Running Wild - "Diamonds & Pearls" (lyric video)

Setting all gear, no doubt and no fear
Trailblazers stories were told
Sliding the waves that cover the graves
Of seamen and ships in the cold

Loading the guns to fire all at once
Whatever will be or will come

On to the fair winds that lead through the sea
Looking out for rich, easy prey
Flying the flag whatever will be
On the hunt for...

Diamonds & pearls are ruling the world
Silver & gold are a pleasure to hold
Diamonds & pearls attracting the girls
Ruling the fire of passion and greed in your eyes

The greed is still on, sons of the gun
Full speed ahead for the treasure
Craftsmanship´s on, followed by fun
Wildest banquets for pleasure

On to the fair winds that lead through the sea
Looking out for rich, easy prey
Flying the flag whatever will be
On the hunt for...

Diamonds & pearls are ruling the world
Silver & gold are a pleasure to hold
Diamonds & pearls attracting the girls
Ruling the fire of passion and greed in your eyes

Δισκογραφική επιστροφή για τους Running Wild μετά από ουσιαστικά πέντε χρόνια. (Μετά το "Rapid Foray" του 2016 κυκλοφόρησαν μόνο συλλογές, singles, ένα ep κι ένα split μαζί με τους Sodom - αλλά όχι full length album.) Ο 19ος "ολοκληρωμένος" δίσκος των Γερμανών πειρατών τιτλοφορείται "Blood on Blood" κι αναμένεται στα τελειώματα του δεύτερου φθινοπωρινού μήνα...

Δελτίο τύπου: «There are plenty of reasons why Rock'n'Rolf Kasparek is so happy with 'Blood On Blood'.

Says Rolf: "We all know the difficulties the cultural sector was faced with during the lockdown. On the other hand, it also gave me and many other artists some extra time since most releases had to be postponed. I used that time to fine-tune every little detail of my new material. The result is an album that in my opinion is probably the best in Running Wild's career to date. Every one of the ten songs sounds exactly as I had it in mind when I composed it. I've never been happier with any Running Wild album before."

So, with no further details available at this point, fans of the German Metal legend can look forward to 29 October 2021, when 'Blood On Blood' will be out on Steamhammer / SPV. Those who can't wait should mark 13 August in their diaries, when the lead single 'Diamonds & Pearls' will arrive at the digital stores, followed by the second single 'The Shellback' on 24 September 2021.

Could there be any better news for Running Wild disciples? Well, possibly the news below, which will also reveal some of the aforementioned details: Rolf justly describes 'Blood On Blood' as the most diverse offering he has released so far, not only in terms of the compositions but also as far as the production is concerned.

"Every song has its own unmistakable sound", explains the captain. "Although I recorded the rhythm guitar parts with my 1976 Gibson Explorer as usual, the other parts were cut with a Gibson Flying V, a Fender Stratocaster and even - the undistorted parts - with a Fender American Standard Telecaster".

A prime example being 'One Night, One Day', which owes its great depth to its clean guitar performance. Rolf is referring to a song that is guaranteed to cause a stir with its anthemic direction and unusual arrangements: "For me, this track was a little experiment that I've never dared to try before, because 'One Night, One Day' doesn't have the typical intro-verse-chorus structure, instead gradually building up throughout the song".

The grooving 'The Iron Times (1618 - 1648)', a worthy Running Wild album finale, is just as remarkable, with its eleven minutes of playing time the longest track on the disc, and thanks to its lyrics about the Thirty Years' War also one of the most ambitious numbers.

Speaking of lyrics: 'Wings Of Fire' and 'Say Your Prayers' are about prophecies, albeit not - as on many other releases - the prophecies of Nostradamus, but - among others - the prophecies of John of Jerusalem, the French Knight Templar and co-founder of the Order of the Knights Templar, who predicted organ trafficking back in the Middle Ages.

Historically no less interesting, 'Crossing The Blades' sees Running Wild broach the story of the three musketeers from the 17th century, their emblem having been recreated on the cover artwork, once again designed by Jens Reinhold (Virgin Steele, Freedom Call, among others...).

Rolf: "It's a kind of hybrid between the cross of the musketeers and our mascot, Adrian."

Despite these lyrical ambitions, 'Blood On Blood' also features two "party rock numbers", as Rolf likes to refer to them: 'Wild & Free' and 'Wild, Wild Nights', which are meant to be pure fun, fulfilling their mission to a tee.

And last but not least, there's 'The Shellback', a track in typical Running Wild syle that starts with a Celtic-inspired intro, Running Wild revisiting the atmospheric seafaring theme of their 1994 classic 'Black Hand Inn', a prequel of that maritime story.

Equally characteristic of the band, which, in addition to Rolf, guitarist Peter Jordan and bassist Ole Hempelmann, has since 2019 included drummer Michael Wolpers, who contributed all the drum parts on the new disc, are the lead single 'Diamonds & Pearls' (including lyric video) and the title track, incidentally the first number Rolf wrote for the new album. Returning to the prophecy theme, you don't have to be a prophet to be able to anticipate the gleam in the eyes of all Running Wild fans.

There can be no doubt about it: 'Blood On Blood' presents Running Wild at their best!»

Band: Running Wild
Country of origin: Germany
Location: Hamburg
Formed in: 1979
Genre: Heavy/Power/Speed Metal
Lyrical themes: Pirates, History, Tales
Years active: 1976-1979 (as Granite Hearts), 1979-2009, 2011-present

Lyric video: "Diamonds & Pearls"
Video by: Ingo Spörl
Album: "Blood on Blood"
Type: Full length
Release date: October 29th, 2021
Label: Steamhammer
Format: CD, 2 12" vinyls, Digital

Track listing:
01. Blood on Blood 04:07
02. Wings of Fire 03:57
03. Say Your Prayers 05:14
04. Diamonds & Pearls 04:44
05. Wild & Free 05:28
06. Crossing the Blades 06:00
07. One Night, One Day 04:59
08. The Shellback 06:11
09. Wild, Wild Nights 04:30
10. The Iron Times (1618-1648) 10:29

Band members:
Rock 'n' Rolf - Vocals, Guitars, Bass
Peter Jordan - Guitars
Ole Hempelmann - Bass
Michael Wolpers - Drums

Miscellaneous staff: Jens Reinhold - Cover art