Running Wild - Rogues En Vogue
After a span of excellent records Running Wild peaked with The Rivalry in 1998, Victory was still high quality material and 2002's The Brotherhood also came in as a competent album. There is nevertheless a clear tendency in this development and therefore I was quite nervous towards the release of Rogues En Vogue, when I first saw the awful cover I wasn't feeling any better.
So it is with great disappointment that I must conclude that my anxiety wasn't ungrounded, Rogues En Vogue is lacking both quality and creativity.

The first song Draw The Line is one of the acceptable songs on the album, the changes in structure is enough for it to become modestly interesting, a fine driving solo is also included, still not the most exciting track.

With Angel Of Mercy I begin to feel a clearer connection to the older Running Wild, a melodic guitar lick and a powerful rhythm path gets it onto a good start. Rolf's expressive voice holds up the dynamic chorus pretty well too, so all in all a good track.
This is in fact one of the few songs where the different use of guitars gives it a more sophisticated touch, I think that some of the album's problems come from the fact that Rolf played all the guitar parts himself, the huge dynamic that used to be present on the double guitar front is missing on this record to a great extent

Skeleton Dance runs down the mid-tempo road that has become a more and more travelled path in recent Running Wild releases. The smart details inject an element of surprise in an otherwise rather standard composition, not much really stands out and I miss a much more apparent bass.

To follow tradition, Skull And Bones is the first of two longer epics, sadly the song relies on a chorus that's rather weak and boring. On the positive side the drumming is varied and thrilling and the soft guitar intro/outro gives it a nice wrapping.

The rather anonymous bass approach in the first songs sees an end with Born Bad, Dying Worse, having a thick and groovy character, unfortunately this song has also been given a rather dull guitar solo spot, something that occurs too often on this release. The down to earth but no less vigorous guitar riff works out well opposed to the plain lead harmony, so an OK track.

Black Gold suffers from a tedious melody line, a predictable riff and a chorus without much charisma, I hate to say this but it sounds as filler material.

No doubt that Running Wild has become groovier with time, Soul Vampires is in fact a decent, slow and heavy track with a solid fundament. A bit on the simple side but with great drum and bass collaboration.

The album's title track feeds on a fast and intense lead melody that suits it well, the wry twists found here and there are welcomed aspects in a album with an otherwise "too safe" direction. The chorus is neither good nor bad, a bit like the song itself.

If I should describe Winged And Feathered I will end up saying a lot of the things already pointed out, fact is that it is unexciting, lacking in inspiration, decently performed, has a few successful moments but generally soon forgotten.

Dead Man's Road has a stomping rhythm that quickly becomes monotone, lacking both cool ideas and melody.

After a meagre result in the first ten songs I was hoping that the 10-minute epic The War would make up for some of it, but actually it only got worse. Part of the verse section sounds forced, the pronouncement of the war in the refrain is almost comic, the rhythm is repetitive, the break in the middle is terrible and what's up with that plain and overly happy guitar melody in a song about World War I, it simply doesn't fit in.

Static, monotone and dragging are words that come to mind when I elaborate on this album, it's like the inspiration has dried out. This band has made so many great albums and I really do hope that Rock ´n´ Rolf will raise the flag higher next time around, or perhaps just draw the line.
His voice sounds decent and the music fairly well played, there is just far between the really cool passages, both compositional and delivery wise.

The production is a bit awkward, the lead guitars sound rather hollow and distant, the bass is mixed too low, the overall power level is easily felt but I miss a more coherent and transparent picture.

The actual content of the songs is all classic Running Wild: Greed, selfishness, conflicts, pirates, war and fighting against such negative oppositions. They have a decent quality but it's not like they leave you enchanted.

Dare I say Running Wild's lowest point ever. I'm afraid I have to.

Written by Tommy
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Show all reviews by Tommy

Ratings

Tommy: 4.5/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.


This article has been shown 3730 times. Go to the complete list.



RevelationZ Comments


Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Monday, September 26, 2005
RevelationZ Staff

View Profile


Comments: 245
I used to love this band especially "Blazon Stone" through "Masquerade" and its a shame to see them dip to such lows as this abomination. They need something to shake their foundations because the formula is finally getting stale. So much could be done with their unique "theme" and it's just not happening anymore.

Posted by Alanna (Staff)
Monday, September 26, 2005

Comment by Carsten (Anonymous) - Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Really one of the greatest band ever but since Black hand inn it´s been downhill for them

Death or glory, Pile of skulls and Black hand inn will always be classic for me but The last 4-5 albums have missed the original touch. The Rivalry included not a good album at all


Comment by anton Nymann (Anonymous) - Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Rolf is a greedy bastard! He has put the money for the production in his own pocket


Comment by JesusChrist (Anonymous) - Friday, November 18, 2005
One of their stronger albums! This one becomes classic all in all. Black Hand Inn wasn't too good and since then it went downhill, but this new album kills! One of the best albums in 2005! I am bowing down.


Comment by Jorn (Anonymous) - Friday, April 20, 2007
Simply an awesome tune! I love this album. After a shitty The Rivalry and an even worse Masquerade this is all the glory this band stands for. Extremely recommended to everyone!











Review by Tommy
None

Released by
gun - 2005

Tracklisting
1. Draw The Line
2. Angel Of Mercy
3. Skeleton Dance
4. Skull And Bones
5. Born Bad, Dying Worse
6. Black Gold
7. Soul Vampires
8. Rogues En Vogue
9. Winged And Feathered
10. Dead Man's Road
11. The War


Style
Power Metal

Related links
Visit the band page

Running Wild - Official Website

Other articles
The Brotherhood - (Tommy)

20 Years In History - (Tommy)

The Rivalry - (Tommy)

Reissues (x8) - Part I (Gates to Purgatory - Branded and Exiled - Under Jolly Roger - Port Royal) - (Brian)

Reissues (x8) - Part II (Death Or Glory : Blazon Stone : Black Hand Inn : Masquerade) - (Brian)



Z supported shopping






Ratings
1 - Horrifying
2 - Terrible
3 - Bad
4 - Below average
5 - Average
6 - Good
7 - Very good
8 - Outstanding
9 - Genius
10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

More details...


Daily Spotlight
D:A:D - Riskin' It All
CoverThis was my first D:A:D album and in fact the first time I really started taking notice of Rock music back in the day. 1991 t....
Read full review















Retro Reviews

(Michael)
Hanoi Rocks - Two Steps from the Move
Cover"Two Steps from the Move" is Hanoi Rocks' swan song and the last real album from the classic Finnish band. The album is the most sophisticated release from Hanoi Rocks. The reason was the band bro....
Read full review






(Morten)
Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman vs. No More Tears
CoverIt wasn't too many years ago, that when you said the two words Ozzy Osbourne, you knew that you were talking about the integrity of heavy metal, but a few years ago that all changed and Ozzy went from....
Read full review








Archive
 · Albums of the month
 · Retro Reviews
































Back to the top - © 2002-2011 RevelationZ Magazine - Back to the top