ve ever written.”

Obscurer – Roland Hyams – roland@workhardpr.com / 020 8677 8466 / 07768 156392.
www.running-wild.de www.spv.de