In 1976 a group was formed in Hamburg. At first it was called Granite Hearts. The band consisted of Rolf Kasparek (vocalist, guitarist), Uwe Bendig (guitarist), Michael Hofmann (drummer) and Jörg Schwarz (bassist). Two years later, the band decided to replace bassist and drummer with Matthias Kaufmann and Hasch. In 1979, the musicians decided to change the band's name to Running Wild.
The band wrote their first demo, which was composed and performed by Uwe Bendig, although Kasparek was the vocalist. Olaf Schumann became the manager. Also in 1981, the musicians played at their concert in a small town near Hamburg.
After several shows, the band decided to record their songs in the studio, and two of them ended up on the Debüt No. 1. Soon Bendig and Kaufmann left the group Running Wild, who were replaced by Pricher and Stefan Boriss. In 1983, the band announced itself at the Taichwig festival and released a trial CD Heavy Metal Like a Hammerblow.
With their music, the group interested the company NOISE. The team signed an agreement with the label and immediately recorded the compositions Adrian and Chains & Leather on the Rock From Hell compilation.
"Promotion" of the group Running Wild
In 1984, the band wrote two Iron Heads songs, Bonesto Ashes, which were included in the historical Death Metal compilation. Soon after, the musicians recorded their full-fledged debut CD Gates to Purgatory, the singles from which hit the charts in different countries. The team performed with the groups Grave Digger and Sinner. And a year later, their joint work was included in the Metal Attack Vol. 1.
They continued to perform on the stages of major cities in Germany, conquering new listeners. Preacher later decided to leave show business and left the line-up, replaced by Mike Moti. And in 1985, the band released the album Branded and Exiled. With this album, Running Wild became one of the most popular heavy metal bands in Germany.
At the end of the year, the musicians created the Metal Attack Vol. 1, in support of which the musicians went on tour and headlined the rock band Mötley Crüe. With her, the team performed for the first time with concerts outside their country, appearing in France, Switzerland and England.
With Celtic Frost, musicians from Running Wild went to the States and made themselves known in eight major US cities. Also in 1986, they recorded an album with producer Dirk Steffens in Hamburg. The result of the group leader was not satisfied, and he himself took up the "promotion" of the group. Thus, in 1987, listeners saw the new album Under Jolly Roger, in which the group appeared as a pirate.
After numerous concerts and festivals, the drummer Hasch and Stefan Boriss left the band. Their places were taken by Stefan Schwarzmann and Jens Becker. The group toured both in their native country and in European countries. But in 1987, drummer Stefan Schwarzmann left for another band, he was replaced by Ian Finley.
This was followed by the release of Ready for Boarding with live recordings, which received the highest score from Kerrang! magazine.
"Pirates" in action
In the autumn of the same year, the fourth album of the Port Royal group was released with an artistic cover in a pirate style. And at the same time, the first music video for the composition Conquistadores was created. Ian added special effects with fire to the video work, which became the hallmark of the group.
In 1989, the band went on a tour of Europe with a very busy schedule. At the same time, the fan club of the "pirates" began active work, which even launched a magazine about their idols.
The fifth disc Deathor Glory was released in the same year, which for a long time occupied a leading position in the ratings. The following year, Ian was replaced by Jörg Michael, with whom the now classic maxi-single Wild Animal was recorded. In support of the album, the band embarked on a tour, which became an enchanting success. After numerous performances, Mike Moti left the lineup. They hired Axl Morgan instead, and AC as the drummer.
In 1991, the sale of the Blazon Stone disc was launched, which had significant success and corruption. The cover art was created by Andreas Marshall. He also produced several previous albums. Then there was a series of tours and performances, after which the group took a break.
More new records
The seventh album Pile of Skulls was released in 1992. And the line-up already included Schwartzmann and bassist Thomas Smushinsky. A year later, the guys organized a small tour. In it, the musicians appeared as pirates, creating a show on stage with scenery and special effects.
Then came the song The Privateer and the record Black Hand Inn with new guitarist Tilo Herrmann (Electrola label). This was followed by tours in support of the album in Germany. In 1995, the ninth album Masquerade was written on the basis of NOISE. After a tour in Germany and Switzerland, the 20-year-old band took a vacation.
Two years later, the old line-up gathered to record new compositions. And in 1998 the album The Rivalry was released. The last track was written under the influence of Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace". In 2000, the 11th studio album Victory was released. He became the final in a trilogy of records with the idea of the struggle between good and evil.
Lineup change for Running Wild
The musicians gradually left the line-up, and the founder tried to create material for the next album. Matthias Liebetruth took over as drummer, and Bernd Auferman became guitarist. With the new line-up, the disc The Brotherhood was written, which became very successful in 2002. In 2003, the anniversary compilation 20 Years In History was released, which was warmly received by the "fans".
The following year, the release of the next record and a tour of European countries was planned. But it was canceled, and the head was completely engaged in the creation of a new project. The album Roguesen Vogue was released in 2005 by GUN Records and became the band's 13th disc.
End of an era?
In 2007, there were rumors that the head of the band was playing in another project under a different name. And in 2009, he announced the dissolution of the group Running Wild and promised to organize a farewell concert in the music show Wacken Open Air. Only two years later a CD was released with a recording of this concert.
However, at the end of 2011, the bandleader decided to return to the stage with his musicians. At that time, he had already created material for the next record. In 2012, the full-fledged album Shadowmaker was released, which became very popular and the most productive in the history of the group.
