Running Wild--Black Hand Inn

Running Wild--Black Hand Inn (1994) Rating--9.0

Rock'n Rolf is back with another blast of straight up, sea-faring speed metal. In the likes of other European power bands Rage, classic Iron Maiden, and ultra-heavy Helloween, Running Wild have stamped themselves into the hallways of some of metal's finest moments. While RW isn't a household name here in the States, their success has become colossal in their German homeland. It's time to visit your favorite mail-order import disc catalogs and look these guys up.
RW have always had a piracy or medieval feel to their lyrics, and excellent chops to boot. 'Black Hand Inn' is no exception...
The court-set intro "The Curse" sets the play in action before bursting into the fast-paced title track. Excellent riffs and double bass drape this metal milestone throughout. Things really get moving around track four, "Souless," and never let go right through the track "Freewind Rider". "Privateer" cracks in full speed ahead with Rage-like precision, making it one of the tightest on the disc. "Fight The Fire Of Hate" is one of the only mid-tempo tracks on board, with its fist pounding rhythm and catchy chorus march. Each chorus has some kind of gripping riff or excellent melody, sure to make it stick to your brain all day.
Straight ahead riffs, having almost an early Judas Priest feel with tighter drumming. Imagine if drummer Scott Travis had played on those early Priest albums!...
Just solid, solid speed metal bliss. Jump ship and get your greedy little swashbuckling hands on this one, boys and girls...
TRACK LIST: The Curse/Black Hand Inn/Mr. Deadhead/Soulless/The Privateer/ Fight The Fire Of Hate/The Phantom of Black Hand Hill/Freewind Rider/ Powder & Iron/Dragonmen/Genesis (The Making and the Fall of Man)/Poisoned Blood

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