News d'origine datant du 21 octobre 2011
Update du 25 janvier 2011 : pochette + tracklist révélées (en bas de la news) !
Serait-ce devenu une mode ? Un effet cosmique suite à un alignement des planètes ? Force est de constater que bon nombre de groupes cultes font leur retour inattendu depuis quelques temps... Après le comeb(l)ack récemment annoncé de Scorpions, voici qu'une autre légende du heavy allemand (plus underground certes) reprend du service.
Running Wild, vous connaissez ? Grand inspirateur du courant "pirate metal" (les Alestorm ou autres Swashbuckle peuvent fortement les remercier pour leurs succès actuels), cette formation menée de mains de maître par son (seul et unique) leader Rolf Kasparek (alias Rock 'n' Rolf) avait pourtant cessé ses activités en 2009 après un dernier show au Wacken Open Air et 33 ans de bons et loyaux services.
A croire que l'ami Rolf, à peine auréolé d'une cinquantaine naissante, s'ennuyait seul chez lui à ne rien faire. Alors non seulement le groupe revient... mais avec un nouvel album studio prévu le 20 avril 2012 chez Steamhammer/SPV !
Shadowmaker, tel est son titre, fera donc suite à Rogues en Vogue sorti en 2005 et proposera diverses chanson dans la plus pure tradition Running Wildienne. Parmi elles, retenons quelques titres déjà annoncés tels que "Piece of the Action", "Dracula" ou l'éponyme "Shadowmaker".
Voici ci dessous le communiqué officiel en anglais et un message vidéo enregistré par l'ami Rolf :
It’s finally official: Running Wild are back! To the delight of his countless fans, Captain Rock’n’Rolf has announced the release of the new album, Shadowmaker, seven years after Running Wild’s last studio album, Rogues En Vogue. “My comments in spring 2009 about the demise of Running Wild were absolutely serious at the time. I really needed time out and, to be honest, couldn’t imagine even in January 2011 that I would ever feel like recording a new album again,” says Rolf. “But when I had the inspiration for a best-of album, to which I wanted to contribute four new numbers, I rediscovered how much I enjoy composing. From then on it was only a small step to record a full new studio album.”
Rock’n’Rolf has written ten new tracks for Shadowmaker, among them are the midtempo opener ‘Piece Of The Action’, the uptempo number ‘Shadowmaker’ (“roughly the same pace as ‘Angel Of Mercy’”) and the monumental eight-minute track ‘Dracula’, based on Bram Stoker’s novel and the Christopher Lee movies. “To me, Shadowmaker is a very special album because there was no pressure, timewise or otherwise. I feel it’s clearly audible that this relaxed attitude helped me to write one of the strongest Running Wild recordings of all time.”
Shadowmaker will be released worldwide on Steamhammer/SPV in April 2012, a cooperation which the Running Wild captain refers to as “a real stroke of luck and ideal partnership”. Rock’n’Rolf: “SPV/Steamhammer are a long-established label with an experienced team, so I know that Running Wild are in good hands. Besides, my band and the record company are based in the same german city (Hannover), which can’t be a disadvantage for a smooth cooperation.”
Olly Hahn, A&R at Steamhammer/SPV, is equally delighted: “That a style-defining act such as Running Wild signed with us comes close to an accolade. Band leader Rock’n’Rolf is one of the metal scene’s last originals, and we at SPV are unbelievably proud that his choice fell on us."
EDIT du 20 janvier 2012 (pochette + tracklist) :
1. Piece of the Action 4:25
2. Riding on the Tide 4:18
3. I Am Who I Am 4:51
4. Black Shadow 5:13
5. Locomotive 4:35
6. Me & The Boys 5:00
7. Shadowmaker 4:25
8. Sailing Fire 4:14
9. Into the Black 4:57
10. Dracula 7:29
