I have always been a big
Running Wild fan, and albums like The Rivalry and Black Hand Inn are classics in my world. Holding in my hands the bands newest offering named The Brotherhood I can't decide if I should be glad or slightly disappointed, I'm somewhere in between.
The tempo is lowered quite a bit from most of what they have done in the past and in all fairness I miss the ultra fast
Running Wild anthems, they almost always contained the most incredible catchy melodies.
Welcome To Hell is one of the groovy songs that successfully manage to establish a drive that keeps entertaining thanks to intriguing bass chords and great teasing guitar spots.
I admit that the central guitar riff is on the simple side, but there is a certain cool dynamic to the flow of this song.
I was really happy when
The Brotherhood blasted through my speakers the first time; at once I knew that this one ruled. The ultra melodic and intelligently packed guitar leads are a
Running Wild trademark and this wonderful creation is one of Rolf's best, the changeful structure keeps your interest feed all the time. Expressive and smart drumming adds another layer of sophistication.
An interesting feature on The Brotherhood is the epic instrumental
Siberian Winter, nearly 6 and half minutes of intense Power Metal with a fantastic mid-section passage, bringing the Siberian theme fully to life through moody choirs and classical guitar rhythms.
Pirate Song makes me think of older
Running Wild stuff, its driving double bass fundament is a perfect setting for the catchy anthem-like chorus line to unfold. Solid guitar soloing and a harmonious lick all ads up to a really cool and welcomed fast paced song.
I wouldn't say that Rolf has a stunning voice but it has its own rough charm, his more melodic approach as in this song fits in very well too.
In the best
Running Wild tradition we are offered a 10-minute epic with
The Ghost, the rather melodic chorus line, the eastern sounding guitar tunes, the mega fast rhythm passages and the mid-section bridge fuelled by a striking guitar riff are all spectacular moments.
The biggest problem with this album is the mid-tempo songs that groove around without ever becoming really interesting,
Soulstrippers with its tiresome chorus and unexciting rhythm path is one of them, the uninspiring
Detonator another.
Dr. Horror doesn't impress either; it's heard somewhat before by this band and just so much better and with more nerve and power.
I'm not saying that this album contain songs that are directly bad and lacking drive; some are just left way behind the best in pure quality, being low on real original ideas or memorable elements to safe them from mediocrity.
A closer listening to the drum effort will unveil that a lot of thought and technicality are worked into these songs. The rhythm guitar work is solid without being sparkling and the bass performance is tight and plays a central part in some important passages throughout the album.
The lyrics can be labelled classic
Running Wild and that's all fine; greed, wars, historical dramas, solidarity and fighting for your rights, some are well put together, others OK.
The sound is pure and very professional, not as powerful as could have been wished for being a bit too polished, but still very good.
It's surely not
Running Wild's most elaborate piece of work but
The Brotherhood,
Pirate Song and
The Ghost enter the line of some of the bands best songs.
Written by
Tommy Thursday, December 30, 2004
Show all reviews by TommyRatingsTommy: 6.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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